Missed my first deer today

H

Halguy

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Only shot 3 deer so still a novice hunter.

Feeling less pissed off after a shower and a few ciders but it is not a good feeling.

First off, I was looking at my phone when the deer came into view, glanced up and it’s head was down so it just blended into the woods but when I glanced up the 2nd time it was staring at me. Realized after the fact that I should’ve known the brown blob hadn’t been there 5 minutes earlier.

I was about 70 yards away at the end of a decades old logging road. Nice hardwood stand at the end that the deer normally come out of for my apple pile.

I thought I could get my gun into position without spooking the doe but it turned and ran as soon as I moved.

Kicking myself for not paying attention (had sat there for an hour and got bored) when I noticed that it had only moved about 10 feet to the right and back further down the road the same distance. It was lowering its head to eat and then coming back up and so I got the rifle into position, could see its whole torso but not the legs.

A bit on the rifle: this was my 3rd choice hunting rifle. My go-to Lee Enfield was all over the target when I went to test fire it before the season started and my 308 was stuck on 9X zoom so I had my 858. I had only fired it once but had a decent enough grouping at 100 yards to think I was confident with the gun. In retrospect, could not remember the sight picture I was using at 100 yards, had never hunted without a scope and should never have brought the gun out in the first place.

I took what felt like a long time (2 minutes) adjusting the sight picture, focusing in and out of the deer, front and rear sights and just generally not finding a clear view. I settled on what I thought was a good shot but again, in hindsight, I should have waited to see if the doe would come back into better view, towards my apples or let it run away.

Took three shots, the second and third were just automatic, no real attempt to see if my first had taken it. Which, as I type, I realize goes against hunter safety 101, always be 100% sure where your shot is going.

Deer was gone. Nice, easy to see tracks as it had rained for a week up until last night, followed them for 150 yards before they went into the thick, no blood.

####ty feeling for someone who prides themselves on hunting etiquette and ability to hit what I shoot at.

Getting a new scope for my 308 (recommendations welcome) and going back up tomorrow with my buddies 270 that is always bang on.

Never posted to this forum but thought I’d share. Misery loves company!

Oh, and I deleted every app on my phone so it’s text and phone calls only. Can’t believe I couldn’t take 3 hours without looking at it and it cost me a deer.
 
Is it the last day of hunting season ?
There is still time to cut the tag and next time maybe leave the dam phone in your pocket where it can not interrupt your hunting Season ?
There is always another day :)
Rob
 
Look at it as a learning experience and not as a chance to beat yourself up over it, #### can and will happen to us all. Many a time when I’m sitting and I’m bored or uncomfortable sitting on something do I think about pulling out the phone but then I realize I’m not there to play with my phone and to focus on the task at hand.

There’s always a next time.
 
I have hunted for several decades and harvested more deer than I can even remotely remember. I can also recall sitting bored in a stand for a couple of hours and similarly being distracted but by some weird luck looked up just at the right moment to see a nice sized whitetail walk into my sight picture. I could have easily missed it.

Just rotten luck on your part and you learn't some lessons so all was not lost. Hunt on, learning about deer and more importantly about yourself is all part of the fun :)
 
we can't get them all and even the best hunters can get distracted
as long as you had fun and learned something..... it was still a good day in the woods I bet.
My phone gets turned off after the alarm wakes me up on hunting days. I keep it charged and with me but turned off.
I go hunting to escape the outside world but it is nice to have a phone with you to serve as a camera , alarm clock and a safety tether for 911 or for calling home to keep the wife at ease on the long trips.
 
Its all part of deer hunting, experience you share with others. Few years back I was face to face with a 10 point buck from 30 yards away. We stare at each other for what seems like eternity. Finally he got bored and turn broadside to walk away. I aimed at the shoulder and fired with my combo gun. He jumped, did a 180 and look at me. I was waiting for him to drop but noooo, he just bolted away. I went to where he was standing looking for blood but instead I found white deer hair. I guess I gave him a close belly shave. I looked at my combo gun and I had rifle selected instead of slug. Rifle for long range and slug was for close quarter. I was really piss for making such a mistake. I know how you feel.

But I was rewarded next 2 years. Each year I go a 11 point buck and I got them both mounted. They are the 2 middle ones.

Keep at it, you will be rewarded.

bucks.jpg
 
No cell phone service where I am going and don't know how to use the Baefung radio which a friend was supposed to setup ...
 
I use a single shot shotgun so you know you only get one shot. I take the time to really make it right. I believe the success rate of 2nd or 3rd shots is so low that it's not worth it. You are more likely to make a poorly placed follow up, especially since the adrenaline is going.

As for the phone you have to pass the time somehow...
 
Tomorrow is a different day.

Everyone who has been at it long enough has missed an animal. There are two types of seasoned hunters: those who have missed animals and liars.
 
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