Deer are very curious creatures. About 5 years ago, I got in my stand about 45 minutes before sunrise on opening day. I did not get much sleep the night before, because to me opening day is a lot like Christmas Eve.

About 7:30 I woke up not even knowing I had dozed off. I awoke to a big doe staring straight at me about 10 yards away. I don't care how cool you are. When you wake up to a deer staring straight at you, you are not going to awake in smooth fashion. She immediately made a short run then stopped and snort wheezed and 2 more deer ran off about 30 yards in front of me.

I am sure I was snoring, and I was in full camo in the tree. I think she was just trying to fugure out what I was.

My goal every year is to get a good night sleep the night before opening day. I am better at it but I still go through severe drowsy spells in the woods.

C. Davis