I'd say wrong scope/power. You need one that will be there as soon as your eye hits it. I had one like you describe and changed. I wouldn't go without it.

It does sound like you couldn't have handled it better. Pretty exciting.

I always make sure the scope is turned down to the lowest power, I keep checking from time to time just to make sure. The scope on my gun is a variable power scope... I believe its a 3-9x32.......Im really thinking about getting a 1x1.5 though.

Last year I got a scope from my brother, and I missed a very big buck, Turns out the scope was junk. This year I got a different scope from my brother, and I missed a very large buck..... but the scope it good on this one, Its just too much power to try to find the right spot on a running deer thats within 25 yards of you. Ugh! Yeah Im probably not gonna get another chance at a deer that big this year. I havent even seen a deer since! My younger brother almost shot a nice 8 pointer yesterday that was on the other side of the hill from where I seen that big buck a few days ago, but it was running a doe through the woods and didnt wanna stop. Oh well... a new day, time to try again.

deer make me crazy, i missed a huge 8 one day put the arrow right into a small tree. The tree fell over and landed on the deer, didnt even run away. that was the only big deer i had ever seen in the woods. They make me crazy i tell ya.

Mabe you should have landed a bigger tree on him fossil. LOL

He'll be back dont worry about it..... He will follow that doe and he will be back nuttin can stop them in the rut