The Best Shot You NEVER Took

[Duffy]

I had an idea that I thought would elicit some good discussion and stories. What is the best shot at a deer, or any other game, that you NEVER took, regardless of weapon, for whatever reason?

I’ll start off. Several years ago, when I was living in Pennsylvania, I was hunting on my uncle’s property on the last day of buck season. It was getting late, and a light snow was beginning to fall. I had taken a fair-sized buck earlier in the week near the spot where I was standing, but nothing was happening that day. I was about to call it quits, and just be satisfied with the one deer from earlier that week, when I was startled to see a decent-sized doe by herself about 40 yards to my right nibbling on browse and totally oblivious to my presence. I had a perfectly clear shooting lane, she didn’t know I was there, and I had my .30-30 raised, safety off, and boiler room in my crosshairs, ready to fire. The only problem was that it was buck season, and not doe season. And of course I realized this, but the temptation to shoot was powerful. To make a long story of my momentary insanity/moral struggle short, I did the right thing and lowered the rifle and just watched her until dark. She sauntered off eventually, and I walked to my car and went home satisfied with my decision, and grateful for the experience. Plus I have a story to tell!

What about everybody else?