Gary:

(Before I forget.....thanks, duke....I know that buck's still out there, though. I have learned some VALUABLE lessons through all of this)

I got onto stand about 4:00 yesterday afternoon (same stand I've been in, each time....in my honey hole). I had just sat down when I saw a doe slip into the thicket that leads to the bedding area. I don't think she ever heard or saw me. Didn't see another deer (GOSH WAS IT HOT) until 6:00 or so. I had 1 big doe and 2 smaller ones come right through the gate (I've opened up a section of the pasture fence to create this funnel). I thought, at first, about arrowing one of them.....but it felt so good being out there.....and it was early. I thought I still might see a buck. I know......greed.

They fed in the field for a while.....and then they left. I then had 2 fawns (still brownish in color....the does were really grey) come in (again - through the 'gate')....and feed. One of the fawns walked to the path I'd come in on and followed my tracks to my tree. It looked up at me....but never fiigured me out. it went back to feeding and went over to the other one. They left the field andI saw aBIG doeover at the mineral lick I'd put in earlier this year (out of bow range). Shestayed there and 4 more doescame in the field from the lower end (anything I can't see antlers/buttons on is considered a doe for story purposes....lol). They all fed until after shooting light.....and I waited them out. I finally had to resort to throwing something to get the big doe to leave. Yep....I tossed my quiver....and got it stuck in a lower branch....lol. I got it pretty easily when I got down.

I saw 11 deer......no bucks......and 9 were in bow range. A GREAT night on stand....even if I never drew it back. My preseason work has paid off. I've had a VERY exciting year.....and my season is 11 days old.

I've seen 26 deer in 4 sittings.....and 19 have been in bow range of Mitch or myself. We have been blessed.

Hopefully we'll put us one on the board, soon.

Jeff