I have been out every weekend since the open of general season and not had much luck. After not seeing anything during antlerless days, I saw a doe come through and just hang out within 30 yards for about a minute. Then a buck strolls along, he was walking after her. Dont know too much about deer behavior yet, but he wasn't chasing her aggressively. Not sure what his behavior means for the rut (upshur county). Anyway, I saw him and became a little clumsy. Went for the binoculars, decided he was a shooter. Went for the rifle, decided on a shooting lane, then he got closer. At this point I second guessed my decision that he was a shooter. Down with the rifle (iron sight 30/30) to grab the binoculars again. Ok he definitely is a shooter. Back up with the rifle only to have him sneak behind some brush and I lost my shot. This all happened within about 15-20 seconds. I feel like a moron, but I suppose it was a good learning experience as a new hunter. I sure hope that wasnt the only buck I will have a crack at.

It happens to all of us. Keep your head up and im sure you'll get another chance. Who knows, maybe a bigger one will walk out

It's a whole lot better to hold off if you're not sure and let one walk than it is to shoot and then pay the price for making a mistake!

IMHO You didn't "let one slip through", you exercised caution and good judgement. Once that bullet leaves the barrel you can't call it back.

It happens. Good luck the rest of the season, perhaps he will be back or bigger one will come by next time.

Words of wisdom here.....

Don't be to hard on yourself! It has happened to probably everyone who has been out chasing deer..... Myself included!!!

Yep it happens to all of us.

thanks guys. Makin me feel a little better. This was my first time seeing a buck following a doe in person. He was just walking along at a slow and steady pace following her. Probably stayed about 20-30 yards behind. What does that tell you experienced guys about the rut? Upshur County

I was out a weekend ago with my 11 yo son, with the sole intent of the trip to get him his first buck/deer. We were sitting in the blind when a young buck came walking out just passed sunset, but got spooked quickly, blew a few snorts and ran off. I rattled a bit and sure enough he came walking back but was skittish...he kept looking toward us, but we weren't making too much noise. Then I saw thru the binos he wasn't looking at us, he was looking beyond us. Light was passing quickly, but I turned around and saw another deer coming from behind us. I swung my binos and thought I saw all doe, but another look and a small tilt of the deers head told me he was a buck and a shooter. I had my son quickly but quietly try to turn and get a position to fire on him. He did a great job of getting the gun up, and in position, but with the fleeting light and malpositioned body, never got comfortable on the shot. At this point, the bigger buck was standing almost face to face witht he smaller one, I thought we were going to see a spar...only the little one bowed out before anything happened and the bigger buck walked away from us never presenting another opportunity for a shot. I was proud of how my son reacted, not taking or rushing a shot and waiting until he felt completely comfortable before doing anything. As Hunt n Fish said above, once fired, you can't recall a bullet.

Lesson learned by all, keep your head on a swivel and don't expect the well travelled lanes to be where the big ones will walk out!

Forget the rut, sounds like you need some glass on that 30-30 if you need to keep puttin it down with deer @ 30-60 yards.

Irons are cool for the range, but glass will give you the edge so stuff like this doesn't happen, unless you got tons of time to sit out in the field and hope he or another comes by, or the deer come and sit in your lap. Been there done that, My eyes ain't all that great, and deer never stay 'put' where you want them to be, and things like fog happen.

yes, but i am hunting with what i have for now. If you want to donate a rifle w/ scope I will gladly accept. I am only asking about the rut because I am curious to learn.

Agreed. It's much easier to swallow a decision to hold off and let'em walk, than to pull the trigger and find out you've made a mistake.

My suggestion is to create a sequential check list of characteristics that will help you gauge a buck in the shortest length of time. In other words, the list of characteristics should be in the order in which they can be most quickly identified.

For example, I first look at the legs to see if they appear short or long on the body. Mature bucks have "stumpy" legs that appear short on the body. Next, I check the mass of the antlers at the base of the head. Mass is a much more reliable measure of age than overall width and height. These, along with the thickness of the neck, can be gauged from almost any angle. If these yield a passing score, I look at the spread and height of the rack, which I usually cannot see at first. That's the key, check what you can in the quickest order in which you can.

You'll get another opportunity. Good learning experience though

You'll get another chance. "When in doubt DO NOT SHOOT!" It's better to be certain what you are shooting at rather than have major ground shrinkage.

experience and knowledge gained = successful hunt

It's all part of hunting.

X2 you made the right decision

I love a .30-30 myself. Hang in there your actions were those of someone making sure of their target. Which is always a good thing.

As for the rutting question, anytime a buck is trailing a doe it indicates rutting behavior. Your doe was most likely coming into heat and the buck was simply with her for that reason. He could have been just checking her but normally that is a much quicker and more haphazard process because it is done by a buck in a hurry that is cruising.

You played it right. It's very easy to get over-excited and think your deer is bigger than it is. There is a phenomenon called "ground shrinkage" that happens to a buck's rack when the dead deer hits the ground.

No matter what others tell you scopes are not for judging animals. That's what binoculars are for. You did good.

Yep, binocs till you're sure. I glassed a 130 for 20 mins. last week before realizing it was an old 5.5 buck. Then out came the 270!

My god, what the hell is wrong with you? Humiliating error.









Just kidding. I've done way worse.

X2 I'm in an antler restricted county this year, pretty thick woods, there won't be time to switch between binocs and the rifle sights where I hunt...I have optics on both my rifle and my son's, if they are worth checking out through the lense, I want to be ready to shoot.

This and it prob was pre rut and usually 9 times out of 10 that was not the big buck. The big buck trails even farther behind the lead buck following and when that doe is ready that BIG one that you didnt see will come in for the breeding. That buck would have been right on her if she was ready to be breed. you did the right thing. my suggestion is to get out there asap bc once you have deer following its a matter of a few days to a week and she will be ready to go and thats when the big boys dont pay attation to whats going on bc they only have one thing on there mind you just have to be at the right place at the right time. good luck to you