Bow hunting cost me a buck

[solocam_aggie]

So this weekend I found myself at my folk's place hunting. The only deer killed on this place in the 4 years my folks have owned it was a good 11 point my dad killed last year. As I packed for the trip, I somehow talked myself into leaving my bow at the house and just rifle hunting to make things easier. Well Saturday morning I’m sitting in the stand and great buck for the area steps out. Perfect 10 and stretching 20". I should have stuck the gun out and busted him, but my first thought was “dang I wish I had my bow!” After a long hesitation on my end, the buck headed out before I could convince myself to shoot. Not sure I could have disappointed my dad more that day if I tried lol. What can I say, bow hunting creates quite the addiction. I’ll be back for Thanksgiving, and you know I’ll have my bow in tow this time!





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[Tyrex750]

Boom, that's all u would have heard on my end.

[4-fletch]

Boom nice buck.
Thwack Heckuva buck!

[Killer]

Wow nice. Maybe it was picture taking?

[Colton]

Boom, that's all u would have heard on my end.

x2

I would have blasted him

[TexasBob]

Thanks for sharing how you feel. I would have felt recoil.

[gander]

I have passed up more opportunities to kill big animals than I care to admit because I wasn't going to be able to kill them with a bow. This past year I have decided to try and force myself to take whatever opportunity presents itself. I'm in my mid 30s now and my hunting time isn't nearly what it used to be, although probably more than most. Telling myself that the choice of weapon doesn't matter nearly as much as the memory being made. I'm going mule deer hunting in early December in West Texas and the guy who is hosting me said it will be nearly impossible to get one with a bow, I'm fully prepared to pull out the rifle if I find it that way.

[Jon B]

I definitely understand.

[txtrophy85]

I shot a deer sometime around 2010 or 2011 with a rifle, big bodied 130" 8 point. Felt so disappointed in myself that I didn't try and hunt it with a bow, would have been a great archery buck. Didn't shoot another whitetail with a rifle after that until I shot a freebie managment deer in 2019 as a client guest.....when again wasn't' real proud of the whole ordeal.

I don't fault you one bit, that will be a great bow buck, hope you can get him with archery equipment!

[Muskles]

I love bow hunting, but if I'd brought my gun I think it would have been hard for me to pass that buck...I get it though. Had a big pig here at the house several years ago. Saw him one night from the back porch with my rifle in hand. My wife and youngest son were standing there with me. He was as good as dead at 40 yards, but I lowered the rifle. Wife asked why I wasn't shooting. Before I could answer son told her because he wants it with his bow. Lol

[Texas452]

When I was still bow hunting I didn’t care how big a buck was, it was bow only, I didn’t even pack a rifle during the general season, I understand why you let that buck walk.

[cwbow]

Great for you. I feel the same. Hope he shows back up for you.

[BTLowry]

Few years ago I had a nice buck coming in and I was determined to kil him with my bow.
Nasty afternoon of cool and sprinkles of rain led me to carry the gun instead of bow.

Target buck came out and worked a scrape 100+yds away but no clear shot. Then he turns and walks strait to me and turns broadside inside 20yds.
Dang near shot over him
Sure regretted not taking my bow but no gurantee he would have done what he did either

[cpatterson]

Every time I have done this, it has not worked out. I hope it’s different for you! Good luck


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[Mitchell8]

Well if you passed that buck with a rifle what where you planning to shoot? Don’t make much sense to me guess you should never bring rifle again