KNOWING you're in the right spot

[GMMAT]

First time I've ever felt it (other than the rut) was yesterday. I wasn't disappointed....although I only saw small bucks (NO DOES).

I got a small taste of what many of you guys strive for every season.....and I canunderstand it's addictive qualities. In the future....I could see me seeking out these kind of spots as a mindset.

Nothing to do with "maturing" as a hunter (nothing like that). Just a different mindset. I still love hunting "deer".....but see me trying to "specialize" my hunting more in the future.

I knew I was in a good spot the moment I saw it. So maybe THAT is part of the maturation process. We'll see.....if I'm able to recreate the scenario more often in the future.

I've been afield over 180 times, now......and I'd never felt more confident in a set.....even though I'd never set foot in that spot. This "hunt" began back in the summer....and came to fruition yesterday.....with nothing being harvested. Still....I consider it one of my most successful hunts, ever.

Thanks to all of you who helped me with my aerials/topos. We'll see how it progresses, there.

[HuntingEd]

going back out there soon jeff?

[mobow]

Pretty righteous on the few times it actually works, huh?

[gri22ly]

Thats awesome Jeff, You Da Man. GOOD LUCK andwelcome aboard.

[HoytSpeed]

Amen to that! Here in VA i don't get to find many of those spots...especially huntin on Quantico base, but i too had that feeling last saturday evening. And it was exactly as you described. I think i've dreamed about it every night this week, how i could change my setup, and how to better myself.

[wis_bow_huntr]

I hear ya. I had a hard time deciding which stand to sit in lastnight, well my gut told me in the northwest corner along one of our cornfields, sure as heck, I had 9 mature does come through. Nothing offered a shot. Im going to say by this weeknd the bucks should be showing themselves more. This time fo the year I like to hunt the does, if you hunt the does, the bucks should come.

[NY Bowhunter]

I had that exact feeling this morning right up until the point where an 8 pointer came from where he wasn't supposed to and busted me. On second thought I wasn't set up very good.

[kwilson16]

I just read a good book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell: alot of current research suggests that automatic, unconscious thoughts and impressionsmay be more accurate than detailed analysis. In other words, our gut feelings may be more reliable than we ever dreamed for medical, marital and financial decisions. Our automatic unconscious brain is making millions of decisionsof whichwe're unaware.

This explains why sometimes we have a powerful sixth sense of what is right for a stand site, wife or whatever.May your gut feeling about your stand site bring you luck!

[virginiashadow]

Amen to that! Here in VA i don't get to find many of those spots...especially huntin on Quantico base

Hoytspeed--considering we hunt the same base, I truly understand where you are coming from...it can be tough as heck.

Last week I speed scouted an area on Thursday. Something felt real good about that spot. I snuck back in with the wind in my face Friday afternoon at 12 noon. At 3 pm, I texted my wife and said, "I have a feeling about this spot babe"....less than 60 seconds later a buck walks by 50 yards upwind of me. I couldn't believe it. That was the first time in the first two weeks of season that I actually expected to see deer. So far for me....7 sits and seen 6 deer. Been tough.

[dukemichaels]

It livens a mans heart inside when he knows he's close. I love hunting them.

Good luck Jeff.