I got up at 4:30 Saturday morning, ate, showered, put on my hunting clothes and gathered my gear. On the way to my stand, I had to stop 4 times b/c it was sooo hot. I was sure that by the time I got there, I'd be soaked from sweat, but resting a few times really helped. Anyways, first thing I did was flush a pheasant at about 5:30 on the way in! Funny thing was, I'm used to seeing them out there and it didn't make me jump at all.

Anyways, I finally get to the tree I'm gonna climb and I notice I'm running late. It's still dark out, but I like to be in the tree well before light. So I start setting up my climber when I hear a few deer, no more than 30 yards away run out of the woods where I'm at. I was sort of pissed at myself that I didn't get up a little earlier. So I climb about 12 feet up the tree and get situated, right before sun-up. Just after first light, I hear a few deer off to my right and behind me a little. I think it was the same 4 I scared off a little earlier. I watch them for about 30 minutes when the small buck wanders over my way. I usually let the small ones walk, but being opening day, and not having venison in the freezer, I decide I'll take the shot if presented w/ a good oportunity.

He walks by me, almost directly under my stand and moves behind a tree, about 8 feet from the tree I'm in. I draw, and wait, and wait, and wait, but his vitals are still behind the tree, so I let the bow out. I watch him for about another minute or so, and he starts browsing like he's going to come out from behind the tree, so I draw for the 2nd time. This time he does step out and I released an arrow. He jumped a little, then took off, went about 35 yds, fell, got back up and moved another 5 yds, and was down for the count.

Now don't forget that was 88 degrees up here in Northern VA on Saturday. I don't the other 2 does and doe fawn are standing around wondering what happened. The go back to feeding, but don't leave the area. I didn't want to spook them out of the area, but I also didn't want to hang around all day while my deer spoiled. They finally left after a while, and I climbed down, tagged the buck, and headed home. It was definitely the hottest day I've ever bowunted in my life. I dressed, checked, and butchered the deer pretty quickly Sat. morning. It was a good hunt, but I almost felt like it was over before it started. We had venison backstraps and tenderloin last night for my younger bro's B-Day party, and boy was it ever good! Just thought I'd share a little.