Well Dogfish - you just described my first shot at a deer. Almost the same scenerio, just a different location. My Dad and I were hunting a brushy draw north of Arlington and it was morning with some drifting fog. We saw a deer but the fog drifted in and Dad thought it was a doe so we stood still. As the fog drfited away we could see horns and I had a clean shot at about the same distance. Two shots later, we saw the deer waving at us with his tail and his pink raisin. No blood. I had the shakes so bad I was almost hyperventilating.
Dad was supportive just like you are and I didn't miss next time. That happened about 1958 and your story brought it all back. Thanks for reviving the memory. My Dad died last December 4th and I've been thinking a lot about him lately. Your son won't forget the experience either.