Well, I got on the stand this morning at 5:30 and by 5:50ish I heard steps. Sounded like three deer moving along slowly. By 6:00 I heard what sounded like a deer in the field to my right front. It was getting daylight and soon I saw a deer jump the old one strand fence to my front. It seems to be getting pushed because that's not where they usually cross and it ran a few steps before stopping. That is when I saw another deed coming straight towards me along the edge of the field.
This deer had his head down and I could see a big rack. I got ready as he sniffed along on a perfect line. I decided where I wanted to get the shot and he went to it. It was about 7-8 yards in front of me but when he stopped he was directly facing me with his head down. I needed him to turn either way. I had the bow ready and then he turned. I began to draw the bow but he took a step and in a milisecond I decided that it would be an even better shot if I waited until he walked around the tree to my right....big mistake. He went behind the tree but they walked at a 45 degree angle away from me leaving me with no shot. He was a 10 pointer and a beauty at that. It would have been the largest buck I've ever taken with a bow. He rubbed his head and neck on every bush until he disappeared. I'm still not sure why he willingly left the other deer unless it was another buck that he had ran off.
A little while later I caught a glimpse of another deer walking but not coming my way. At 10:00 I looked left and an extremely large spike was headed straight to me. He got to about 10 yards and the debate went on and on in my head. Do I shoot this spike or not? Finally, he caught my wind and became alert then did a 180 and began walking off so I didn't shoot.
I had a chance to shoot that 10 pointer and I hesitated. Those opportunities don't come along every day so I'm beating myself up pretty good over that one.
Below are some pictures from my stand. The one with the broadhead pointing down to the ground shows exactly where the buck was at. The one with the arrow going horizontally with the tree line shows the line he walked to me.
