My first year of college it was killing me to not have a place to bowhunt. I found a map of the nearest National Forest and after looking it over I decided on a spot to go scout. It looked damn good. As I was standing in the woods surveying the land I noticed a VERY well beaten down trail just 20 yds to the north of me. Being in college, I was after any deer I could get. I also noticed a very large Walnut tree that had limbs low and large, low and large enough for me to be able to climb up and sit without the aid of a treestand. I was so excited about this place I never went back until opening day. I never even went over to the trailbecause I didn't want to leave scent all over the place, I just backed out and waited until Oct 1.

Opening day I was pumped. I had made it to the tree seemingly without spooking anything. I found a good comfy limb and sat waiting for daylight. As it became daylight I couldn't believe how well the trail was beaten down. I mean it looked like deer HAD to be traveling this thing several times per day. After an hour or so without seeing a deer I started hearing something off in the distance, something like pots and pans clanking together. The sound started getting closer and closer. Sure enough, this freakin' dried up hillbilly comes riding by on a mule, with pots and pans hanging over the back. He rode right under me, looked up, and said, "You huntin?" To which I said, "Yes sir" and he let out a "humph" and rode on down the trail. I didn't know what else to say, those who know me know what a smartass I am and this guy had just left the door wide open. However I was speachless. It was one of those moments where you just can't believe what just happened.

To this day I have no idea where the old man was going. I never followed the trail but by looking at the map it had to lead to a small river at the bottom of the mountian. I did find out thatthere were several horse trailsthere that weren't on the map. I ended up finding several good places to hunt there and taking several deer from those places.