I went out Fri afternoon, got in the stand about 3:30. Wind was all wrong again, I don't know what's going on, weird weather I guess. I didn't see anything.
woke up about 4:00 am on Sat. Got to my dad's house about 5:15, met up with my younger Brother and the three of us headed out. It was a little blustery but not too bad. I was in my stand well before light, all situated and quiet. Still dark, I hear a loud aggressive grunt. My hopes soar. I sit there for a few hours and nothing developed. About 8:00 I hear some noise to my left and downhill so My attention is turned that direction. I watch that way for awhile and then just happen to look right. Out of nowhere, and catching me offguard is a buck standing right in my shooting lane to the right, AT 12 YARDS!. I did not see him come in. he must have come out of the thick stuff in front of me. He has a huge body and is a very pretty dark almost chocolate colored brown. I knew right away he wasn't the monster I have seen but he is a TEN POINT!. A beautiful 2.5 year old with wide spread (My guess 17 inch). Longest point about 7 inches. Very good rack for his age, although kinda spindly and thin. At first thought I decide to let him walk. He turns to face me and looks directly in my eyes and walks CLOSER! He is now at 10 yards and staring into my eyes. He does this for about ten minutes without looking away. I remain totally still and slowly squint my eyes because they are starting to burn. To my surprise he decides I'm no threat and turns around and walks away. He gets about 18 yards out and turns broadside and begins to feed. At this point I can't resist (who am I to pass on a ten point)and slowly stand and aim. He looked bigger walking away. I settle the pin on his ribs and let fly. He hears my release and reacted instantly, drawing his legs up for launch. He ducked so low I don't know how he didn't fall on the ground. I have heard of deer doing this but never had it happen to me. My arrow whizzed right over his back and stuck in the ground. He was gone. I guess he was still tense from the stare down and went off like a hair trigger, ducking my arrow. I sit in the stand for a half hour replaying the scene. I still can't believe it. I can't stand it anymore so I get down to retrieve the arrow. Part of me almost believes that I possibly did hit him and had a passthru. I get the arrow and it is clean, except for the wet dirt on the business end. I get back in the stand and think about it for a while. I come to the conclusion that I am relieved that I missed. I got to have the experience with that buck and still keep my tag for the ear of the monster. He would have looked nice on the wall but not what I know is out there and waiting come the rut.
Pretty good day wouldn't you say?