See, we listen. I'm glad you didn't have to write another "I can't find the deer I hit" post. We are proud of you! Jim

I have had the same 6 pointer in the same area 2 mornings in a row now. We are in the rut in NJ but it seems that they arent breeding yet but still chasing and checking scrapes so if this is the case in your area he might be back again tommorrow. Good hunting, hope you nail em'. Oh and thumbs up on the restraint you showed.

Kill em' Wide and High!!!

Steven J. Collins (Trock63)
Bowdaddy Productions

Good for you. You are a great hunter! A slob would have taken a poke at him and you did the right thing. Like the others said, you should be proud.

You didn't booger him so he may come right back through there again...soon.

Hang in there.

I feel your pain brother! I had a 330 class elk at 12 yards for nearly 10 minutes this fall and couldn't get a clear shot on him. Don K. was the caller, and was about 15 yards behind me. I drew back on the bull twice! Almost had a shot if he would of just taken another step! At one point I could see his entire body except for a small pine branch covering his vitals! I thought for a second that I could shoot through it, but came to my sences very quickly. Don called that bull in a total of three times, each time to within 40 feet of me. Each time there was a small variable that kept me from releasing my arrow.

Man! Now I'm frustrated again! Thanks for nothing 445! <img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hindsight though, I'm glad I didn't risk a low percentage shot. I'm sure you will in the future too. That was my first ever elk hunt, and I could of tagged out on a monster, but just the experience and the new memories is enough to make my hunt.
ArcticBowMan's Hunting Photo's

Good for you - you did great, he'll be back, if not, make adjustments with your stand location. Key in on the doe bedding areas and funnels between them. 50% of the hunt is getting the location, you have that, now you should be able to zero in.

Post us a picture when you get him,... OK?

Been there, done that. In the aftermath, you think, I should have at least tried a shot. But you are too well educated a bowhunter to believe yourself. You are one mighty fine bowhunter, 445.

you did good!!! some times it is hard to come to your senses and make the right decision but my friend you did it and as long as you make those kind of decisions you will loose very few animals and the ones that are lost you will at least know that it was not because of a poor decision.
there are people at work that would of taken that shoot or broadside neck shots and they are the same people that are always talking about not being able to find there deer. they also do not understand the concept of a good shot or a bad one, they lack the respect/common sence. oh well good decision

Brian, knowing the kind of hunter you are first hand I have no dought you will at least see him again. Where are you hunting, not the horse farm or that other piece of property are you. If you need some help call me <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>. Just kidding, too expensive to hunt here. The best time to see him again would be the very next morning IMO. Last year I missed a buck in the morning and returnrd to the same tree in the afternoon and before I could get settled in he was right there. I did manage to get him, you might remember my 5 minute hunt. After the first 24 or so hours I think he will wonder off only to return if a doe brings him back or at ruts end. You know he is in the area so put in the time and things might work out. Best of luck my friend. Send me the pics.

THanks guys for the kind words. Even my wife was proud that I didn't take the shot. But she says that she doesn't expect anything less than what I did.

Rick congrats on the moderator position. We should be cleaned up in no time.

Well this morning I feel good and bad. Good for not risking a bad shot and that someday we can pass each other. Bad because the weather forcaster said it would be raining here at 6 am and NOW its 7:40 and NOT I repeat NOT raining and too late to go out now. I have to work the next 3 nights so NO hunting for me and On tuesday MY wife and I close on our house down the shore and will be moving in. I have off 6 days from tuesday till sunday so maybe I can get out one of those nights maybe.


I am glad I stayed with this area all season. WHen I found this spot I saw that there were a lot of interconnecting trails just coming from every direction. Does are all over this place. Even thought I am not far from the road as most hunters wouldn't even know its here but when I found it and got into the tree from up above you can tell where the trail come and go from. I knew it would only be a matter of time till the rut and the bucks come to find my area do to all the does in the area. I have seen spikes and 3 or 4 forks. I did see one day walking to my stand a real nice buck but he got a little spooked. Not real bad as he didn't know what happened but ran about 40 yards and stopped and continued to walk away. SO I know it would be a matter of time till one came around and yup yesterday was the day. It was a great hunt and just seeing him from 7 yards was exciting beyond belief.

I don't know when I will be able to get out and hunt him again but maybe next week who knows.

Thanks guys for the encouraging words as I will continue to hunt this guy in the days ahead. I only have until the 23 of Nov before my permit bow is over so I have to get out there sometime or atleast I hope to. Well that is my story and hope you all have better luck with your deer.

Brian

you may want to move 60 yards towards where he came from if possible to fake him out...he kinda knows your spot