The year before my dad passed away I was 17. I had met up with him mid day to have lunch and we sat, backed up against a tree, talking about the morning events.
As we talked, we heard the unmistakable sound of deer crashing down off of the ridge in front of us and heading our way. We both grabbed our guns and as they came into sight we both said simultaneously "Doe, doe and another doe" The excitement level dropped and I lowered by gun. It was then that I caught sight of a coyote pushing the deer. It saw us and broke off from the deer and came to my right as deer passed on my dad's side to the left. I decided it needed to die so I threw one at it running (Marlin 336 in 30-30) missing completely.
I heard my dad groan "ahhhh!" I turned and looked over his shoulder to see a 140+ inch 5x5 standing 40 yards away. Of course, the shot spooked the deer and they all bolted. We both shot in a Hail Mary attempt but didn't touch a hair.
Unfortunately that was the last year my dad got to hunt and that would have been his largest buck to date. Still kick myself for that one.