2nd Chance Buck

On the afternoon of 11/1 which was NH muzzleloader opening day I missed a buck from my treestand. It was 60 yards in front of my stand with it's nose about 5-10 ft from my scent dripper. The deer ran away zigzagging with it's tail wagging in circles. My immediate thought was he was hit in a non desirable spot. I checked for blood with no luck. I went back the next morning and spent a few hours without success. It was on my mind for a few days afterwards that I could miss a shot that was basically handed to me.

I went back to the same stand 1 week later. It was raining and warm. After a few hours I got one glimpse of a deer in the mountain laurels that lasted all of 1 second. I noticed a clearing about 40 yards and hoped he would step into it. I waited about 1.5 hours before he finally stepped out into that clearing. I double lunged him at 110 yards. A true bang/flop without a blood trail. It was the same deer I missed the week earlier. He was a 4 pt-121 lbs. I was very fortunate to get a second opportunity. You take what you can get in NH. The scent dripper was within 100 yards of his core bedding area so it kept him around even after already getting shot at. I would post a pic but I do not know how.