I'd generally agree with that assessment, Scott - but as you know - sometimes you hunt an area where the beds are scattered, and/or the woods lack any natural bottlenecks, benches, ravine heads or other formations where the traveling deer get funnelled through a particular pinch point.

Sometimes, your only option is to sit over the corn field, or sit right along the edge of the oaks. You're right though, sometimes it's "Game Over" before you even climb the tree. You'll simply clear the field or acorn flat on your approach.

That's the risk you take, really. That's the game we play.

To be totally honest, not many of my hunting areas offer the "perfect hunt" - where you can slip in undetected, and likewise make a stealthy exit. Just due to the lay of the land, where I'm stuck parking, and other external factors - you're putting at least some of the deer on notice before you ever hook the climber onto the base of the tree. I know it's cost me, but there's just nothing I can do about it.

If anyone ever invents a Rocketeer backpack, where I can just quietly hover over the treetops and drop myself into position - I'll be the first guy to order one.

*Cough* **Cough** **Appalachianstate** *Cough** *Cough**