Hey Chubber, last year was my first year, and I got skunked, too. I think there are a minimum number of stupid things that must happen (learning points) before you get one. I sure had enough stupid things happen to me last year. (Beside that, hunting public land is very challenging. I think you're smart to get out there as early as possible during muzzleloader.) The deer get smart pretty quickly. It may not have had anything to do with you. It doesn't take them long to go nocturnal on public hunting land. That's why statistics say your best chance is on opening day. Your chances tend to go more south the farther past opening day.