OKay - 3:00 today I decided to setup on my backyard buck - who I haven' t seen for a while - Used my old climber and got to about 12' on a good trail - About 4:00 a doe showed up just at the edge of the apple trees - 4:30 she moved in front of my stand about 35 yrds into a thicket - Just as she entered the thicket - here came the backyard buck following her from a far - He stopped to freshen a scrape and proceeded to follow the doe - The doe now closining on my stand (10' +-) is getting a little nervous and stamping her feet and sniffing - Just when I thought she was going to bust me the Buck moved into a good shooting lane at about 15 yrds and stopped - Figuring I better take my chance - I drew my bow (63# chekmate hunter) the doe let out a big snort and bounded for the creek - The buck looking at her had no idea I was letting a POC with a magnus broadhead fly in his direction - I thought it was a perfect shot - (10 ring on a natural look mckinze) - with a smack -the arrow hit right where I was aiming and only penetrated about 3.75 inches and the buck moved and joined the doe near the creek edge (20 yrds) - I watched as he limped on like nothing had happened still trailing the doe (not running or anything - sorta taking his time) - I watched them move through the trees until out of sight- I waited in my stand for 30 minutes trying to analize what went wrong - The shot looked and felt perfect - I climbed down retieved my arrow which had fallen out about 20 yards- and examined the tip - very end (1/32) was curled with bright red blood about 3.75 to 4" up the shaft - I waited 4 hours and just returned from locating the blood trail (very spotty)- and plan to search tomorrow giving him a night to bed and hopefully expire - Any idea what happeded? the shot wasn' t high enough for a spine shot and should have been back far enough - can' t figure it out - What do you think my chances are of recovery? If he is not falally injured will he stay in the area? MIght get lucky and have hooked one lung - We' ll see tomorrow - This just makes me sick!

Mike