Same sit. Was hunting a pinch between a bluff and a deep ditch. Sat there a few weeks ago and had a nice buck at grey light walk that ditch. Got by me and no bow shot. Wind was good to hit it again. It’s been 3-4 weeks since I’d been in there. Got in early, 45 min before first light and just listened. Akern raining in the dark and I could hear echoes of hulls being popped up the ridge in the dark. It was a timing game waiting to see if they’d hold up there till shooting light. When it got light enough I could see about 50 yards I heard him walking down the ditch just like clockwork. I was already holding in a hole I could see into that ditch just waiting to pick up movement. By the time I could pick him up he was in the hole and gone. Inset expletive here. Started looking for another hole down stream and all a sudden he came digging up out of the ditch and was broadside in the wide open at 15 yards. Click, bang, RUNNOFT, crash. Done. That was 0725. At 0800 here comes the wagon train of does and yearlings. The first 4 passed by no problem. I had my eye on a fatty about 6 back when #5 looked dead up in the tree and picked me off and started doin’ what women do. She blew, took two hops and stopped and blew for the last time. She blows, she goes.
Plot Twist! Went to lay hands on the buck and found out it wasn’t the deer I thought it was. I’m no trophy hunter so my disappointment lasted as long as it takes to say, “meh.” and slap a tag on him.