Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I have hunted this 180" buck all season long. Moved stands, scouted hard, watched him numerous times and everytime I think I would have an opportunity, he came out on the other trail with his does he hangs around. I could simply not pattern this buck.1st shotgun season I grunted him in to 80+ yards, and couldnt shoot it with my shotgun because it was not close enough, 2nd gun season we went over and I was tagged out but went with my buddy to try and get him one. Saturday night before we went out the farmer who owns the ground we hunt came and asked us how we were making out. He then mentioned that in the same timber I had been bowhunting this buck, a guy he lets shotgun hunt had killed a monster buck, scoring around 180". My beast is dead, I feel so dishearted and broken apart, am I selfish for feeling like this? I killed a 140+" buck during the 1st gun season, but I sill feel like I almost "needed" that buck. I kept telling my friend that I was going to kill that big buck with my bow during the late season. I am devestated, and I can't do anything about it.

I appriciate you reading my story, and answer me this, am I being selfish for feeling almost as if I "deserved" or desired this buck to a point where I feel sick to my stmach thinking about it.
I am including a picture of my 1st shotgun buck, he is a beautiful buck, but he is not the 180" buck I was after ...

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I almost know how your feeling. Here's my similar story but a happy outcome so far. http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1840085

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Put a scope on that slug gun and never have that problem again.

But yes, I feel your pain.
My friend and I scouted/hunted a particular drop tine for months only to have it show up in the local newspaper with some other archer.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

im sure wed all feel that way, but thats life. mabye next year. enjoy the meat!!!

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Kick in the nuts???? Yes.

Having a feeling of the deer being 'stolen'??? No.

I'd feel bad too, but it happens all the time.Chased adeer all year long and then some dude who bought his liscense the night before jump-shoots him on the gun opener from a fencerow in his uncles back yard, right next to my property. Been there, done that. Last year, still bummin'

Just have to start over next year.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Congradulate the shooter and move on. I'm sure you know you have no specific right to a deer just because you have been hunting it. I sure know what you mean though. It takes a ton of hard work and luck to bag one of those brutes. Theres more out there.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Yeah, it sure is tough. You are being selfish. But, I have felt the same exact way, and I was being selfish too. You'll get over it, it will just take another buck to make it happen.

While I was bow hunting this year I saw a six point buck that was really big, and really aggressive a bunch of times. Normally I can call does right to me, but when he was chasing them, they were just trying to not get raped! Even though he only had six points his antlers were big and thick, and he seemed like a fun deer to hunt. I decided that if he came by, I was going to take him. The next time I saw him he was chasing a doe and went right past my stand. I had only been in the stand for 30 seconds at best. My line was still tied to the bow, so I decided to wait. After he's past, I got the bow untied and started grunting. He almost came back, as if he couldn't decide whether to fight or well, you know...

Anyway, about 1 min later after he'd made it over a river (really a creek, but it's called a river), and onto another piece of property, a shot rang out and the doe came running back through. But, with out the buck. The part that really pisses me off is that it wasn't gun season yet!

Good luck, and try to have fun! Don't let it ruin your season. I've found that the best thing for me to do in that situation, is to find a new place to hunt that I have not been to before. It makes it exciting again for some reason.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I think we all may feel this way ,espeacially when you've worked so hard at trying to pattern him ,but you took a great buck as well and should be satisfied . Sure he wasn't the big guy ,but he's certainly not too darn shabby as well. It doesn't alway's work out the way we think it should ,but that's hunting.
Just consider this ,not many of us have even got close to a buck of the status that you took .So you ought to be pleased ,you can't take every great buck in your neck of the wood's ,you need to share .

nubo

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Well, your not hunting behind a fence of raised deer that you paid for so there is no gaurantee. We don't own the wild ones, they are fair game. All you can do is learn from it and move on. Decide what kind of bowhuntingwill work for you in the future, stay ethical and most of all be happy with what you do decide to kill. Hunting specific bucks isnt for everyone and most of the time disheartening for most.

The hard work you put inand lessons you've learned this year, apply them to future hunts and or bucks.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I never felt sorry for a guy that lived in Pike County Illinois, sorry.....

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Sounds like you put in a lot of time for that deer, so be disappointed that you didn't get him, but don't think that you alone deserved to kill that buck. Be happy for the guy that got him. Besides, I'm sure you'll have plenty of other opportunities at B&C bucks where you live.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I think we all feel for you a little bit. Does it suck that you hunted all season long with many encounters with the big buck, and this guy comes in one day and kills him? Yes it does, but he had permission, and THAT'S HUNTING. You scored a heck of a buck too, and with bore sights that's not an easy task either. Besides as another has said you live in Pike Co and I'm sure you'll have another big buck encounter. Where i live id die for the one you shot.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

actually i have no idea how you feel, im not lucky enough to hunt in the greatest whitetail woods place in the world, the placei hunt i could maybe try to go after a 100 " buck, but its not really the same.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

My gosh, be happy with the one you got. He is a beautiful buck. I understand you being disappointed, but life and deer hunting goes on. I know in Illinois a 140 class deer may be average, but in N.E. Louisiana it would be a trophy of a lifetime for most hunters. Don't worry about being a littleselfish. We all are at times, especially when it comes to hunting.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

You and SB Gobblers should get together and comfort each other.;) That sucks man but such is hunting. Better to have had that happen than him get hit by a car.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Heck i have never even seen a 170-180 class buck in the wild.
You should be happy justknowing there bucks like that around where you hunt.
But I do see where your comming from after hunting him that hard,
hay like others sead! thats hunting! And there WILL!l be other big bucks.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Been there, done that... chased a nice buck only to have it killed during gun season... Just gotta move on and find another big boy... thats the beauty, deer grow big in only 4 yrs..

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

80 yards not close enough? Get a muzzleloader! I understand your frustration, but don't let it get you down. Usually where there is one big one there are two or three. This time of year you never know what will come roaming through. Good luck

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Yup what he said, shame you only got a 140" deer..;) DUDE, I've been at it a lot longer than you and I don't have a 140" deer let alone that monster you shot last year, no sympathies from me...lol that's the difference between PA and IL...again, quote above. :D

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Consider yourself fortunate to beable to hunt them and not be hunting men like the boys in Iraq at Christmas time. Consider yourself fortunate to have a woods to hunt where an "Also Ran" buck measures 140 inches. And then to have a 180 class buck running around too. You're a fortunate young man. Enjoy the hunt. Sure it's tough to set a plan and fail. That's hunting. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. Sometimes the other guy wins. If this is the worse disaster to strike you you'll be a very fortunate man. Enjoy the challenge and the hunt. That 180 wouldn't eat any better than the small buck. We should all be so lucky to have a place to hunt that is obviously not controlled that holds this quality of deer.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I understand your disapointment.It is definitely natural to feel that way.But if hunting were so predictable that you could guarantee the outcome what challenge would it be.The hunter didn't shoot your deer,he shot a buck you were after.I know you understand the difference.
We all face those possibilities when pursuing specific deer.The hunter who shot that buck had as much right to it as you did given he had permission to hunt on the land he was on.Be happy for him,as you would hope he would be for you.I am sure as a result of the effort you put in for this particular buck it has made you a better hunter,benefit from that knowledge going forward.
Hey,and congratulations you killed a beautiful buck,an animal that is a legitimate trophy any where in the country. Be grateful for that and the hunting opportunities that are available to you.Many of us would give a body part to have those opportunites in our home area's.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Words of Wisdom!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

It's tough, but it happens. Get back out there and see what else is around. Concentrate on having fun. That's what this is all about.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I'd give my left....thumb;)for the buck you killed with your shotgun. I've had it happen to me also, not with a 180" buck, but I know the feeling. You'll get over it, plus you still have over a month of bowseason left here in IL. Get out there and tag a buck. The week between Christmas and New Years is usually really good around here in So. IL. Don't give up.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

First of all, I understand where you all are coming from, but I take offense to you who said "I dont feel sorry for a guy who lives in Pike County" That is about the dumbest thing I have heard, because the deer are bigger here than where you hunt, all of the sudden I have no feeling? To hell with that, I am SICK of being critiqued for living where I do. I am fortunate, I know, but you don't have to act like because of where I live, my situation shouldn't matter, theres more deer that are big out there. If you even read my story, you would understand that I was hunting ONE buck that I was trying my damndest to connect on, and You say to me that YOU can't be sorry for me because you ASSUME that I will connect on a bigger deer. Hunting here is just the same, IF NOT harder than where you hunt, and because they grow bigger here, you think that I shouldn't feel any pain for this? This aggrivates me.
I live in Pike County, big deal, you can't understand my frustration because of what? I don't understand your coment Double Creek, and Rob. Why would you say that? I did not ask for your sympathy. I asked if anyone has been in my position before, so I really don't appriciate your comments. Am I fortunate to hunt here? YES Does that mean that I have no heart or love for the sport? NO I am sick of people acting like I should not care about all the hard work and effort I put injust because I hunt In Pike County.
For the people wo answered my question correctly, I appriciate the input, and I know I will move on and find a different buck to pursue, its just one of those spurt of the moment feelings that makes your heart drop when you find out all of your work didn't pay off.

I appologise if I was too rough, but I have taken too much crap for just hunting in Pike County, I am fortunate, I know, but there is no need to jump all over me when all I asked is if anyone has felt like I have.

I did not ask for sympathy.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I think they are basically letting you know how fortunate you are to live in an area of this country that constantly produces trophy class bucks. That buck you shot would be the talk of the county where I live in NY. They simply do not exist.I would consider myself the luckiest man on earth just to be able to see a buck that scored 180"..

I also agree you should get a scope for that shotgun.. You would have had that deer and not typing the blues so the blame is on who??

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I totally agree, and would like to be your friend...

Can I come and hunt with you, at your place, to make you feel better?

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

So ya live in pike co. o.k. thats cool,
Anyway,back to the kid who started this thing,Yup it was a kick in the gonads,But heres a secret.There is alwayse a bigger one out there,and from the looks of your pic. you have alot of years ahead of you.Stay focussed and keep doing what you are doing because it seems to be working for you.Most people dont get in there and get to know the big bucks so personally before they shoot em,Thats why they get one every now and then.No sir,You keep at it and they will be more common.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Would I be disappointed? Sure, I do see where you are coming from... But the good thing is thatthere's always going to be that 180 class buck out there, when you're hunting a good area. Even though the big buck is gone this year, next year or the year after, their will be another one in there to chase of that size. I've had similar things happen like that to me. Just have to find a different deer, for the next season. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck!

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

I fully expected Mowtown to come up with something like this. He let me down or are you...:D

Hey Deer slayer. They were just ribbing you. Based upon your origanal post and your reaction to the replys, I think you are out of line. You asked. I personaly don't care. Why did you want or it seems need that 180 anyways?

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

OMG kid, lighten the hell up, do you not understand the ...lol behind things, do you not understand the smilies that are there to show emotions? I was basically congratulating you on a fantastic 140" buck, bigger than anything I've ever taken and if you can't see the humor in that post or the blessings behind it then cry me a freakin river, quit your sniveling and guess what, you are blessed to hunt land in Pike County IL and if you think that's harder than hunting my area, I'm laughing my ass off. Last year you shot a 170", this year saw a 180" and shot a 140"....I've hunted with a bow for 25 years and never saw a 180", nor shot a 140" let alone a 170" and believe me, I know a thing or two on how to do this. You can't shoot what doesn't exist in a given area. It's changing, perhaps in the future you'll envy my area, not the case yet.

You weren't too rough, just unjustifiably rude. :eek:

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

that sucks dude:(

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

Rob, I only took offense because there were NO lol's or smilies in that first comment, and you said "I have no sympathies" as if I asked you for it. i am not trying to disrespect anyone, but double creek seemed to try to offend me, and I take offense to someone making a comment toward my home county. I just went over the edge after those comments, I get offensive when people act as if I should not care about my feelings due to the area that I live. I appologize if I offended you or anything.And I am certainly not a "kid" when it comes to my hunting, I know my stuff, although i know you meant nothing by it. Although I hunt in the countries best area, I still feel pain when it comes to my hard work and dedication not following through, I am 100% satisfied, but also disheartened that a buck of that caliber that I had been hunting is dead... I am moving on, and again, I ask for no sympathy, please don't take any of my posts as if I want it. I am sorry if this offended anyone. Thank you for replying. I appriciate it, -DS-

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

DS, very well said and I too apologize if I came across harsh in the first post, I was seriously congratulating you on a very impressive 140" buck. I do know how you feel about having one get away like that. We put a lot of hard hours in stands and more for a specific animal. I did that for two years in a row hunting one specific animal, I passed all deer and some impressive ones, no 140's but impressive and ate tag soup. I know how you feel. There will be more, good luck and again, congrats on a fantastic animal yet another year in a row.

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

DeerSlayer

You are a kid!!! Well at least to many of us who have hunted " many "more years then you have been a live. Course we are still kids to Davemil but he is older then dirt itself. ;) :D Dave's reply was right on the money and a very good one. Many other's have hadverygood replies also.

Yes, most probably have felt sad that a specific buck had been taken by someone else. I know I have but that is life. That is why I love bowhunting. Thereis no sure thing of taking a specific buck in my area. I can't control the bucks movements, the other hunters nor would I want to. I want to beat him at his game!! The competition from other hunters make it even more of a challenge because there are alsoa part of his game. He survived 4.5 or 5.5 years of hard huntingpressure. I expect that when I hunt a specific mature buck here. I also know no matter how hard I scout/hunt him... someone might stumble across him and kill him. That's just the breaks. You suck it up and move on which I am sure you will do.

Tyler went through that this year. He hunted a specific buck for over a month. He did everything right. Had him under 20 yards twice butcouldn't get a shot off since otherbucks got in the way.2 hunters decided to put up a hunting shack right in the buck's bedding area and ruined the spot. They are walking disasters for ruining areasand I have dealt with them for years. I knew they would eventually ruin it for him. While I was proud of him for scouting and hunting the place all by himself at age 15, I was really impressed how he handledthat situation. He was bummed a bit no doubt but he moved on. He wasn't going to let them wreck his bow season.

Best of luck with the remainder of your season. Congrats on the 140 as he is a great buck!! Also good job on not pushing it when the big buck was just out of your range with shotgun. While you might be a kid to many of us older farts, you showed morematurity then many hunters had they been in your situation!! That impressing me.



Tim

RE: Who knows what I am feeling...?
 

theres always next yr. if it was that easy, we wouldnt want too do it. we luv the challenge