Rob, part of me really thinks I'm seeing the results of better hunting this year (more work on the plots, more attention to scent, stand rotation, etc) as I'm seeing deer more every year, but who knows. Maybe I'm too much of a pesimist Good luck to you guys this weekend. I have a feeling you guys will have a great time no matter what happens. I'm looking forward to seeing some good footage as well.

Tonight, with the NNW wind we were having, I don't have many good sets for this, so I tried something new. I hiked my climber into a small hollow below my driveway where there are a few decently producing apple trees as well as a small spring. All of this is surrounded by thick briars and autumn olive. I was hoping to catch a buck back here (as my dad shot a nice 9 point in 1999 with the smokepole), but I ended up seeing the SAME flock of dang turkeys again, lol. I now think I know their entire patterned route across our property in the evening. I was a good 400 yards from the plot I've been seeing them in, but they were making their way over in that direction. Around 6:00 I had a doe and two yearlings come up behind me. Could have had either of the yearlings, but I can't shoot them (just can't bring myself to). Mom held back behind me because she caught a glimpse of something she didn't like (me). She never blew or spooked, she just stomped a bit, and went around to the east of me. The yearlings followed. Good night on the stand, though.