GSPsnFORDs

A couple of years ago I wenton an afternoon huntwith the father of myg/f (at that time) on a fairly windy day. We were hunting about 500 yds apart.I was walking through a milo field to get to this tree line bording asmall thicket. Kicked up a button buckthat was bedded in the headland of the field, right next tothe treeline. Proceeded to hang my climber on the tree, tiedon my bow rope, and tied the rope to my bow. Then I walked out to the edge of thetreeline (it was about 10 yds wide) to lay some dominant buck scent. No sooner had I gotten into the open when a 160"8pt. (one of the bigger bodied deer I've seen...close to 300lb on the hoof....and the fat on his ass jiggled when he came to a stop! no joke) came barreling straight to me. I duckedback into the treeling and "hid" behind a sapling/brush b/c at the time I thought this deer was coming at me b/c of the scent I was putting out. Anyways, he stopped about 10 yds off the treeline...perfect quartering away shot, then moved about 5 more yards out into the field. I was trying desperately to reach my bow...could almost reach the wheel but not quite. The buck ran off...no shot...just a broken heart on my behalf. After the hunt me and the guy I was hunting with swapped stories. While he was walking out to his spot he kicked up this same buck (bedded in the milo), it stood up and offered a perfect shot but he couldn't get it off...so the deer eventually ran to me.

Moral of the story: When it's daylight, I ALWAYS walk to my stand with my release on and ALWAYS carry my bow with me when putting out scent! If I had done this that day, I would have a damn nice deer on the wall. Oh well, live and learn!

njbuck22

I too would also have to say is always wear your release to and from the stand, i had a story similiar to GPSsnFORDS, the buck wasnt as big as his, but it was a nice one, but same result.

My second lesson learned is to never let your guard down. There are nights when i just know im going to see deer, and then there are others when i dont think its going to happen cause all the conditions are wrong, but then here he comes. Like we all know, you cant shoot them if your not out there.

gzg38b

Last year I blew a shot opportunity on a huge 9 point. I was in a doghouse popup blind. As I was drawing, the tip of my arrow brushed the inside of the blind and made a loud scratching sound. All I saw was antlers bouncing away. I wanted to vomit. Biggest deer I've ever seen.

Happily my dad got him during shotgun season but I still have nightmares. If I had just practiced drawing my bow from that blind I could have prevented that blunder.

Xtremebone

when I was young I went on hunt to ILL and forgot to check the MOON.

always check the MOON,

marcusjb

Deer move any time of the day so hunt all day long if you can. Shoot fingers! You can't leave them behind and miss that chance at a big buck.

KodiakArcher

Listen and learn. But if you're here reading this, you already know that.

davidmil

The best lesson learned, The Wind is my Shepard. I shall always keep it in front of me.

GregH

That is exactly the first two steps in my " ascending my treestand ritual" I also learned that the hard way.

GregH

Leason learned.... Don't cheap out on any equiptment or necessities related to one of your passions.

GregH

I also carry a cell phone in case of an emergency. Can't you tone down the vibration to a low enough level so you can leave it on? Mine can, just wondering.