Darnit, almost...

Not many deer or elk in our area this year, but we had permission to hunt in this one private area with a lot of low pinion pine, fun area to hunt, three draws running through and open field. We saw a couple or three bucks in there over the first few days as we hunted the area in the afternoons. This is my second season (at age 39) so was hoping for a little luck.

Well, it's day 3 of 4 and we were sitting in the truck glassing the outskirts of the area and lo and behold I see movement at the base of one of the trees. I put the binocs on it and holy crap, there are some antlers... and a head... he's just chilling there. So we talk it though. I get out and work my way at him from another angle, but the little bugger is too smart for me and senses me, and trots off. I see him whiz through my only shooting lane.

So I park myself on the side of a ravine, behind a rock, out of sight and hope my pal will flush some my way. After a long wait, eventually I see the buck in question scooting along on the east edge of the area, heading to the south end. I stay put as three does come haulin tail right at me! I can hear their hoof beats and I wonder if they are going to stop or do I get to be famous as the hunter trampled to death by does? They come to an instant halt maybe 10 yards away, not sure if I'm there. Very cool.

Well after another hour I get impatient, work my way slowly over to another good vantage point but after I bit I say what the heck, maybe that buck is back in the field to the west by now, and has forgotten all about hunters. I slowly make my way there and... holy crap there he is, just feeding. He hears me but ignores it. I work my way to a shooting spot, heart pounding, sit down on cactus, plant my hand in another cactus, and set up for a seated shot. I was all hopped up, all I could do to hold the sights stable... and... well... all I gotta say is buck fever got the best of me because it was a very clean miss.

Argh, I feel like a schmoe. #-o But d@#n what a good time!
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Bummer! Those close encounters are what it's all abouth though. This experience will push you to practice more this off season. This happened to a friend of mine last year, his first year hunting. He practiced very hard this off season and made a great shot this year.
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killerbee
+ :)) welcome to western big game hunting. boy is it fun........... :thumb
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Hiker
Sounds like the fever is getting ya, Welcome. We all have it and it can grow worse..... lol
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MuleyMadness
Been there, done that. :) Not a fun feeling, but a great experience. :thumb

WELCOME!!
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sneekeepete
::wel and hang in there. If no one got buck fever or never got excited then none of us would be hunting! Its all part of the thrill of the hunt! Good luck next year though!
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Thanks all. It wasn't fun in the first several minutes after missing but with a little perspective the trip overall was awesome and the experience was easily worth it. I thought I liked deer hunting last year but this year was way better. (Have yet to see an elk in range of my gun so can't comment on that). Definitely planning on practicing... not just shooting on a bench but also field shooting, shooting under pressure and getting in the zone / calming myself, etc. I'm bound and determined! :))

MIchael
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waynedevore
I know exactly what your talking about. I have had buck fever, had cactus and have missed shots a few times. :-$
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