Got settled into my stand and within 15 mins a nice six point strolls into the field. It was real early but I decided it was the best deer I had seen this season. Nice tall rack---though not very wide. He was about 200 yards away. I guess I got a bit of the fever. Even pulled back from the scope and told myself to settle down. I squeezed off a shot and it was obvious I missed because he actually ran closer to me and stopped dead still. I tried to eject my shell quietly and in the proccess jammed the rifle. I fumbled around trying to get another round in the chamber and the deer did not move. I quickly fired off another round and off he went.

I searched for an hour and a half till it got dark. Called some friends and we searched a while longer. Going in the morning to look some more. Could not find any blood. Shot with a 30-06. I am sick to my stomach. I have never missed before---but as my friends assured me---if I never want to miss---hang my rifle on the rack and don't shoot.

Anyway--wish me luck in the morning.

Happens to everybody at some time. A couple of friends in our club that have killed hundreds of deer flat out missed on bucks in the last couple of weeks.

If you speed , you're gonna get a ticket.
If you play with fire , you're gonna
get burned.
If you hunt , you're gonna miss.

I Have never met anyone yet that has never missed . I'm glad to see you care enough to check for sign again a lot of people don't .Lots of luck .

[Deleted by Admins]

Ditto, I missed twice this past year also. Once at a doe, once at a buck.
Now for next year.........

I hunted for 13 years before it happened to me. Then my dad rubs it in by giving me a scope for Christmas that year.
Shake it off, you'll be fine. Doo-doo happens.

Your in the same boat as every honest hunter who has hunted for awhile it happens.You may of gotten a little buck fever with out knowing it.This also happens to alot of veteran hunters but alot of them won't admit it.Next time take a couple of deep breaths and talk yourself into the shot on what to do and where to aim.You would be surprised how many hunters when excited never really aimed at the deer only quickly pointed at it.
You have more time then you think.

Tough luck sour01.But everybody misses sooner or later.I missed one this you but I was lucky enough for him to run right at me and give me another shoot.

if you don't shoot you want hit,if you don't shoot you can't miss.
it happens to us all at one time or the other.
keep stroking and don't give up. it is better to miss than hit and not find.


I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.