What a day!!!

I have not hit a deer too far back in more than 10 years....until today..........a nice sized doe. I watched her for quite awhile from stand hoping she would lay down...then a horny spike came out of the thick stuff and started chasing her....my bad day started.

After watching the spike chase her out of sight, over the hill, I prepared to climb down and find my arrow. Before I knew it, the bottom of my climber skiddered down the tree and hit the ground with a thud...bad day.

I was able to hang by my arms and dig my knife out of my pack, but my right arm (I am right handed) was pinned by my seat, above my head...like a sleeper hold. I managed to get my knife in one had and simply put my faith in my harness to hold me and let go of the top part of my stand, the only way I could cut myself free. I hung precariously and cut my seat, freeing my right arm and allowing myself to grab the tree with one arm and cut the strap with the other.....and then did a mighty fine fireman's slide down the tree.

The top of my stand and my pack are still hanging more than 20 feet up...and unfortunately my deer is still in the woods. My flashlight was in my pack and it was last light and more than 20 miles from the nearest flashlight store....so going back in the morning with high hopes of finding the doe.

Hopefully that spike did not chase her too far....

Bottom line, thanks Seat-of-the-pants.....myself, my wife and my 11 month old daughter thank you....

Please, everyone, wear a harness. If I did not have one today, I may not be sitting here typing right now...watching my daughter play.