WV Hunter

It could have been either brush or operator error, but honestly it takes a pretty good twig to majorly alter the path by about 2ft on a close shot. You said it was basically a clear lane, so (to me) its more likely a flinch at the shot was the culprit. I wouldn't sweat it too much, you know the gun is on and you got the deer.

DonkeyHodey

"...more likely a flinch at the shot was the culprit"
Yeah, I can live with that too... It happens. I'm almost more comfortable with that (since I can "control" that, so to speak) than factors beyond my control. I guess that's why we call it "hunting" and not "killing"

Bottom line, I'm feeling fairly reassured that no one is telling me I need to waste an otherwise good (but old) box of cartridges...

jerseyhunter

I'm thinking the wall you used to support the gun was on the left, and the gun kicked to the right . I dislike using anything solid on the side of the gun thus if I must I use my hand between the gun and tree.