Keep in mind that my lease is not a lease were you see big deer alot. ever once in a while u might see a 120".
Last weekend i didnt see anything in my favorite spots in the back of my property. I still went back there saturday morning and night and didnt see anything. So sunday morning i decided to go to a spot that i never deer hunt in i only go for pigs there. It is right by my cabin and we made alot of noise so i was kind of nervous. I got in the stand around 6:00 a.m.. Around 7:30 i look to my left and nothing but GIANT antlers takes up my vision. This buck was by far the biggest buck i have ever seen in my life. He was the tallest, the widest, and the thickest buck i have ever seen! He is a big heavy 8. He had chocolate horns. His antlers were thicker than any bucks bases i have ever seen. He had so much mass and was just so heavy and wide and tall. He had it all. A true trophy. Never in a million years would i have expected to see a buck that big. He was 40 yards from me and not coming in any closer. Toughest disicion i have ever had to make. I chose to pass on the shot becuase it just didnt feel right. I really did not want to wound that animal. I practice at 40 and do good but that is at a target and not a giant buck. I just didnt feel comfortable enough shooting that distance there are to many things that could of gone wrong. I put a trail camera out and maybe get a picture of him to show you guys just how big he is. I dont think anyone will really understand the size of that deer. WAY bigger than 120" i mean WAAAYYYYYYYYYY bigger. not anywere near a 120"! I have never seen an 8 pointer that big even on hunting shows! It was almost fake. Hopefully i can get him before the guns start going off and he turns nocturnal. What would you guys have done i hope i dont regret my decision.

Man, sure would hate to be in your shoes. I like you though. I practice at 40 all the time but not to sure on the comfort level of shooting at a deer exspecially one like that. You know his neiborhood now. Might want to get in the stand a littler earlier and see what happens. You made the right choice though. If you know comfrontable with the shot you did right.

One reason that during the off season I practice out 60 and 70 yards. Not that I would take a 60 yard shot on a deer, but that I would take a 50 yard shot confident.

+1 I have a 50yd limit on myself but practicing 60+ makes 40 almost instinct... great decision though, if your not comfortable its not a good shot and that deserves respect

Well, now for a dose of "possibility" (I won't call it reality). I did the same thing on the biggest buck I'd seen in 13 years of hunting a property. Never saw him or anything like him again.

You made the right decision. If you're not comfortable the dont do it. It's still early in the season. You should see him again and this time you will be ready. Good luck.

You did right I think, I once passed on a non=typical that was easly be over 200 B&C with a rifle at a little over 300 yards, I have never shot at anythng over 200 at the time. You will remember that decision especially if you never see him again but you know it was the right decision. Really hope you get him next time out

You made the right decision!!! Not comfortable, don't shoot!!! I would have done the same!!!

X2. Sounds like motivation to get back out there to me!!

I can't say that you won't regret your decision, but it was the right one. Everyone has their own limits on distance and what they feel comfortable with, mine is at 30 yards. I can kill a target out to 50, but there is no way I would shoot even 40.

It takes a strong person to hold off on shooting the biggest deer of their lives with a shot that they "think" they might be able to make.

Good luck on getting him next time.

You weren't ready. Good decision.
I would have shot in a heartbeat.
That is if I could control the adrenalin rush.
Maybe you'll get another shot at him.

I practice out to 60 yards, but will only shoot a deer out to 30 yards. I do like throwing hail mary's at hogs, though.

That is absolutely the right decision...I think any good, experienced bow hunter would agree. Best of luck!!! Will watch for pictures.

You made the right decision, good luck

First off, Well Done! You made the right decision. It's completely different shooting at a trophy, than a target. You know your limits, it's commendable and I hope you are rewarded with this monster, and I'm sure not just myself, but all the members would love to see you holding them antlers. Best of luck, btw, where's your property??!! lol,