Within a few minutes the old monarch had worked his way to within 100 yards of my location. As the buck dropped into the drainage where I was lying in wait, it became very clear to me that I was going to get a good shooting opportunity. That's when the adrenaline rush kicked in. Looking away, breathing deep, I focused on calming myself so as to be at the top of my game when the shot opportunity presented itself. As the buck approached 50 yards, I slowly handled my bow and squared myself to my quarry. Dusk was quickly settling into the area and I realized how blessed I was that this situation had presented itself in the nick of time. As the big fellow ghosted into range, I slowly pulled my bowstring. The next few seconds are remembered as if they were a dream. Looking into my peep sight, I swung my first pin onto the chest of the old timer as he came out from behind the last screen of brush. Subconsciously, the arrow was gone. A light "thump" returned to my ears as the buck scurried into the distance. Stopping on a nearby prairie, the buck sank into the grass as the fire in the western sky faded. Turning away, I thanked God for blessing me with the opportunity to put meat in my freezer and a trophy set of antlers on my wall. This had been a very good hunt. I had surprised the old magician himself. Basking in the afterglow, I felt very good about the fact that I'd done a lot to determine this sweet moment in my own destiny. Who says good luck can't be made?

Conclusion
Try to make all of your hunts a "first time" experience. You've got nothing to loose, and a lot to gain. Such an approach may open your bowhunting endeavors up to a whole new world of learning and success. If you're one that's never satisfied with the status quo, take a walk on the wild side; leave "normal" behind, stretch the envelope. Experimentation, challenge and learning; these are the real reasons why we go afield in the first place. And yes, the "big-racked" dividends really rock too!