Had the Chance and Blew IT!!

This is my first year bow hunting. I have hunted hard almost every evening after work. I only get about 2 hours to hunt so I have to work hard to get onto bucks. Well Opening night I was about 45 yards from a nice 4 point. He never presented a shot and never saw him again. I am hunting a different area now. Since then I have spotted a 4 point twice and a 2 point twice. Where the 4 point is holding up it makes it difficult to stock him. Well as I have been driving out each night I have spotted 3 different bucks. A really wide and tall 3 point. I have only seen him one time. Thats it. THen I have seen another 2 point and a nice 2x3 a couple of times. Well I decided that last night I was going to go set up above this little draw, thinking it was the draw these bucks are moving down to cross the road. Well as I was moving in I spotted the 2x3 buck bedded down and staring at me. I ranged him. 40 yards!!!! I moved a little to my left. I could see his whole body and where his front shoulder was. I waited a few minutes for him to stand up, but he was getting really nervous. His head was up and he was looking around and his ears were going nuts. So I took a chance and drew back and let it fly!!!! I barely shot right over his back!!!! He got up and did not run off, he just kinda trotted away. I watched him go all the way over the next ridge. He did not seem spooked at all.
UGH It is frusturating.

So since he did not act to scared do you think he will come back to that spot to bed down again? I went back this morning and he was not there.
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Been there done that. I know how you feel when you work your tail off and then blow a chip shot. It sux. Only advice I have is keep working and you'll get another chance. It seems like your getting into plenty of bucks.

I missed a buck this year in his bed. The next evening, I found him browsing no more than 100 yards from where I missed him. If he likes the area, he might stick around.
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MuleyMadness
He will stick around IMO. Might take him a couple days to be back.
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Thanks for the advice! Yea I have seen some bucks. This bow hunting is a different challange. I love it though. Sometimes I just think man if I only had a rifle! I like how its not easy to kill a buck with a bow!
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hardstalk
Remember buck fever doesn't only effect you when you have a rifle scope on a deer it will get you with a bow also. dont forget to focus the deer out of the equation. Aim small miss small.if your staring at the heart only on a deer it should help you big buck or little buck. This is just my opinion though ive got about a month of missed work and am still 0 for 2 with my bow. It's addicting to say the least though. I have packed off a mpuntain two years in a row now completely heart broken. But as soon as you reach your truck you cant wait to get back into lol it in 365 days.
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Thanks for the advice. Yea thats true. Last night when I missed him. I was just sick. THen I got home and could not sleep all I could see was that white face and antlers just starring at me. Its very addicting.
Ill just keep at it and hope to run into him or another one soon!
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derekp1999
I think that's an experience that every bowhunter worth his weight in salt has been through. Learn all that you can from it! It sounds like you've put in the hard work, in time it will come.
Keep at him... I agree with MuleyMadness, it sounds like he's pretty comfortable in that area so he probably won't go far. It also sounds like you have a couple other options if you can't find him again.
Best of luck to you.
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Dang! That's a crummy feeling for sure, but it seems like you've been able to find plenty of deer though. Keep at it and I'm sure you'll connect with one soon! Good luck
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Thanks for all the advice and comments!!!! 10sign:
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So the story goes on. I went back last night hoping to find my buck bedded down in the same spot. He was not there, the stalk was set up perfect too. The wind in my face. A big grain tracter was harvesting down the road so it was making noise.
Well I remember what you all said about he would be back in the area. So then I started walking further down where I had seen other deer. I was walking on top of a ridge and it was steep the bottom where there was a ton of sage brush. It was about 30 yards down. I got into a spot where it was not a real steep angle and I sat for a bit. I kept hearing something below me, I could not see it though. Plus it was not moving to much, every few minutes. It sound like a mouse in the grass pretty much. Then I thought to my self, should I sit here and wait for about 30 minutes until dark or go explore a little more and see if I can find any thing else. As soon as I turned around and took on step I heard him. He was hopping away at this time. He was sitting 31 yards right below me in the brush. I could not see him though.

Oh well I ended up coming upon 3 little bucks. Just little two-points. So the deer hunting is put on pause for the weekend, as I am heading to Island Park to go after elk. Then the story will continue next week. Hopefully with some pictures then!!!
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derekp1999
Fun, did you get a look to confirm it was him?
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Oh yea it was him...Hes a 2x3 but his 2nd point is not very big. Thats how I knew it was him...Unless someone else finds him and hunts him, he will have a few days off before I am back up there. I have a feeling he wont last though. He likes to hang out close to the road. He is only bedding up about 75-100 yards from the road and crosses it all the time. There is alot of people that road hunt that area too, even though it is private property. Its all CRP that is not posted though. THere is alot of people that just hunt it anyway.
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I'm pulling for you! I hope you see him when you're back in that area again. Third time's a charm right?
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Well I did not get a shot at a bull this weekend. So ill be up chasing deer tonight. Hopefully I can come back with some pics later!!!
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derekp1999
Good luck... hope you find him again.
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Bummer on the elk.... I hope tonight pans out for you
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killerbee
missed this post-- sounds like your having a great hunt- i hope you get him. way to keep at it. keep us posted.
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Tenner, how'd the other night work out for you? Hopefully you've just been too busy processing your buck!
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Ha I wish I was!!! I never saw him that night... I waited for some other bucks to come out and I heard one but He never came out of the brush.
I'm in Island park again chasing elk. No luck so far
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