I had a shot at a 10 pt. I had scouted all summer in 1996. It was late Oct., and he was coming right at me along the fence row to check out the 6 point and does right next to me playing around. I drew back at about 50 yards as he steadily walked towards me on a pace that would bring about 25 yards to the north of me, at an angle from left to right. I held on his lung area and followed his slow walk to the other deer-45,40,35, and then he was behind a tree and I let down. The 6 point came to challange him and he stopped. The two bucks came together and pushed each other around-pretty exciting! Actually so exciting that when the shot presented itself at 25 yards I touched off the shot without even having the sight on the deer! Complete miss!

Here I had followed that buck for probably 20 seconds, calm, relaxed and in the crosshairs the entire way, but missed him because of a now-cured case of target panick.

I don't know, looking back I kind of wish I would have taken the shot when I had the chance the first time, but it just didn't feel right and I'd probably do the same thing again(maybe not the miss I hope!). Sometimes it's hard to tell what you'll do in the excitement of it all.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.