In early season last year I arrived on stand about an hour before daylight as usual. Just as it was barely getting light, somethig hit me on the right side of my head just above my ear and where my hat was. It hit me so hard that it rocked my head to one side. I sat there for a couple seconds trying to figure out what in the heck that could of been. My first thought was a bat but I knew that no bat could be that big around here. Then all of a sudden "wack" right on the forehead. This time it was not as hard of a blow because it deflected somewhat.

I got a very slight glance at it but it was still too dark to make out what it was. After another couple seconds it made another run and barely missed but was so close I felt the wind from it. That was enough for me. I stood up, took off my hat and began waving itand waving my arms. It never came back. I hunted the rest of the morning but got skunked. When I got home I told my wife the story and she laughed her butt off. She looked at my scalp and there was three small puncture holes and it had been bleeding some.

Never did find out what it was but I would reckon it was either a hawk or some kind of an owl.

Ed