Interesting Hunt I went on Yesterday and today that did not end well. Show up at the property in Cherokee Thursday night with full intentions of hunting through Tomorrow morning. Owner tells my father-in-law and I that since the big rain they have not seen any Bucks. Maybe a few spikes and a 3 point but that’s it. “You boys go ahead and shoot whatever you see and want to take”. So yesterday morning everyone sleeps in and I take advantage and go out. Sitting in a tree stand not long, 3 big Doe walk out and are in range of 15-25 yards. First morning so I am going to let them walk and wait. That evening I took a bucket out and sat it between two cedar trees looking over a feeder I got my 8 at last year. An hour before dark and after not seeing anything since the morning, I hear a crunch behind me and turned around to a Doe that walked in the same trees I was in. She obviously blew me out and I took it to the camp laughing because I could have knocked her head off with my bow she was so close and I never knew she was there.

Now this is where the fun comes in... get up early this morning and just had that good feeling something was going to happen. Out in the tree stand an hour and a half before sunrise, weather was as good as it could get early October and I was scent free like the hunting shows teach us (joking). Sun is starting to make its way, movement to my right but still too dark to see anything, and a Doe a ways off screaming at what some Dove Hunters making there way on the ranch next to us. It’s now light out and I hear a loud snort to my right in the thick stuff. 15 yards away thick stuff. Father-in-law sends a text saying the Gnats and mosquitoes are enough for him and he is taking it in. I let him know I am sticking it out because I am very curious about the snort. 5 minutes later I look over to my right and standing there is 2 8’s and a smaller 10. Not 10 yards from me. I was not ready for that whatsoever so I went on to shake like a wet puppy. They moved in closer and a cedar tree gave me enough cover to stand up and get ready before they walked out in front of me. I pull back right as they are coming out and they had no idea I was there. Big 8 and I mean BIG 8 gave me a broadside shot and I let go. Arrow screaming towards this Buck and goes right over his shoulders. 15 yard shot and I MISSED!!!! Boy was I fired up and trying to solve every potential mishap that could have happened. Everything was perfect so I took my bow back to camp and shot it. Bullseye first shot. We decide to just call it and pick up to head back to Dallas. 3 hours later and on the way home it finally dawned on me. I looked at my father-in-law and just stared laughing. I shot at a massive Buck 15 yards away using my top pin which is set at 25 yards. On our place my feeder is 35 yards and the trail they walk out on is 25 yards. I didn’t compensate and it got me good. Early in the year, was only expecting a Doe or Spike, and 15 yards from a giant allowed Buck fever to get the best of me. I have been hunting 20+ years and it never gets old. When it does I will never go out again. Boy did I mess up or what?

You didn't mess up... you created another great hunting story. I've got plenty of them!

Great story. Live and well. Even I at 69 yo get the heart thumping. Good luck on the next adventure.

If I ever quit feeling some excitement when hunting I will quit, thanks for sharing

Sounds like you got the rush you were supposed to. Enjoyed the read

I used to get wound up before the shot but now I am calm while shooting but afterwards I get worked up pretty good!

Now that I have slept on it. I realized that it was an amazing encounter that I will never forget. Lots of season left and it just wasn’t time for one of us. There is a 12 year old going out next weekend and weather forecast looks good so I would rather see him get that Buck anyways. It would lock him in for life as I already am and his father would get more out of that experience with his son.

I did the exact same thing yesterday. Ranged a big slick at 39 yards and promptly drew and buried my 30 yard pin on her chest.I was so confused when she ran off. I have no clue what I was thinking!

Real question is how much did that deer grow on the trip back lol

Well he grew alright. Once I settled down and it took awhile, I realized chances like that are far and between. No Bucks have been seen so those Dove Hunters must have pushed those Bucks from their property over to us.