Not quite the opening day I imagined...
10-04-2008, 06:56 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Roanoke, Va
Posts: 3,562
Not quite the opening day I imagined...
Well, its been a tough day. I'm going to try and keep this short.
Walking in this morning I swear I scared away every deer in the county. They were bedded right where I needed to be. Got to my "stand" this morning and had a hard time distinguishing which tree was actually the one I needed to be in. I made it up about 25 feet and realized I was in the wrong tree. Got down and finally found my tree. It was just breaking daylight. I haven't made that mistake....in years.[&:] That's what I get for hunting in some many poplars.
Couple hours later, I saw a doe about 70 yards out and she was spooked. Nothing I did. Moments later...I look to my right and see another hunter with a crossbow in hand. I knew he was trespassing. I waited until he was out of sight and I scurried down the tree and headed in that direction. I get to the last place I saw him and started glassing. Spotted him! He was sitting (almost laying down) trying to hide from me. I walk over and he takes off his mask. He said, "I just saw the biggest buck of my life." He held up his hand to show me how bad he was shaking. He's a teenager...about 15 or so. I asked him if he had permission and he feeds me some BS. Well, I finally get the truth out of him and politely told him he was not supposed to be here. I got his name and then he was on his way.
Evening hunt. I blew a perfectly good opportunity to whack a nanny at 20 yards. I waited too long to draw and she spotted me. Darkness was coming and I was getting my things together. I hear two gunshots and two men talking afterwards. I can't be certain but I think they capped a couple deer. Moments later, I heard them drive off.
On the way home. Some maniac tries running me off the road all the while having on her high beams. Trying to pass me in curves and riding right on my bumper. I nosedived a couple times hoping she would eat bumper. I finally get to a point to pull over and she drives on by blinding every other fellow motorist on the way. I reported her to the cops....let's hope they get her.
Anyway....its been a hell of a day. Thank God that I'm home and still alive. Football and some jack and coke and this day is history.
Walking in this morning I swear I scared away every deer in the county. They were bedded right where I needed to be. Got to my "stand" this morning and had a hard time distinguishing which tree was actually the one I needed to be in. I made it up about 25 feet and realized I was in the wrong tree. Got down and finally found my tree. It was just breaking daylight. I haven't made that mistake....in years.[&:] That's what I get for hunting in some many poplars.
Couple hours later, I saw a doe about 70 yards out and she was spooked. Nothing I did. Moments later...I look to my right and see another hunter with a crossbow in hand. I knew he was trespassing. I waited until he was out of sight and I scurried down the tree and headed in that direction. I get to the last place I saw him and started glassing. Spotted him! He was sitting (almost laying down) trying to hide from me. I walk over and he takes off his mask. He said, "I just saw the biggest buck of my life." He held up his hand to show me how bad he was shaking. He's a teenager...about 15 or so. I asked him if he had permission and he feeds me some BS. Well, I finally get the truth out of him and politely told him he was not supposed to be here. I got his name and then he was on his way.
Evening hunt. I blew a perfectly good opportunity to whack a nanny at 20 yards. I waited too long to draw and she spotted me. Darkness was coming and I was getting my things together. I hear two gunshots and two men talking afterwards. I can't be certain but I think they capped a couple deer. Moments later, I heard them drive off.
On the way home. Some maniac tries running me off the road all the while having on her high beams. Trying to pass me in curves and riding right on my bumper. I nosedived a couple times hoping she would eat bumper. I finally get to a point to pull over and she drives on by blinding every other fellow motorist on the way. I reported her to the cops....let's hope they get her.
Anyway....its been a hell of a day. Thank God that I'm home and still alive. Football and some jack and coke and this day is history.
10-04-2008, 07:00 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 3,612
RE: Not quite the opening day I imagined...
Finch---takes some time to get it right the first few days...do not stress! I banged my treestand a few times and clinked here and there...just takes some time to warm up each year...best of luck to you.
10-04-2008, 07:10 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Roanoke, Va
Posts: 3,562
RE: Not quite the opening day I imagined...
I forgot to mention after confronting the trespasser....I decided to continue hunting. So, that was my third time climbing up a tree this morning. I did see three deer after that but they were out of range.
I know fellas...opening days are the worst.[:@] I forget the little things about my routine. I'm back on track now. Wish me luck.
I know fellas...opening days are the worst.[:@] I forget the little things about my routine. I'm back on track now. Wish me luck.
10-04-2008, 07:44 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Millboro, Va
Posts: 1,134
RE: Not quite the opening day I imagined...
ORIGINAL: Finch
Well, its been a tough day. I'm going to try and keep this short.
Walking in this morning I swear I scared away every deer in the county. They were bedded right where I needed to be. Got to my "stand" this morning and had a hard time distinguishing which tree was actually the one I needed to be in. I made it up about 25 feet and realized I was in the wrong tree. Got down and finally found my tree. It was just breaking daylight. I haven't made that mistake....in years.[&:] That's what I get for hunting in some many poplars.
Couple hours later, I saw a doe about 70 yards out and she was spooked. Nothing I did. Moments later...I look to my right and see another hunter with a crossbow in hand. I knew he was trespassing. I waited until he was out of sight and I scurried down the tree and headed in that direction. I get to the last place I saw him and started glassing. Spotted him! He was sitting (almost laying down) trying to hide from me. I walk over and he takes off his mask. He said, "I just saw the biggest buck of my life." He held up his hand to show me how bad he was shaking. He's a teenager...about 15 or so. I asked him if he had permission and he feeds me some BS. Well, I finally get the truth out of him and politely told him he was not supposed to be here. I got his name and then he was on his way.
Evening hunt. I blew a perfectly good opportunity to whack a nanny at 20 yards. I waited too long to draw and she spotted me. Darkness was coming and I was getting my things together. I hear two gunshots and two men talking afterwards. I can't be certain but I think they capped a couple deer. Moments later, I heard them drive off.
On the way home. Some maniac tries running me off the road all the while having on her high beams. Trying to pass me in curves and riding right on my bumper. I nosedived a couple times hoping she would eat bumper. I finally get to a point to pull over and she drives on by blinding every other fellow motorist on the way. I reported her to the cops....let's hope they get her.
Anyway....its been a hell of a day. Thank God that I'm home and still alive. Football and some jack and coke and this day is history.
Well, its been a tough day. I'm going to try and keep this short.
Walking in this morning I swear I scared away every deer in the county. They were bedded right where I needed to be. Got to my "stand" this morning and had a hard time distinguishing which tree was actually the one I needed to be in. I made it up about 25 feet and realized I was in the wrong tree. Got down and finally found my tree. It was just breaking daylight. I haven't made that mistake....in years.[&:] That's what I get for hunting in some many poplars.
Couple hours later, I saw a doe about 70 yards out and she was spooked. Nothing I did. Moments later...I look to my right and see another hunter with a crossbow in hand. I knew he was trespassing. I waited until he was out of sight and I scurried down the tree and headed in that direction. I get to the last place I saw him and started glassing. Spotted him! He was sitting (almost laying down) trying to hide from me. I walk over and he takes off his mask. He said, "I just saw the biggest buck of my life." He held up his hand to show me how bad he was shaking. He's a teenager...about 15 or so. I asked him if he had permission and he feeds me some BS. Well, I finally get the truth out of him and politely told him he was not supposed to be here. I got his name and then he was on his way.
Evening hunt. I blew a perfectly good opportunity to whack a nanny at 20 yards. I waited too long to draw and she spotted me. Darkness was coming and I was getting my things together. I hear two gunshots and two men talking afterwards. I can't be certain but I think they capped a couple deer. Moments later, I heard them drive off.
On the way home. Some maniac tries running me off the road all the while having on her high beams. Trying to pass me in curves and riding right on my bumper. I nosedived a couple times hoping she would eat bumper. I finally get to a point to pull over and she drives on by blinding every other fellow motorist on the way. I reported her to the cops....let's hope they get her.
Anyway....its been a hell of a day. Thank God that I'm home and still alive. Football and some jack and coke and this day is history.