My bs-like story is from Nov-19-2016.
Short version for busy folks: saw a drop tines 10 point buck at 45yds standing broadside and I let him walk...
Long version: Got the permission to hunt in 5 acre backyard (8.4 acre lot) in Suwanee. 120yds downhill with creek bottom. Unlike previous four seasons, I had a spot I could go to freely and first deer harvest became very realistic goal.
I was about halfway down in the hill watching between left/ right edges of the creek bottom. Been sitting since sunrise and it was a slow morning. Just past noon and thought I'd wait 15 more minutes then take a lunch break. In 2 minutes I spotted a movement to my left and saw a small tree step out of the thicket at 90~yds.
The buck slowly walked towards to my right closing the gap between us.
I carefully raise my rifle and placed him in the scope. His antlers were just outside of his ears, tines were tall and almost straight. He stopped to raise his head and sniff the air, turned his head to show near symmetrical drop tines around his ears. He looked majestic, I carefully lower the safety.
He took few more steps and turned to his right and stood broadside to me.
This is where I messed up. I started to notice his pale grey coat, battle scars around his neck, and that he was sagging. It became obvious that he was past his prime. I put the safety back on and slowly lowered my rifle.
He took few steps back over to my right then turned around and took the exact path he walked in and disappear back into the thicket. Got the shaking of my life few minutes afterwards when I thought to myself "I could have shot him".
Have a little regret not taking him, but meant more to me to let him go than to hang him on the wall...
Short version for busy folks: saw a drop tines 10 point buck at 45yds standing broadside and I let him walk...
Long version: Got the permission to hunt in 5 acre backyard (8.4 acre lot) in Suwanee. 120yds downhill with creek bottom. Unlike previous four seasons, I had a spot I could go to freely and first deer harvest became very realistic goal.
I was about halfway down in the hill watching between left/ right edges of the creek bottom. Been sitting since sunrise and it was a slow morning. Just past noon and thought I'd wait 15 more minutes then take a lunch break. In 2 minutes I spotted a movement to my left and saw a small tree step out of the thicket at 90~yds.
The buck slowly walked towards to my right closing the gap between us.
I carefully raise my rifle and placed him in the scope. His antlers were just outside of his ears, tines were tall and almost straight. He stopped to raise his head and sniff the air, turned his head to show near symmetrical drop tines around his ears. He looked majestic, I carefully lower the safety.
He took few more steps and turned to his right and stood broadside to me.
This is where I messed up. I started to notice his pale grey coat, battle scars around his neck, and that he was sagging. It became obvious that he was past his prime. I put the safety back on and slowly lowered my rifle.
He took few steps back over to my right then turned around and took the exact path he walked in and disappear back into the thicket. Got the shaking of my life few minutes afterwards when I thought to myself "I could have shot him".
Have a little regret not taking him, but meant more to me to let him go than to hang him on the wall...