1. Be prepared for anything, sometimes even what might seem to be ridiculous

2. Treat all deer the same when getting in and out of a stand. For example if its dark and deer are around, don't leave until you feel completely safe. Those same deer may avoid that area and in doing so may lead mature does and bucks away from that area also.

3. Always carry your bow and have the release on, even when just moving a stand, or doing a little after hunt scouting. Two or three times I missed very possible opportunities to shoot at a big buck because I became complacent, never thinking I'd stumble upon a nice buck at the time.