My first deer kill was a rifle, a 12 point buck, at the ripe age of 13 yrs old. Beginners luck, second year hunting. I remember shooting at it and getting down and looking for blood and finding nothing, my uncle came over and looked with me, and told me i missed. then got back in my stand sitting on a power line clearing and realised i shot at it a lot further than i remembered and got back down again to look out further. The fresh snow was sprayed with blood as i literaly ran following the heart shot blood trail into the thick pines for 50 yrds. there lay the most incredible sight i ever had at that time in my life. The only thing that topped that moment of excitement was the first time i got laid some years later!
My first bow deer was almost as exciting but I spine shot her and watched her expire after 2 more shots to kill her. It was sad and I always hope the deer runs out of sight now before it dies. I then realised why the indians said little prayers for the animal they just harvested and i have been doing the same since then.