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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Yoby" data-source="post: 223967" data-attributes="member: 631">I was recently reflecting back on my previous hunts and thinking about things that I can improve on. There is only 1 hunt that haunts me. I moved to a property in 2012. That year was my first year I started my archery career and camera obsession. I had a couple deer, but started the season quite easily sitting in the first 5 sits without a bow. From there I set my standard at anything more than a fork. After shooting my first buck decent 4x4, I had pictures of quite a nice buck. [ATTACH]25683[/ATTACH]Having no clue anything about whitetail (other than shooting a couple with rifle and shotgun), it started my obsession. Next year got more pictures and started trying to track him and hunt him.In 2013, all I got were a couple ghost pictures of him and one that sold me. (I no longer think this was the same deer, but in my head then it was.)[ATTACH]25688[/ATTACH]In 2014 I started experimenting with food plots, scents and started tracking movements. I think a buddy missed a shot at him. I picked up more cameras and it became a full on obsession. Early Nov he busted his G2. I always opted for meat in the freezer than a paper tag soup. [ATTACH]25689[/ATTACH][ATTACH]25690[/ATTACH]In 2015, I had my first sighting of him. I had put in more food plots and more cameras, but also had my cheap cameras start malfunctioning. Aggravating. I was able to take my oldest son out hunting for the first time. That one sit 3 does come walking in and I ask him "what do you think, should I wait for a buck?" NOPE! he picked out which one and drew back and let loose. No question, would do it again. 5x5 shows up 10 days later. [ATTACH]25691[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]25692[/ATTACH]In 2016, I had done my previous years research had him pegged for what I thought he would be on my property. I set up an excel spread sheet for all the precious years, moon phase, wind conditions, baro pressure, ect. On Nov 18, (Friday) I took off from work early to sit in my ground blind. It was windy and rainy. After maybe 2 hours I knew I had to leave to pick up my kids from daycare. Pack up and start walking the trail out. No more than get 30 yards down the path and I spot the "5x5" in my low spot. SOB, hit a knee along my path (it was a 5ft tilled path through the trees. it afforded me less smell and actually the deer traveled it). Pull my range finder and range him at 40 yds. Not a problem. I had shot a doe at 42 yds 2 weeks earlier. I had my practice in and was confident. He bobbed around the food plots with 2 does. in and around trees. I had time to swap arrows (fixed blades for the ground blind to mechanical for open) and re-range him. He finally steps out on top of the lull. I draw back (he has no clue I'm there). Turns broadside..... awesome... Settle my nerves a bit and let the arrow fly. My luminok looked like it buried right in the heart cavity. I sit back shaking like a leave for 5 min. text my wife he has to pick up the kids and that I just got the 5x5. Text the neighbors saying I though I just stuck him.... I settle down after 10 mins. The does were sticking around. I compose myself and start really assessing what just happened. Didn't hear him crash, didn't see him anything after shortly after the shot. I start my slow approach to find my arrow. I go to where he was standing and find nothing. WTF. I knew where he headed and no sign of blood MF, you have to be $h^% me...  I go back to the line of the shot and find my arrow buried in the embankment behind him. 5 hairs where on the broad head, but not a drop of blood. Never had in on camera. He had dodge it by inches. I go up to the house and my buddies show up and I'm sitting on the porch  pissed/sad/mad/shocked. Next morning I go out sit in the stand and have  a buck dog a doe and didn't think, just shot. Wasn't him...... Friggin  ey. There's always next year......[ATTACH]25693[/ATTACH][ATTACH]25694[/ATTACH]Then I talk to another neighbor a couple weeks after season. Buck is dead. (according to the story I was told) 3 or 4 days before end of bow season, a guy 3 or 4 miles away saw him feeding under his apple tree. Snaps some pictures. next day buck is there again. "heck, I should get a bow tag". 3rd day buck shows up again..... he's dead. It wasn't till the next spring that I actually figured out what the hell happened. Had one picture with a scar down his left side where I had grazed him. I had figured that he heard the strong and jumped. I had my nephew out to my place and he was shooting his bow, so I go grab mine. Very first shot.... Pa thunging.  WTF was that. start inspecting my bow. The string stop screw is loose. This is the 2nd shot from the miss. This made some much noise it was ridiculous. So one lesson learn, always check your equipment.  This still haunts me. Share yours</blockquote>

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