I arrived at my spot 30 minutes before legal hunt, perhaps a few minutes too late??? When I got into my stand, I fumbled around looking for my bugtamer and trying to get my backpack and other items situated. The ladder stand was also squeaking a little as I moved. Finally, I got settled down about 15 minutes before legal shoot and I sat patiently.

20 minutes later, I hear a deer behind me blowing. This deer should not have been behind me given my stand location, but I am wondering if he heard me coming to my stand and circled around to get a sniff?? Snorting like heck, he told every deer in the area that I was there. I got frustrated after sitting awhile and left by 7:45am (legal hunt was 6:45AM).

On my way out, I grabbed my game camera and noticed it had a few pics from this spot (first time camera was in this spot). Got pics developed on Sunday and learned it took a pic of a nice buck about 30 minutes before I got there. This deer may have been the one I spooked and he circled to smell me.

I was very discusted with my impatience and sloppiness. How in the world are you going to kill a deer like that! I did everything wrong. Should have gotten to the spot an hour early, came in quietly, get situated immediately (pug tamer on before I walk in) and sit patiently for a few hours. Probably a few other things too.

All you can do now is learn for next time<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>