I choked tonight. But let me start from the beginning.

Got down to the leased farm about 2:45pm. The wind was SSE so I couldnt hunt my stand. But, I wanted to put some corn out and I decided to get down and dirty in the bottom where all the deer keep passing me by. Got all geared up and headed out. Now I didnt want to use the wheel barrow for the corn because its so noisy, so I decided to just throw the 50 lb bag on my shoulder. It was cool, so i figured I wouldnt sweat. All was going good until I got about 30 yds from the stand. The corn bag kept slipping down my shoulder so I went to shift it back up and my back went into a major spasm. I put everything down and stretched. Didnt do much good. I took the corn the rest of the way to the stand and put it out.

I was in pain, but I didnt want to go home. I began th slow trek across the bottom. Hopping from high spot to high spot. I found dry high ground right around the thicket I always see them pass through from the stand. I back off as far as I can from the major trail (5 - 10 yds) and built a small ground blind. Winds in my face and its now 3:45pm. I sit until 5:45pm. Alls quiet. Sunset is 6:15pm. I decide to stand up and move 10 ft to my right and stand behind this tree. If the deer come the way I' ve seen, it' ll be a 4 yd shot, and they' ll never wind or see me. Well, when I move I dont bring 2 things, 1) my grunt call, 2) my quiver. I figured one arrow would be all I need and I was planning on just staying quiet tonight. Well, I no sooner get set up and I hear something directly behind me. I turn and see a Buck working a tree over. Looks like a 4 pt. He' s directly down wind of me and I figured I' d be busted for sure, but the I guess the scent lok and marshy odor gave me enough cover, because he never smelled me. He worked around the thicket for a while and headed, yes you guessed it, right to my stand! There, he met up with another buck, looked like a 6 point, and the spared a little. When they were through, one went to eat the corn I just threw out and the other walked right under my tree!!! They never do that when Im in it! B@stards. After about 15 mins, the walk off, not to be seen again.

Well, now its past sunset. 6:30pm. I look across the woods and here comes this doe. Not hugh, but nice. Shes heads right for me. I get ready. When shes 20 yds out, I draw and hold. Well, she stops. Didnt see me, but stopped. My back is screaming at me. Cant hold the draw and let down. Unseen. To the right now comes what appears to be a button buck. The two deer meet up and continue to walk towards me. I' m running out of light. Finally, they stop and turn broadside 4 yds away! The doe turns her hear away to lick herself so I draw, put the 15 yd pin behind the shoulder, release..... Deer scramble, the doe I shot at is now standing 4 yds off to my right, unhurt!! I F' ing missed!! And to add insult to injury, she' s stand 4 yds away, with a perfect quartering away opportunity, and my quiver is 10 feet behind me. I' m standing there shaking in disbelief. Pissed, dumbfounded, in pain, all at once. Eventually the doe walks away. But before I can even turn to start packing up, the Button comes back! Its getting dark and I want to look for my arrow, so I just say screw it and turn my back on him (remember he' s 4 yds away) and walk away. He lets me walk to my stool, sit down, grab my arrows and doesnt move! I look at him and say " Dude, you better run" That got him moving.

I grabbed my flashlight and quickly found my arrow. From where it was I had to have shot over her back. No blood or hair. Thank goodness, a complete miss. I grabbed all my stuff, and quickly exited.

So, I blew it. Had the perfect plan, and they came just as I thought, but I didnt execute. Its only the 2nd time I' ve released on a deer and I was excited, but its no excuse for missing such a short shot. Im just glad I missed clean. I will chalk it up to a learning experience.

Things I learned tonight: 1) Relax and concentrate before you shoot. 2) When they are that close, compensate. I should have aimed at the low vitals instead of right on being she was that close. 3) bring the F' ing quiver with me when I move! I give myself the dumb F@ck award for that one. 4) Dont carry 50 lbs of corn on your shoulder for 1/2 mile and if I hurt my back again just go home. I couldnt hold the full draw long enough and I was uncomfortable when I shot. Its not an excuse, but it didnt help matters.

Well, I cant get out again until saturday. There are plenty of deer in the area there, so I' ll be back. A little wiser and hopefully a little more successful.

Goodnight, good hunting!