Man, what an exciting morning. Wind conditions were perfect for my riverbottom set, so I headed out this morning. It was a little windy, but not bad really. But was pretty cold, around 39 or so....

Anyway, about the time it was light enough to see and shoot, I see a deer walking toward me. At 30 yards she stops and puts her head down. I remember thinking "Wow, that's a nice doe!" So I put the glass on "her" and saw a rack!! Ok, my heart went from 0-60 in about......1 second!

So I'm looking, and I just can't quite make out whether it's a legal buck or not. I watched him work several scrapes and became about 90% sure it was a decent 8 point, EXACTLY what I'm looking for. He had really dark, chocolate horns, but I still just wasn't 100% sure......So I let him walk.

After beating my head against the tree for a while, I decided I made the right decision. Here it is, October 25 (which is the earliest I've ever seen a buck on stand, btw.....) and I don't want to go against my morals and accidentally shoot an illegal deer. He was 30 yards broadside, w/ his head down most of the time......

I would be lying if I said a small part of me doesn't regret that decision, but I'll sleep ok tonight knowing it was the right one. Man, I'm gettin close....This is the 4th straight year these AR's have saved a buck's life....

OMG

I about peeded my pants reading this post.

What are the AR's? BTW I know you made the right choice. My rule is if I have to think about it, don't shoot.

Thanks germ.....I about peed my pants when I saw him... Man alive is that ever exciting.....

The AR's in place state a legal buck must have at least 4 points, 1" or longer, on one side.

I hunted there 2 weeks ago, and there are some changes......It's getting HOT down there. There are rubs and scrapes all over that weren't there 2 weeks ago......Unfortunately, it'll be at least a week before I can hunt it again....[&o]

Mobo

You do not look good, cough, cough, you need a sick day

Good gravy man that is the spot where its gonna happen! I feel it! Good choice to not shoot. It would suck to have any regrets about your first and if it didn't meet AR you would have those regrets. You are looking a bit pale.....

Hate when that happens. I passed up a whole years worth of bucks thinking, the next one will be bigger. Last day came, and saw nothing. I did kick myself that year.

Just wait for that one you don't have to think about.

You're gonna get a no doubter, one of these days.

I do too, burnie. I do too. I've done that as well. Get greedy and end up w/ nothing.

jm, you're right, and I know you are......but man I wanted to shoot that deer!!! BAD......It's hard not to let the arrow fly when I get to full draw...[8D]

The time will come thats for sure, dang AR's. I know im gonna be sick on monday, the weather is just looking too good to me!

I'm just glad that you SAW a buck. I feel pretty confident that you'll kill him as long as it's not a bedder deer at 42 yards and your standing on a big rock

I'm with Germ, judging my the inaccuracies in your typing, I think you're sick and you need to go home