ambush
Member
yet so far. What's the closest you've come to pulling the trigger....but didn't. I just came in from out back after an afternoon/evening deer hunt. I placed a small baitpile a few days ago in anticipation of today's hunt (Please spare me the baitpile debate. I have very few days to hunt due to my work schedule so I use all the legal tools I can to put some meat in the freezer). Right at 4:30, a small fawn walked in, then another, both happily munching the apples. They are about 20 yards out. More footsteps in the woods...a yearling... then a big fat doe. Now, I considered taking the doe, but still had plenty of daylight so decided to wait a bit to see what else might materialize. All the sudden I hear more footsteps. Big rack!! It had the goofiest looking rack I ever saw. Looked like a couple points were broken off on the right side and the left side was growing in toward his head. Looked like 8 or 9 points. The spread was good, about 18" to 20" from what I saw. I already had my shotgun raised with the safety off and leaning on the shooting rail, all I had to do was turn about 10 degrees to my left. I was just lining up the sights while moving my finger to the trigger when the fawns spooked and the four antlerless deer scrambled. Seeing that, goofy rack jumped up and peeled wheels outta there, right on their heels. For and instant, I thought about taking a running shot at him, but based on past performances doing that, decided not to. I had him in my sights....just ready to let go....I saw the meat in the freezer....then NOTHING. Geeeez, I hate deer hunting. Been doing it for about 35 years now and still can't get over the close calls and misses. I'll give it another crack tomorrow!!