Well, this is a rather long story but it began yesterday morning. I decided to go hunt a spot of public land that I have sole access to for a 5 day permit. I had little time to get out and scout the property but stopped by it Thursday afternoon on my way home from work. After walking part way into the woods I decided that I had a spot or two that looked good so I decided to back out for the night and return Satruday morning ready to hunt. After a very slow morning yesterday I finally noticed a small buck in the distance making it's way towards me. He proceeded to come to 13 yards and completely passed by me with out thinking twice. After staying in the tree for a few more hours and not seeing a thing I decided to call it a morning with plans to return in the afternoon. The plan was to return about 3pm for the nights hunt. Unfortunitly I wasn't able to return till 5pm. Thus giving me about 1.5 hours till dark. I quickly made my way up the tree and prepared for a short night. Other then a small racoon walking around the base of my tree I didn't see a thing for over an hour. Just as it started getting dark I hear movement over my left shoulder in the distance. I look over to see a deer making it's way towards me. Now some of you already know that I have never harvested a deer yet. So in the dim light I instantly decided that I would take the shot should this deer present itself. Now here is the sad part. As this deer made it's way I had absolutly no visual of the small set of antlers on his head. A small 3 point with 2 on a side and 1 on the other. Even as this deer came to within 12 yards of me I was unable to see the antlers on his head. I proceeded to draw my bow just as he went behind the tree I was positioned in. I quickly let up and repositioned on the other side and re-drew for the shot. By this point of the night I had a very clear view of my sight pins and the deer. Just as I released my arrow I lost sight of my peep. I hit the deer and he instantly turned back in the direction he had come from. I heard him go about 20 yards and drop. From my location I was unable to even see the deer at this point but I could tell that he was struggling and trying to move. Since it was so dark I decided to stay in the tree for another 1.5 hours waiting. I worked my way down the tree and just as I hit the ground I heard him move again. Not sure how he was hit(and thinking he was a she at this point) I decided to back out and return in the morning.

Upon arrival this morning I was shocked to come around the hill to see this deer try to stand up as it saw me approach. It wasn't until I walked right up on him that I even realized it was a small buck.

To say the least today was a rather emotional day. Knowing that I put on such a terrible shot in the dark lastnight caused me a very sleepless night. Then discovering today that it was actually a buck made my terrible feeling even worse. I have finallly come to accept it and am now happy with the final outcome even though I had wished things went down differently. For me to finally take my first buck is a feat in itself and one that I am truely glad to get out of the way. And I am able to walk away from the experience much wiser and know that things will be different should the situation arrise again.

I will get the measurements tomorrow and get the pictures posted tomorrow night. Unfortunitly I won't be able to contribute a bunch of points to our team this year but a few in a wierd way is better then a zero. A huge thank you to Peakrut for helping me field dress and drag him out this morning!