I missed him

[In God We Trust]

I'm late posting this because I have been elk hunting. I missed this guy on day 5 of my smokepole deer hunt. This is the second season I have been hunting him. On day 5 I found him on a ridge as I came over the top and finally got a shot at him. My brother was watching him through his binos and informed me that I missed. I couldn't believe it. I haven't missed a deer with a muzzle loader or rifle in years. I guess a little bit of humble pie is good for us from time to time. We watched him and the other bucks he was with run the ridge line and drop over a saddle so we followed them to the saddle and started glassing. I still can't believe it but we found him bedded 500 yards away. The only thing I can think of is he didn't see us or wind us so he wasn't as startled when I shot at him. I told my brother to give it a go so he stalked within 54 yards of him over the next hour. I was watching through my spotter from 300 yards away as he took a shot at him. I watched a line form from the deers shoulder to his neck with no hair on it. My brother grazed him while he was bedded at 54 yards. We were both bummed out and made the hike back to camp. When we got there we both shot our guns to see what happened. Mine was dead on and I know I got buck fever and missed. My brother's was shooting ten inches high. We are not sure what happened but at some point during the hunt his sights got knocked off. I didn't get another shot at a good buck the rest of the season. I was pretty picky so I ate tag soup. Here are a few pics of the deer that I took through the spotter. Sorry about the picture quality. My spotter is average and I do not have the right photography gear. Good luck to everyone that is still hunting or will be this fall.

 

[7mag.]

Everyone misses. I hadn't missed an animal in over 12 years. I pride myself on being a good shot. Last year I missed 3 shots, all 3 where good bucks. I ate my tag. Last season was my best to date, as far as opportunities at good bucks. I messed up every one of them. I learned from my mistakes. One of the best ways to better yourself is to learn from your mistakes.

 

[Jackelope]

I had a late whitetail permit in the Blues in Washington last year. 2nd to the last day of my hunt I found a buck I wanted to kill. 120 yards broadside...almost a chip shot. I missed. Twice. Couldn't figure out why till later on. Right befor I left I had a flashback to 2010 when I had a late mule deer permit in the same general area. Tons of snow. I put some Butler Creek scope covers on my vx3 just in case and called in good. Realized that when I slid the objective cover on, there wasn't enough clearance between the scope and the barrel of my rifle. It lifted the scope up. Never even noticed it. I'm a huge dummy. Took it off and went and shot it, was dead nuts. Oh well. Went home the next day, tag soup.

 

[cody covey]

Sorry to hear it. Id cry if i missed that buck