Ill also add a horror story of mine own to maby give you some comfort.
A couple years ago I started hunting a new farm, a couple weeks into it a clean 170 class 10 walks out to check some does. Ive never seen him before but Ive only been on this property for 2 weeks. long story short I ended up gut shooting him. I searched for 3 full days with nothing, I was sick. The 4th day with no ambition to really hunt, I forced myself back up in the tree. Not an hour later I rattled on the 170 ten to 15 yds, I couldnt believe I was getting a second shot at what had caused me to loose sleep over the past three nights. another long story short He jumped the string big and ran off with my arrow stuck solid in his head. I was in dis-belief. again I searched the property for 2 days with nothing. That time I actually got video of the shot, and everyone I showed it to thaught he would be fine. So at this point I really had no ambition to hunt, but figured I owed it to myself and the deer to keep at it if only to be able to see him again and make sure he was doing ok. At this point I decided it was either this deer or no deer at all. My logic being Ive already shot this deer twice, I dont know need to be shooting at anything els that year. Well it was two weeks later he showed back up again. He came cruising threw at 30 yds. I cant even explain the feeling I had, I didnt have a chance I was so shook up,(3 chances at a deer like this) what were the odds. Well for the third long story short I watched my arrow fly right over his back. My bow should have been equiped with wings at that point because I was done with it. That was the last time I saw him that year. I ate tag soup and after the worst season of my life I was fine with it.
The next year I was fortunate enough to have one more close encounter with him, and he was much bigger. The biggest typical Ive ever had close while hunting. he came into 5 yds behind me in a bunch of brush and locked up after scenting me. after a 10 min stand off he slowly backed his way out and was on his way. All I could do was smile and remember the year before and the he was one very special buck that ended up teaching me more than all the other deer I had ever hunted.
I never saw him again, and to this day I still look back and say "what if" or "if only"
If you take nothing els from this story, remember its just a deer, you never no what may transpire, and for gods sake if you do get a second shot at him make it count.
