During the rut, bring a good novel on the stand. That will help you pass the lulls in action, keep you still and keep you entertained.

Hey, it works for me.

patience.good things come to those who wait.

Pay a lot of attention to your family during the off season. It'll get you more time in the woods during the season.

VERY, VERY wise words.

Do you have any idea how funny this is with your avatar up there rigth beside it.

Things are going to go wrong, just get used to it and roll with the punches.

Geez, Everything I wanted to say has been said in one way or another.

Here's a goal that I always strive for...Don't let the deer pattern your movements. If you can, select a stand based on entry/exit routes that keep you hidden. Don't let them know you are there.

Practice actual hunt situations , if you primarily hunt from an elevated stand , practice from it and shoot different distances and make sure to practice with broadheads as well. Same goes if you hunt from the ground. Nothing can replace confidence in your equipment and skills.

Hunt where the bucks are! If they are not in your area, you can either spend a lot of time and money to draw them in or you can go where they are.

I hunted deer in Michigan for 30 years before I learned that I had to draw them in with food plots. Now I live in Texas where there are more bucks and a small food plot here brings in more bucks in one season than I had seen in a lifetime of hunting in Michigan.

I didn't shoot a buck last year because the 13 pointer I wanted never offered a shot but my step brother, who had never taken a mountable buck in Michigan took a nice 8 his first day out with me down here.

be patient stay on stand as long as possible. never heard of some one killing a monster buck sitting in front of their tv