The one that got away

[jag1]

Recently, Mup posed the question about which is your favorite deer and why. It was a great stroll down memory lane and good to see other's responses. For those that don't hunt, I think they would be somewhat surprised at our responses as they think we're all about trophy hunting...which we all love a good rack right? But it's more than that too.
My question today is of the deer that "got away", which haunts you to this day?

For those of you old enough to remember the Jim Kelly days of the Buffalo Bills, you will remember that he won all kinds of games, AFC championships, etc, but he never could close the deal on the biggest stage. I've been Jim Kelly for years. Sometimes it was buck fever, sometimes just plain bad luck. From drawing down on a nice wide 10 point during bow season that would have walked through two trees to present broadside at 10 yards...but jumped back after running into a single barb wire strand running between the two trees thereby taking a different route ultimately busting me TO missing a wide open broadside shot in a cut cornfield at the biggest bodied deer I'd ever seen. 75 yards! He was so big, his rack looked average and it wasn't average! Buck fever on that one. As bad as those were they don't compare to the Goody's buck. I'll share his story after reading some of yours.

Hope you're having a restful, peaceful day with family. As I believe, SgWebb put it, the reason we celebrate is for the hope and joy we have in the birth of our Saviour. He is where we find peace, He is where we find comfort and look to for our source of encouragement. Man will disappoint you EVERY time. I have to remind myself of that sometimes as I listen to the political debate going on in our country.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Huge mainframe 8 with a drop tine on a West TN WMA. I had several does come down a trail, drilled the back doe, she tumbled over in sight. This huge buck was 5 minutes behind them on the same trail. I tried to keep my cool and knew I need to be patient and wait for a perfect shot. Unfortunately I was way to close to the trail. The buck got to 5 yards quartering to me, I got to nervous, and shot. Arrow barely stuck in the shoulder, one of those flipper flappers that I would no longer use. We tracked and looked for 2 days to no avail. Live and learn.

 

[Smo]

Last season..

This season....

Only because of mistaken identity....
He came in just after shooting light on opening day of M/L season, but no where near in the condition of when this pic was made a few weeks earlier...

 

[jag1]

Huge mainframe 8 with a drop tine on a West TN WMA. I had several does come down a trail, drilled the back doe, she tumbled over in sight. This huge buck was 5 minutes behind them on the same trail. I tried to keep my cool and knew I need to be patient and wait for a perfect shot. Unfortunately I was way to close to the trail. The buck got to 5 yards quartering to me, I got to nervous, and shot. Arrow barely stuck in the shoulder, one of those flipper flappers that I would no longer use. We tracked and looked for 2 days to no avail. Live and learn.

That's how I "messed" up that bow buck. His path brought him quartering too me, I was already drawn and he stopped just looked up at me. I held it as long as I could. Made the decision I could make the shot. Learned a lot that day about bow hunting, no quartering toward OR shooting at an alerted deer for me. Hard lesson.

 

[Deer Assassin]

Easy
Williamson county 2015
I had killed a my best public land buck that morning (bonus) and wanted to legally kill 2 in same day
30 min before dark huge 10 stepped out into field I was in a tree 10 yds in field
I turned around at an awkward angle
Just flat flubbed shot
Clean miss 10-15 yds

 

[THEdonkey0515]

was at LBL 2 years ago I made the mistake of wearing to much clothes on a evening hunt. I didn't really know where I was going, but after walking up and down ridges forever I finally found a good spot. I got set up about 45 minutes into my hunt I was burning up I couldn't take it anymore so I stood up slung off some clothes and set back down only to see a dang good buck looking right at me 60 yards away he was tall and wide.... big deer he just watched me get up and take my jacket off his eyes fixed on me. Nothing I could do as soon as I went to lift my gun he was gone. I thought about that hunt alot If I would have set still another 2 mins he could be on my wall right now.

i don't know if he would have been my biggest, he would have been pushing for that spot for sure.

 

[KTS]

This one still hurts today. Oct.15, 1987 at 10:15, I was thinking about getting down from my stand when I heard footsteps heading my way. There were two bucks angling toward my stand.
The one in front was a really nice and wide 10 point, the other buck was about 20 yards behind. The 10 was going to pass by my stand at about 20 yds. When I saw the other buck I never looked at the 10 again.
This buck was a monster 8 point, the kind you dream about. The biggest deer I had ever laid eyes on, lots of mass and just huge. He was going to pass exactly where the 10 did at about 20 yds.
My heart just hit me in the chin, I was just tore all to pieces.
When he got broadside I just shot at the deer, didn't pick a spot or anything. He wheeled around and just stood there, I managed to get another arrow out and did the same thing again, I was a wreck.
This time he ran back the way he came about thirty yards and just stood there looking and stomping the ground.
I had calmed down a little bit and grunted real soft a couple of times and he started walking directly toward my stand.
For some unknown reason I had completely calmed down and said come on big boy I am going to kill you. He walked directly under my stand at about 5 yards, I drew and released what I thought was a perfect shot as I was very calm and confident.
He absolutely exploded and was crashing down the hill running over saplings and sounded like a death run.
I waited for a little while and never heard another sound, I got down and my arrow was sticking in the ground. I pulled it out and looked at it and couldn't believe my eyes.
The arrow was clean as a whistle, no blood, no hair, no nothing.
It was a clean miss that to this day can't believe how.
I was so devastated that I was physically sick.
I didn't bow hunt after that for two years. I have tried to put this buck out of my mind for many years but he still remains and always will.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Two come to mind.

First was during ML season probably about 4-5 years ago. Beautiful tall, thick buck chases does 40 yards away not allowing a shot due to THICK brush and movement. Finally stopped broadside at about 70 yards away allowing a very narrow lane to his vitals. I got my scope on him (shooting a Savage MLII) and settled the crosshairs, just started the squeeze, and then he took off again. If I'd been a half second quicker then he'd have been mine, but he ran off never to be seen again. Thankful I was able to stop my squeeze and not fire.

Second happened last rifle season. Big buck came through the thick stuff not offering a shot, and walked straight away back onto private land. Passed on the shot. A few minutes later he started chasing a doe through the thick stuff back onto public. I setup for a left handed shot through the only window I had. Doe trotted through at 75ish yards, and I could see him follow. He came into the opening, paused, I squeezed, and the buck dropped when the 30-06 barked. He lifted his head a couple of times, but laid still and I didn't take another shot due to him laying with the backstraps being towards me. I thought that he was done. I looked at my phone long enough to text my dad and wife "buck down," then looked back up to see him struggling back to his feet, and wobbling through the thick stuff again. No shot. When I got to where he had been he jumped a few yards away, running off and leaving no blood trail. Looked like a murder scene where I had dropped him, but no blood trail past 10 feet.

 

[Snake]

I still have nightmares about two different bucks . One big 10 point in Giles early 90's . Seen him come off from a ridge top and come into the field I was watching , huge body to boot . The tree I was in I was maybe15 yards from a well worn trail and the wind was perfect . When I first seen him I about had a heart attack , trying to calm myself down I started talking to myself (yall know) , so thinking to myself be patient. When he first cleared the briar thicket approaching the trail I shouldered my trusty Marlin 45-70 but the adjoining tree branch wouldn't give me a clear shot . One side of me wanted to try and punch it through the other side was saying be patient he'll hit the trail then come straight to you . Nope he went right across the trail and up the other ridge not offering a shot . I about cried ! It was getting close to time to head back home and I had my cousin with me with no cell phones I really couldn't wait much longer . That buck was the first buck I actually heard grunt and he was grunting alot later understanding he was following a doe which had got by me some how . About to get down when off the ridge he went up I could here a deer coming off it towards me so I stayed in the stand . Here comes a doe , came right into the field hit the trail I was watching but just a minute or two later here come another deer and it was grunting . In my mind I was telling myself here he comes but nope out stepped a really decent buck and followed the doe step by step. I'm over here 200 miles from home and I'm trying to talk myself out of killing this buck but it was time to go home so I killed him . Turned out he was just a six point but he was an older buck . Trying to be joyous but knowing I didn't get the big one took some of that away. Seen that buck again fighting another buck but couldn't get anywhere near decent shot on him and just watched him go up the holler instead coming into the field as I had positioned my stand closer to where I had seen him cross the weekend before . Ended up killing the buck he was fighting with a really good 8 point that had just had his hind end kicked by big boy . Never seen him again . Number 2 buck was a big a bodied buck I'd ever seen in the wild with a rack to boot in Lewis Co. did get a shot a him but clipped a twig that off set my shot , last day if season so never got a chance at that buck again . Think about both of those alot . Sorry for the long post .

 

[jag1]

This one still hurts today. Oct.15, 1987 at 10:15, I was thinking about getting down from my stand when I heard footsteps heading my way. There were two bucks angling toward my stand.
The one in front was a really nice and wide 10 point, the other buck was about 20 yards behind. The 10 was going to pass by my stand at about 20 yds. When I saw the other buck I never looked at the 10 again.
This buck was a monster 8 point, the kind you dream about. The biggest deer I had ever laid eyes on, lots of mass and just huge. He was going to pass exactly where the 10 did at about 20 yds.
My heart just hit me in the chin, I was just tore all to pieces.
When he got broadside I just shot at the deer, didn't pick a spot or anything. He wheeled around and just stood there, I managed to get another arrow out and did the same thing again, I was a wreck.
This time he ran back the way he came about thirty yards and just stood there looking and stomping the ground.
I had calmed down a little bit and grunted real soft a couple of times and he started walking directly toward my stand.
For some unknown reason I had completely calmed down and said come on big boy I am going to kill you. He walked directly under my stand at about 5 yards, I drew and released what I thought was a perfect shot as I was very calm and confident.
He absolutely exploded and was crashing down the hill running over saplings and sounded like a death run.
I waited for a little while and never heard another sound, I got down and my arrow was sticking in the ground. I pulled it out and looked at it and couldn't believe my eyes.
The arrow was clean as a whistle, no blood, no hair, no nothing.
It was a clean miss that to this day can't believe how.
I was so devastated that I was physically sick.
I didn't bow hunt after that for two years. I have tried to put this buck out of my mind for many years but he still remains and always will.

This one still hurts today. Oct.15, 1987 at 10:15, I was thinking about getting down from my stand when I heard footsteps heading my way. There were two bucks angling toward my stand.
The one in front was a really nice and wide 10 point, the other buck was about 20 yards behind. The 10 was going to pass by my stand at about 20 yds. When I saw the other buck I never looked at the 10 again.
This buck was a monster 8 point, the kind you dream about. The biggest deer I had ever laid eyes on, lots of mass and just huge. He was going to pass exactly where the 10 did at about 20 yds.
My heart just hit me in the chin, I was just tore all to pieces.
When he got broadside I just shot at the deer, didn't pick a spot or anything. He wheeled around and just stood there, I managed to get another arrow out and did the same thing again, I was a wreck.
This time he ran back the way he came about thirty yards and just stood there looking and stomping the ground.
I had calmed down a little bit and grunted real soft a couple of times and he started walking directly toward my stand.
For some unknown reason I had completely calmed down and said come on big boy I am going to kill you. He walked directly under my stand at about 5 yards, I drew and released what I thought was a perfect shot as I was very calm and confident.
He absolutely exploded and was crashing down the hill running over saplings and sounded like a death run.
I waited for a little while and never heard another sound, I got down and my arrow was sticking in the ground. I pulled it out and looked at it and couldn't believe my eyes.
The arrow was clean as a whistle, no blood, no hair, no nothing.
It was a clean miss that to this day can't believe how.
I was so devastated that I was physically sick.
I didn't bow hunt after that for two years. I have tried to put this buck out of my mind for many years but he still remains and always will.

Man, I can still feel your pain man. Remembering the time, year AND the time! I bet you were a wreck. When they're that close you feel like you can almost will them onto your wall but it ain't over till it's over isn't it?!

 

[backyardtndeer]

Think it was 2006 first archery segment, had a nice 10 in range and drew my bow. There was a limb in the way, I needed the buck to take a few steps to be clear. A little 4 point out ahead of him got far enough around too catch my wind. He trotted back past the 10. The 10 just stood there looking around. I probably could have squeezed the shot in if I aimed a tad forward but opted to wait. The buck turned looked around and followed the little buck.

Later on that season saw the buck again with my oldest daughter with me, she was the hunter. She could not get high enough over the rail on the stand to get the deer in the scope. Never saw the deer again after that.

 

[JJ3]

A big main frame 8 pt (140 class) in 2008. First season with a ML — I watched this buck much of the morning as he cruised back and forth 200 - 400 yards from me in the next field from the one I was sitting in. That afternoon I sat in a stand in that field but didn't see anything, although about 4:30, I had heard a deer blow back towards my path out. I decided to get down about 5:15 about 10 min before legal. Walking out through the corn field, I jumped him and a doe. The doe ran off, and then he just stood looking at me 40 yards away broadside. Put the crosshairs on him and pulled the trigger and "pop". The percussion cap fired but the pellets didn't. We looked at each other for a few moments and then I just watched him walk off in the fading light. I've only had a misfire one other time with the ML. That view of him in the cross hairs is still crystal clear like it was yesterday.

 

[bwgarrett3]

Mine is a bit different but i still relive it and think "what if" often. Years ago on a Catoosa hunt was when mine happened. Right after daylight I heard a buck grunting and headed my direction. Doe came over the hill with a buck right behind her. To this day I have not seen a bigger buck. I had to yell at him to get him to stop. I squeezed the trigger and he took off on a death run over the ridge. My dad radioed and told me to wait on him. While waiting, I heard a truck on the road on the other side of the ridge. Never thought a thing about it until we tracked my deer to an empty bed where he had apparently died. Not 100% sure someone took that deer but from the blood trail sprayed on both sides of the trail I'm pretty sure that's what happened. I know for a fact it would have been my biggest deer BY FAR.

 

[jag1]

Mine is a bit different but i still relive it and think "what if" often. Years ago on a Catoosa hunt was when mine happened. Right after daylight I heard a buck grunting and headed my direction. Doe came over the hill with a buck right behind her. To this day I have not seen a bigger buck. I had to yell at him to get him to stop. I squeezed the trigger and he took off on a death run over the ridge. My dad radioed and told me to wait on him. While waiting, I heard a truck on the road on the other side of the ridge. Never thought a thing about it until we tracked my deer to an empty bed where he had apparently died. Not 100% sure someone took that deer but from the blood trail sprayed on both sides of the trail I'm pretty sure that's what happened. I know for a fact it would have been my biggest deer BY FAR.

Back in the late 70's ago my uncle had a somewhat similar experience in Benton County. He shot a deer that ran over the ridge. He tracked it after waiting for about 30 minutes. When he found it another man was field dressing it and they had words about who shot the deer, etc. My uncle decided it wasn't worth it and walked away. People can really suck.

 

[Lost Lake]

A couple stand out.

Back in 1988, I had two different bucks get by me that I'll never forget, both during archery season.

First was in Montgomery county, and was a giant of a ten point with a huge yellowish rack. I watched him all summer in bean fields, but lost him when bow season started. He'd been bedding in a small block of woods near the farm owners shop where I parked, and he probably watched me walk by to my stands on the ridges above the creek bottoms. I jumped him one day, as I curiously checked out that block, and we stood eye to eye for a few seconds. Prettiest buck I've ever seen. Killed by an acquaintance on the neighboring farm that gun season. Scored in the upper 150's and dressed over 200.

Second was another ten point in Area 7 at Ft. Campbell that chased does by me for the better part of the two days that I had that area drawn. Never could get a shot at him, and I'll never forget that chocolate rack, and looking back, I'd guess he was in the 150 range as well.

Both of those bucks will haunt me for a long time. There are several others though.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Many years ago when muzzleloader was split into two seasons....it was the second muzzleloader season....I had seen a tall heavy 8 with super mass while hanging a lock on stand....then the following weekend I was hunting the lock on and heard deer coming off main ridge behind me....looked back and saw a young doe coming directly to the back of my tree....once directly under me she stopped....she got my scent....started stomping and blowing....I could hear second deer on same trail coming but it stopped 60 to 70 yards directly behind me....she was blowing and stomping....I had no choice but to turn around and look.... freaking giant 10 point.... perfect typical frame....well outside his ears....tall tines....long main beams....150s easy..... shouldered old side hammer muzzleloader with no scope....twisted around in a terrible position and tried the shot....smoke cleared and he was just standing there....doe took off down in holler and up to the next ridge...buck ran back to the head of the holler....when the doe made it to top of the next ridge he was right back on her tail.....that whole series of events taught me allot about stand placement and it also cost me some money....because shortly after I purchased my first in-line with a scope.....I've been blessed to kill some good bucks since that day....but I'll never forget that giant wide 10pt.

Sadly that farm sold the following year.....so I called the new owner seeking permission.....his words were "I wouldn't really care...but my son probably would.... because while working in the back field this summer he saw a big tall 8pt and a really wide 10pt running together"....I just said....yeah I'm familiar with both bucks and just wished his son luck.....never heard if either buck was ever taken? But I can still clearly see that 10pt in my mind.

 

[DRSJ35]

This year I dosed off unknowingly. And was awoken to crashing sounds all around me. Startled me and I jerked head up and to the right. guess I had my chin resting on my chest sitting in my climber. Of course there was a beautiful 10 point standing 5 yards to my right and back a little. He seen me jerk my had up and was looking right at me. My gun was resting across my stand with the business end pointing the opposite direction. I cocked back the hammer tried to ease my gun around and hit it on the stand. And boom off he went. Then I stood up only to find out all the noise was him chasing multiple doe's all around me. If I'd been awake I could have killed it no problem. The rest of this year hasn't been any better. And I haven't fell asleep. By the way this was all at Catoosa last muzzleloader hunt. I've been disgusted about it since then. Hope I get another chance next year. Oh and this time I hope to have a camper instead of a tent.

 

[jag1]

On the Saturday following Thanksgiving in 2014, I woke up with a splitting headache about 30 minutes prior to my normal wake-up time to get ready for the hunt. I could hear the wind howling out of the north outside the window and thought with this headache and that wind, sleep is what I need. So I took a Goody's powder and tried to go back to sleep. After tossing and turning for the next hour, I decided to hit the woods cause you can't kill em lying in bed right? I was hunting a piece of property across the road the past several years and had a couple of places I generally would hang my Summit climber. This morning since I was running late, I decided to hunt a closer spot on this property. It was at least 7:00 by the time I climbed my tree which was on the side of a finger near the beginning of where that draw flattened out. I had just gotten to the top of my climb, wind howling still out of the north, when I went to "settle" the stand down onto the tree good. As I did, I looked out from my tree to see this big old 10 pt buck about twenty yards from my tree just uphill from me. He was beautiful. Just like I had always imagined my dream buck..wide, great mass with some gnarl to his main beams and just a beautiful dark smoky gray color and a big old roman nose. I couldn't believe he hadn't seen/heard me climbing that tree but I guess the wind worked for me in that regard. Only thing was my dang rifle was still on the ground! I slowly felt for my rope and began slowly pulling up the rifle. Everything was going smoothly until the rifle lifted off the leaves. He immediately swiveled that massive rack in my direction looking intently for the source of that sound. I froze for what seemed an eternity. Finally he looks away and I pull upwards until he looks back...I freeze. This went on for a few minutes until I got the rifle up and over into the stand. As I shouldered the rifle and got him in the crosshairs, I just remembered thinking, Finally after all these years.... I pulled the hammer back on my Marlin 35 and he heard that metallic click and that sucker took off like a scalded dog never stopping once to look back. I was absolutely sick..still am. I called my buddy after I got home to relay the story. You know he says, if you pull the hammer while slightly depressing the trigger it won't do that. That would have been good information to have beforehand
Of the ones that have gotten away and there have been several, he haunts me to this day.