I think you all know where this is going. I was in four foot grass overlooking a small short grass channel that had three trails leading into it. from my spot I could hit any deer that entered that clearing at no more than 40 yds. Well, come sunset, 15 minutes before legal quitting time, i got up and walked over to the three trail cluster. Spooked 4 deer that were about to emerge from the woods.
So, I headed back, come around a fence, and there are three more headed my way. One of them didnt see me, but he was facing me and I had no shot. When he did turn, there was a nice branch in the way. After holding full draw for a good ten minutes, I let down, and he ran off.
So, I get to my truck, and there stand two massive does. Between me and my truck. So there I am, irritated as hell with myself, seriously contemplating taking a shot even though I know the arrow is gonna pass through and nail my truck. I go to nock an arrow, and both look right up at me, tails wagging, ears perked. So I put the arrow back in the quiver, and just yelled them off and drove home.

Moral of the story? If you are going to sit in one freakin spot for hours, dont friggin quit 15 minutes early.

Amen, we learn more from our mistakes than our success. Good luck and you'll get them next time.

I had the same thing happen last year, live and learn man, live and learn, all you can do.

well i did not make it to sunset last year but once since most of my hunts start at sunrise.
I walked in and out with a arrow nocked. just in case a deer is stand ready to go to the freezer.

Been there and done that a time or two. You couldn't have said it better.

yea man, most of us have been there, lesson learned.

LOL....That is like running a marathon and quiting the last two yards.

Yup it happened to me on opening day. I felt so horrible at myself for getting ready to leave to soon. Because wouldn't you know it a 130 class 8 point runs right under my stand and stood there for what felt like an eternity and I had all my gear already packed up and ready to hoist down the rope [:@]

Believe it or not, I did it just a couple years ago... quit probably one MINUTE too soon -- and it cost me a solid 140-class buck.

I was on a field edge overlooking a bean field, and I couldn't see into the woods anymore -- but could see just fine out into the beans. I thought "What the heck, nothing's showed in three hours" and climbed down. When I reached the base of my tree, a big doe popped out with a perfect main-frame 10 folllowing her at 37 yards, and I could see them perfectly in the field. I made it 3/4 of the way to full draw when a trailing deer blew at me and everything scattered.

I had to call Matt / PA and he spent the next 20 minutes talking me off the ledge..

I have done it a few times, only once it cost me a buck. Real cold morning and nothing was moving post rut. I packed everything up and look up to see a heck of a nice deer standing in the field. I couldnt even get the gun up to look at him.