Sitting in the tree stand this morning not seeing anything when I look up and the biggest 12 point deer I've ever seen is walking straight towards me  . I try to reach for my bow slowly but everytime I move he freezes and stares me down. Played cat and mouse with him for what seemed like 30 minutes but was probably a minute or two before I got my bow down. He was walking fast for the tree line and I was having a heck of time knocking an arrow while I was shaking like I was having a seizure  :. Raised the bow to draw and again he froze, a single step from being behind hedge limbs that would block and shot and he would be gone. Without warning and way to fast for me to react he bounced forward into the trees and was gone  :'(. No amount of grunting or rattling could get his attention, he was on a mission and I couldn't stop him, all I could do was watch him walk up and over the hill and disappear. I've replayed that moment hundreds of time in my head when he was frozen broadside at 20 yards staring me down, wish I would have just tried to draw and let loose and hope he didn't bolt. Now I just have to hope that he makes a mistake again and gives me a little more warning next time!

The shakes of excitement will get you everytime.

Thats what keeps you coming back for more!

geez, bet that's like a 10 pounder coming off the hook. better luck next time.

If the deer has not winded me or started stomping I have no problem drawing on a deer that thinks something is up.  A deer's main reason to run is they smell something wrong and when they are in rut, the bucks tend to not trust their eyes.

Bluebasser, don't sweat it.  You already experienced the best part of that hunt.  You will have the chance at others. 

atleast you had a chance, i eyed several doe and a buck yesterday evening for over half hour waiting for a chance to get a good shot on the buck, then here comes my uncle around the corner up in the field on a tractor that scares all the deer away. talking bout he was coming to check on me, i was so friggin mad.