The season is starting in 4 days up here in Ontario where I hunt. I have been in the same area and group for three years, this being my Fourth. I have yet to get a deer. The closest I came was last year.
I had to pull out of my hunt the day after opening because of a suddenly sick child at home. So instead of being in my stand at sun-up, I was packing up my sleeping gear and clothing at camp. After that was all packed up, I left for my stand to gather up the rest of my essentials. With my mind on my sick daughter, I was not really paying attention to my surroundings as I walked to my stand. I put my rifle against the tree as I struggled with my tree stand and gear and was interupted by a snort. Looking up, not 15 yards away from me was a beautiful 8-point buck. We stared at each other for a few seconds as my brain tried to assimilate what was happening. I could see my rifle about three yards away, but knew that I couldn't get to it without spooking the buck. Almost sighing in resignation, I looked straight at the buck and said aloud "Next year!". With that, the buck flipped me the flag and bounded up and over the slash pile he had been standing beside. <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
I know I could've done things different, but as I held my fevered child that night, the thought of the stare down helped me smile. In my mind, I know that buck knew I wasn't going to get him. I think he just popped in to give me a reason to come back this year.
By the way, after two days of 103 and 104 fevers, my daughter snapped out of it and was laughing with glee as Daddy stalked her around the house with my buck grunt.
This year, in my scouting, guess who I saw in the vicinity. He left me a nice rubline and scrape within spitting distance of where I set up.