I know this goes along with hunting, sometimes it happens. But I felt really sad yesterday and mad at myself this morning. I think mostly ashamed of myself. I watched deer all day long Sunday, just about every hour and fifteen to twenty minutes there were deer coming out on every side of me. I saw a good 10 pointer about 7:20 am but just as I raised my gun he turned and walked away from me with the only his rear facing me. I waited and watched A couple small bucks came out picked around and went back in the woods. About 12:05 a doe came running out and stopped and started picking along with 12 other does and fawns. A couple mins later I hear a soft grunt. I am watching the corner sure enough out sticks a nice buck head, antlers shinning. It looks like the 9 pointer I have been watching, But can't tell for sure from the side view, But a nice buck I could tell. I raised my gun for the second time today. Off he went like a mad man after the doe As he went across the clearing in front of me at about 70 yards at what seemed like 50 miles an hour. I though to myself now or never. KABOOM! KABOOM! He never kicked and didn't even looked like he flinched. He did however turn toward me and cock his head sideways still running and off to the west and into the woods. I heard no crashing sounds just running through the woods and leaves taking all the other deer with him as he went. I waited and waited. After 45 mins. I got down out of my stand and as I turned the small corner behind a cedar tree I saw white flags everywhere off they went I saw no antlers among them. I walked over to where he was when I shot. Nothing. DARN IT ALL! I knew better than to take a shot at a running deer, I am no good at a moving target. I FELT AWFUL ! I looked for an hour on that clearing trying to trace every step he took looking for blood. Nothing! I walked out into the woods in the direction he took off in. Nothing. I am so hoping that I missed completely, and did not end up shooting him in the shoulder or leg or anywhere that will cause him problems.:(
SHAME SHAME on me for trying to do what I know I can not.
I hope I see him again walking normal come next gun season. I hope to find his antlers this spring. But not still attached to his skeleton.

I hope you see him before gun season comes back in so it will ease your mind. As good as your woods skills are I know you would have found blood had you hit him, chalk it up to experience, I hope he will give you a standing shot next time.

Ah, but this is how we become better hunters! To learn our limits we sometimes have to push them... Sometimes the deer gods smile on us... sometimes on the deer!!!

You more than likely missed him so don't feel too bad. :)