Missed the biggest buck I've ever seen

[Atchman2]

So instead of watching the UT football game I went hunting. From my outdoor magazines, it was assured by the experts that this was the time to hunt. :D Right at 6, I saw movement to my far right. It was a HUGE deer (to me at least). In the past, I've missed with this rifle exactly one time. I'm so confident in my ability with it.

However, I kinda turned too far right. I was shooting offhand, and obviously I didn't have my head in the right position. I shot! WHACK! My scope nailed me right in the head. Blood spurted out for a second. The deer ran TOWARDS me and stopped 10 yards away, then ran off. I'm literally sick. Not only did I miss, I dinged my head (like a rookie).

 

[double browtine]

Aw man, sorry to hear that. Maybe you will get another chance at him.

 

[rem270]

Hope you get another chance at him!

 

[Atchman2]

Thanks folks! I'm going to verify my zero after Church tomorrow. I'm guessing though I just missed. Finally saw the ding in my forehead. How stupid!

 

[Mike Belt]

It's happened to a bunch of us before. Just grin, wipe the blood away, and go on. Hopefully you'll get another crack at your buck.

 

[MUP]

Did you do a thorough sweep looking for signs of a hit? I say that bc there are some times when I've seen a deer run off and really consider that I had missed, and found little or no sign of a hit at the point of impact, and had to follow the path of escape and fortunately found a few drops of blood, then eventually recovered the animal.

 

[Atchman2]

I haven't been back over. Real life has gotten in the way. However, I went to the range with the ML. It was off about 2.5" low, but that wasn't enough to miss a deer at 30 yards. I just plain missed because I got too excited at seeing such a large deer. Normally I'm calm when deer hunting, but this one was just a special deer. :(

 

[fairchaser]

I've also missed the biggest buck I've ever seen! It happened nearly 20 years ago in Alberta Canada and the buck looked over 200 inches. I'm confident I could make the shot today and two years later I made a great shot on a world class buck at the same distance. But, at the time I was not prepared to make that shot on an animal that impressive. The brain and emotions have to be mature enough to keep the emotions in check enough when it's all on the line. In addition, I had not practiced making long shots. In our part of the world most shots are under 100 yards and that can be done with a point and bang approach but longer range shots involve a different execution. I spent the next two years getting more prepared and thankfully I had a second chance.

Unfortunately it's very difficult to practice shooting long range on a live animal that is probably a once in a lifetime chance. You have to have years and decades of experience that prepares the mind and body to ignore the brain when it says shoot now or else. Those giant bucks are well earned!

I feel your pain. I hope you get another chance at a great buck and this time you can make the shot.

 

[Hitit9999]

Man that is no good. Maybe you'll see him again

 

[grouser]

Hang in there, a lot of season left !

 

[JKC]

That sucks

 

[JKC]

That sucks