RE: scariest moment in the woods
Surprised nobody mentioned snakes,
Sure they are not the largest of creatures and don't growl, but I have seen the damage they can do to someone, and I was just glad I was wearing waders when I had a very close encounter with one.
Buddy and I were wood duck hunting in an old, deep slough, where the water was up to our waists. While moving to get in position for the roost, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and a humongous water mocassin was coiled up on a branch not more than 24" from me. He was absolutely in position to strike. I flailed back, whipped my shotgun around and shot as quick as I could causing water, branch and snake parts to fly everywhere. If I had moved another 6" closer, he would almost certainly have latched onto my arm or face. [&:]