Had some bad experiences hunting with others. They get cold early and go back to the truck. They don't take the time to scent proof their clothes or their boots. They have to pee so they make noise walking off somewhere where they can do that and end up chasing off deer in the process. They feel like they have to have a hot lunch.

When I am hunting - I am hunting. And I may hunt all day if I am on deer and things are looking interesting. I may still hunt paralleling behind a group of does waiting to see if they attract a buck. I like to test and grow my stalking skills and not have to worry about what the other person is doing. This doesn't work well when hunting with others.

I am pretty strict about what I do. I don't drink hardly any water before going to the tree stand. No coffee. A little oatmeal. I spend 20 minutes in the cold freezing my butt off before I go to the stand which always makes me need to pee again. I take granola bars and some water so I can eat when I don't have to worry about the scent of the food. I usually spend the first 4 hours in the tree stand and then stalk my way to the loafing areas where I know deer usually hang out during the mid-day. I like to be able to move if the winds change and hate being tied down to someone else who doesn't take it as seriously as I do.

Maybe I am anal about this stuff but hunting to me is really all about the hunt and not about the experience with the buddies or the conversations back at deer camp.