I was hunting last night near a rub and a scrape that I had recently discovered. About a half hour before dark, I had a little four point walk within yards of my stand and hang out for about 15 to 20 minutes. About 5 minutes after he left the area, the biggest deer I had ever seen came out from my right. He walked in a straight line to the rub and began putting a hurting on the tree. It was about a 20 yard shot and in my excitement I managed to miss him. The stand is on my land and I have a home on the property, also so I can hunt as often as I want. Have I scared this big boy away from the scrape or will he return? Also, how soon should I return to the area? Thanks for your input.

John

did he see you or know you shot at him, did he blow, we need more details

Did he high tail it out of there... or jump a few feet and walk off... Basically...DOES HE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?

Could go either way. Did he see you. If so move 50 to 100 yds. If the arrow just spooked him you will prolly be alright.

He never blew, just jumped and ran off the way he had come. I have also seen a spike and several does from this stand and none have seen me as of yet. It looked like the 4 point I saw was working on a seperate scrape and rub about ten yards from the one he was working. I can't say for sure if he saw me or knows I shot, I am hoping he was so involed with working the rub he just heard the arrow hit and ran. Thanks

John

i'd say ur still good

A big question is, did you find the arrow, or did you for sure see the arrow miss him. A did when hit will often jump like that. If you didn't find the arrow, you need to make sure you didn't hit him.
If you know it was a miss, then it sounds like you could be ok to go back.

Your best bet would be to move your stand to where you first saw the buck before he hit that tree. Reason...when he decides to come back in, he'll hang back until he knows all is clear.

This has happened to me. No shot. Just got busted by being skylined. I moved my stand to where I saw the buck before he skylined me. The next evening, the same buck moved up the hollow to the lower edge of the point I was originally located. He stood there and scanned that point before he committed to move to that point. He had NO idea that he stopped directly beneath me. I did decide to pass on him after taking a closer look.

I've used this strategy several different times with much success when a decent buck will hang up before commiting. Usually it's just before legal shooting light is gone.

If they hang up before making it to your stand, move it to where it will give you the advantage.

It works.

Lots of good advice already on this one. I think you should definitely move your stand, even if it's only 20 to 30 yards!!

i agree to rogeryenni would move the standa bit closer to where he entered the area