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Post by tynimiller on Nov 15, 2012 11:19:23 GMT -5
Shared this in my hunting log ( HERE) but wanted to share it here. Some of you have probably been in this position too and I have as well...but never with a buck like this. Well here's the story: Well this hunt was one I'll dream about for years...and be tormented about for years. What would you have done...I hope the same thing. I got into my stand at roughly 6am...well before I could legally shoot (7:00) and set listening to possible deer rumblings through the woods. I did put some estrous urine down on my walk in so perhaps it would lure something down the two-track I had walked. At approximately 6:40am I heard something taking very heavy and strong steps off to my NE. Almost stepping like it was on alert and trying to find what it smelled. Well the steps kept getting closer and I could tell it was a buck as it did a couple deep grunts as it got closer to the tree I had splashed the remaining estrous urine on it's base 12 yards in front of my stand. I could tell this buck had obviously walked south along the food plot two-track to my E and when he'd caught a whiff of the estrous he wanted to investigate. I looked at my clock 6:45am...looked up and there he was. HOLY MASS-OLA! This buck easily would have been the biggest buck I'd ever harvest. I could see it, not vividly clear in the low light....but I could have easily put an arrow behind the front shoulder of this BEAST. I couldn't though....I had my bow in my hand I even put the release on it and said "Screw it...no one will know." I couldn't though, I thought of how I'd feel looking at the thing on my wall everyday for the rest of my life...if I shot I would have chosen to break the law. I'd have been just as bad as the guys who poach, trespass, illegally bait or ignore any kind of hunting law. I'd be able to be lumped in with the guys I despise...couldn't do it. I quickly said, "Thank you Lord, for just the glimpse" asked him for another chance and watched the beast walk S towards the corn....I simply couldn't do it. I would set that whole day in that stand...and it replayed over and over again in my head. I was proud of the decision I had made but couldn't help but have regret. Gun season starts this Saturday, the orange army would take over these woods and I wouldn't be able to come back and hunt it till late season...part me was yelling at my self but the other part just kept saying "I simply couldn't do it". I did see a small 7 pointer that day...couldn't do that either. Ah, the day I'll never forget and the buck I'll probably never forget....I just couldn't do it. For size comparison it would have made this buck (one of the two main target bucks on the property) look like a toy:  |
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Post by ms660 on Nov 15, 2012 11:31:47 GMT -5
Your one of the good ones. Congratulations I would share a campfire with you anytime.
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Post by bigbuckd on Nov 15, 2012 11:38:28 GMT -5
Nice, that is what I call integrity.
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Post by oldhoyt on Nov 15, 2012 12:06:06 GMT -5
I did not shoot a buck that was about like the one in your photo last year. Saw him only several after legal shooting. That's the way it goes.
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Post by raporter on Nov 15, 2012 12:07:27 GMT -5
You can sleep well knowing you did the right thing.
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Post by jjas on Nov 15, 2012 12:07:29 GMT -5
If it's not legal, it's not legal........
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Post by 36fan on Nov 15, 2012 12:25:46 GMT -5
I feel your pain.
A few years ago I came home from bow hunting on the day before gun season started. My dog was chained to my deck and was going nuts barking at the small grove of trees opposite the creek behind my house. I got he binoculars out and the settled on one the biggest buck I had ever seen. He was ~60 yds off my deck, looking at me and not really caring that I was there and moving.
I could have easily got my muzzleloader, dropped him, and checked him in the next morning. Instead I tried to flank him and stalk in. In the process TWO nice bucks tore out of the area.
Thinking I had just blown it, I walk backed to the house and let my dog loose. She ran to the creek barking, ran up back and forth along the bank a couple of times, and Bullwinke and his mistress took off.
This story is lot better than the one I would be telling if I had chosen to shoot him w/ the smokepole.
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Post by tynimiller on Nov 15, 2012 12:39:12 GMT -5
You guys are making me a lot better about the hunting community in general. You wouldn't believe the amount of private messages here and other boards and facebook I've recieved stating I'm an idiot and should have shot....thanks guys.
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Post by 5kirks on Nov 15, 2012 12:46:38 GMT -5
A clear conscience is a great thing, you did good.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 13:12:56 GMT -5
Good for you.
I hope you see him again when it is legal.
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Post by jabba on Nov 15, 2012 13:44:32 GMT -5
Man... you do the right thing because its the right thing to do.
Had you chosen to make the shot... I would not condemn you either... but I am with you. It's either right, or it isn't right, and only YOU know what would make you not sleep well at night.
I sleep great.
Jabba
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Post by Decatur on Nov 15, 2012 14:13:14 GMT -5
You did good!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 14:37:26 GMT -5
By the way, the buck on your trail cam is a beauty. Talk about symmetry! He looks to be just about perfectly even right down to his forked brows.
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Post by tynimiller on Nov 15, 2012 14:47:27 GMT -5
By the way, the buck on your trail cam is a beauty. Talk about symmetry! He looks to be just about perfectly even right down to his forked brows. Meta I know! Can you believe I set in a corn field blind about 30 yards in and trail cam proves (placed 6 yards west of the shot lane) he walked by it while I sat there in the dark over an hour before legal light! Cannot believe it...would love to drop him, but this property is not huntable for us till after gun seasons close.....fingers are crossed to say the least as the BEAST from the story, the one in the pic, and a massive 8 pointer all were alive as of last week. |
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Post by joeyb on Nov 15, 2012 15:36:44 GMT -5
I had a similar experience this year, but at the other end of the day. It was the day before the true full moon back in October. Biggest buck I've seen all year was 60 yards away looking back at me. I had grunted which stopped him, he moved around my to my right to wind me. Luckily I had done my homework on scent elimination, and I had buck urine out. So the smells were right, but he wasn't budging that 60 yard mark without seeing a deer. He stayed there until dark. I couldn't get down, and had to have my buddy walk to me to run him off. My buddy crested the revene behind him, and he ran directly to me. He stopped under my stand and looked back at my buddy. Like mentioned this was a full moon night, plus my new bow sight has a light. I debated, and debated, but like you I couldn't do it. I haven't seen that buck since, but I sure felt better about it all. I kept thinking that I'd feel worse if I made a bad shot because of the low light. Then I'd be sick the rest of the year, and I'd have wounded an animal.
Our ancestors all created and agreed on the rules to hunting. I believe that by following these rules, it's not only respectful to other hunters, but also the animals we're pursuing.
You did the right thing, and it's my opinion that in time things have a way of favoring people who do the right thing.
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Post by 36fan on Nov 15, 2012 16:07:17 GMT -5
You guys are making me a lot better about the hunting community in general. You wouldn't believe the amount of private messages here and other boards and facebook I've recieved stating I'm an idiot and should have shot....thanks guys. They are sending private messages because they are cowards and don't want everyone to know they are cheaters!  It took me a several years to get my first deer and even longer to get my first bow deer. I refuse to take an bad shot opportunity - not that I haven't made a bad shot, but the shot opportunity was good. I know someone that just got his first bow deer by taking a hard quartering to shot, completely missed the boiler plate, bounced the arrow off the breast bone, and somehow managed to slice the trachea. Deer went ~50 yds and dropped. I show up to help him load it, shaking my head because he took the shot in the first place, missed the boiler plate completely, yet somehow got lucky enough to put the animal down quickly. It's better to be lucky than good, and I'm not that lucky. |
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Post by bowhunterjohn on Nov 15, 2012 21:07:10 GMT -5
Glad to hear there are others like me, rewind, 2004
I had been hunting this little area not too deep in the woods, a stand I called "3 tree" because it was in the middle of these three forks of a tree ( maple)
Well the week before I had tried to get in about 30 minutes early and bumped deer, next time an hour early, bumped deer. so this time I went in 2 hours, thats right 2 hours early. About 30 minute before shooting light I hear the unmistakable sound of a buck making a scrape, then closer, then right under me ... MONSTER... we are talking 160" plus rack. He stops at 15 yards where I did the same as you, left some doe in estrous on the ground. Perfectly broadside.
Back then I did not hang my bow up, rather laid it in my lap. I clicked on my release, drew my bow, aimed down the arrow and then let my draw down. I could not do it, i could not try to shoot this magnificant buck. He stood there, I looked at my phone, just 18 minutes till shooting light, even though the moon was so bright I could see him clearly. Stands there longer, now just 7 minutes before shooting light, then I heard the worst sound you could hear, the howling of 3-4 coyotes just 200 yards away.
In an instant this giants hair stood on end, he almost tapped danced around, then nervously and briskly walked away. DANG COYOTES.........
Well the coyotes ran past me minutes later with no opportunity to give them some payback via an arrow. however a few minutes past shooting light I heard something coming from the area the big buck came from and it was coming fast. I stood up, got ready... bam.. a little fawn appears but she is looking a back, so I wait, and wait and I am still waiting, no monster.
fast forward.... yesterday morning I am set up in my one spot, decoy out, everything perfect, 10 minutes before shooting light comes a 130's 9 pointer I've had my eye on, I can see him, I can see my pins, but it isn't shooting light, so I let him walk. now I did try to pursued him to stay around with some light grunts and a can call, but he had other things on his mind.
Yep, I do not regret either decision,
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Post by parkerbow on Nov 15, 2012 22:14:41 GMT -5
You have integrity, morals and values. There are so many out there that shoot 2 bucks every year and check one in under their wife or kids name or do a whole other slu of violations. You have my highest respect. Good luck to you not only this year but the rest of your hunting years.
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Post by steve46511 on Nov 15, 2012 22:51:55 GMT -5
Been there, done that!!
IMHO doing so puts your name in a "book" far more important than one with B&C or P&Y on it and helps heap satisfaction upon the times that come when a beast walks by DURING shooting time.
For generations it has always been said "Its not WHAT you do in life, but HOW you do it that matters".
A tip of my old holey camo hat to you! You wear the title "HUNTER" proudly and deservingly so!
God Bless
Steve
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Post by goodyz71 on Nov 15, 2012 23:43:45 GMT -5
You absolutely made the right choice! Thanks for being a great sportsman.
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