During rifle elk season here in Wyoming last year I had that same scenario happen. Hunting a wilderness area and was probably 3 miles in the backcountry. Taking a rest listening to elk bugle and a small raghorn bull walks withing 20 yards and lays down. He was clearly wounded in the front shoulder and later found out he was trying to catch up to the herd.

I am a 100% fair chase and ethical hunter. I knew that he was not worth packing out that far for as small as he was. But the ethical bone in my body made me put the crosshairs right between the eyes and put him out of his misery. I did not want to put another bullet into him, pack him out and find most of the meat may have been ruined.

Pulled the trigger and MISSED!!!!!! I know I tried the right thing and it didn't happen the way it needed too. But at least as an ethical hunter I don't have to know I let him lay there and die in pain and agony.

So go ahead and bash now!!!! Missed an easy shot but everyone has a bonehead story of missing the easy shot.