Two years ago, about 2 weeks into the season and I'm recovering from major shoulder surgery . . .

Around 7:30am, 3 does bust out of the thicket I'm hunting in and run across a wide open field and encounter another deer standing there. I could see a nice rack with the naked eye and just about dropped my binoculars when I saw the massive monster wearing the giant rack! The does danced nervously around him and then took off. For some unknown reason, he started trotting across the open field directly at me!!! Even though he had no clue I was there, he was looking right in my direction and I had NO CHANCE to draw my bow without being seen (tried it once before at this same location with disastrous results). He came in to 15 yards or LESS and turned broadside. There wasn't a stick of cover between me and him and I could even see his hooves. From where he stood motionless, it would have been maybe the easiest shot I've ever had . . . if I had been at full draw! I could not draw because there was NO CHANCE he'd miss the movement and with my recent surgery, my draw was a lengthy and difficult experience that I could just barely manage anyway. He finally began walking and once I drew, he was directly behind the heavy grapevines that I'd been unable to clear - again because of my surgery.

He walked away unscathed and I never saw him again![:@]