Was out this weekend and 30 min. before dark and nice fat doe strolled in. Well, I am ground hunting from the top of a 12 foot deep drainage ditch (natural). While she was behind cover, I stood and readied myself. As she got in, she had her head down. All of a sudden she looked up, turned her head and looked straight at me. I hadn't moved scense I stood up. Well, she never blew or stomped. Just turned and trotted away. She may have winded me but, I am on public with mtn. bike trails everywhere. Although, if she winded me, why would she have walked 30 yards up the trail to me? Just wondering what you all think. I'm going back tonight then leaving it alone till Friday night.

Am I playing this right?

If you were at the top of the ditch and she was at the bottom, you may have been skylined. What kind of cover was around/behind you? Otherwise deer do have excellent peripheral vision and maybe she just saw a slight movement from you - maybe clipping on the release, a slight change in footing on your part, etc. The wind was probably a factor as well. I would probably stay out of there for a few days and then drop in when the wind is perfect. Make sure you have some good cover around you and you should be set.

I have natural dead fall in front of me and pine trees behind me. You could be right about the sun. I was peaking through the trees.

That is the only thing besides wind I could think of. I do a lot of ground hunting during gun season and have had similar things happen to me before as well. Maybe try moving up or down the drainage ditch until you find a spot with a tree a yard or two off the edge, setup in front of it and try to build up some brush in front and around you.

I think I will try moving like you suggested. Maybe if I move further down hill, I can see more deer. I realy think they are crossing this path further down hill. I will try to set-up on that intersection tonight. I just didn't want to move to early and abandon my spot without giving it a good try.

She knew something had changed and you were it. She busted you hard.