I rushed the shot...

[Lady Bird]

I have had a really slow start to hunting this year.  I have put lots of hours in, but nothing to put in the freezer.  No shot at an early fall bow or bear.  Finally started to see deer moving in the last week.  Saw this guy working a scrape line,, at the bottom of a wheat field.  Gave him a grunt, he stopped and looked at me but kept walking away.  Half hour I see him again at the top of the wheat field grazing.  I grunted to him, he picked his head up and started to walk along the edge of the field to me.  My heart was pumping.  Got 20 yards broadside, and I rushed the shot.  Hit him far back in the guts.  Son of a bitch I was pissed at myself. He hunched up, tail tucked and slowly walked away.  Got to the bottom of the field, laid down, stood up and stood still for about 20 minutes.  He then slowly walked off into a bedding area.  I didn't even bother to look, knew with that shot I got to let him lay.  Found him early this morning not far from where I last saw him.  He was stiff, stunk like guts and tarsals.  Skinned him out, quartered and in the fridge.  Lesson learned.  TAKE YOUR TIME!  I'm still pissed at myself and will redeem myself soon.  I sat all day yesterday, saw lots of movement, exciting day.  Pretty sure I saw who broke this guys antler.  Game on. 

And yes, it's a family tradition - hang them high, never let them touch the ground. 

 

 

 

[Ms Grit]

Wise decision Donna.  Glad you were able to recover him this morning.

Congratulations

[Rusty]

You did the right thing and recovered him nice and easy.  Congratulations on your buck Lady Bird.   

[MGHunter66]

You may have rushed the shot in the heat of the moment but definitely kept your cool afterwards by stopping the urge to look for him to soon. Imo that is why you recovered him. Great job

[_X7]

Congrats! That happens more than you'd think. Knowing what to do about it pays off

[Buck154]

Congrats

[Kype]

happens to us all, same thing happen to me this year. I rushed and hit my buck just like yours. it happens, glad you recovered him.

[Bill from NJ]

Very nice.

Like the story also.

[kmtpr]

Nice buck, Congrats! Glad you recovered him.

[3Blade]

Congrats on the buck and the recovery!

[Haskell_Hunter]

Although you made a less than desirable shot, you did everything else right.  Give you and your experience some credit!

 

It was cold last night, got to the low 30s, so you did the right thing all around.  Congrats on the recovery and the freezer meat!  

[rackemup]

Dont beat yourself up it happens to us all!! Congrats on a Great Buck!!

[Oneday121o]

It happens to all of us...always terrible. At least you got him but that meat is going to need some extra seasoning lol

[chilly923]

Nice job, congrats!

[smoking gun]

congrats and don't beat yourself up it happens