Hoser said

[orig][quote]

I AM a deer hunter and missed a buck on Turkey day morning. Fucker came to within 10 yards of me at appx. 9AM while I was picking my shit up and preparing to move. My rifle was leaning against the tree. I managed to pick up the rifle and cock the hammer back (TC Encore .280) without him noticing. Then as he dropped his head behind a tree, I snapped the rifle up and he heard me. I sighted his ass in at about 20 yards as he ran off in the hopes to fire a shot into his ass and knock him down, and second shot in for the kill. Needless to say, I missed by about 6 inches left and blew a small oak apart.

FUCK!!!!!! I was so ashamed that I didn't go to Turkey day dinner, instead I hunted...looking for retribution but he didn't show up again that night.

If I had just moved more slowly, more fluid. He would have been a very dead buck and in my freezer by now...but alas, hindsight is always 20/20. I'll try to be more calm next time...I just couldn't get over how close he got to me and how easily I was thinking that I got my deer. They are dumber than shit, but so incredibly in touch with their surroundings...any noise, any scent that is slightly off and they're outta there, and fucking FAST.

God, I love deer hunting. But then again, this is why it's called hunting and not just shooting. Anyone can pull a trigger, but a real hunter can bring home the meat. I made a n00b mistake, and now I'm paying for it with an empty freezer.

2 weeks left in Maine...all muzzleloader.