First day came and I didn't shoot (DOH!)
 

I had a nice little place all scouted out. It was a high sided gully with a veritable deer highway running through it. I put my stand in a tree on the lip of the gully and sat there for 6 hours yesterday morning. A doe came by around 9am and stood a few feet from the base of my tree for a good 10 to 15 minutes. She knew something wasn't right and she was not going down into that gully. She just stood there and looked and looked. Then she turned and went about 50 yards down; crossed the gully and came back up the other side and looked and looked some more.

I don't think I have ever seen such a wary deer in this neck of the woods. Most of them are stupid around here. I just knew that if I had so much as twiched an eyelash (little lone draw my bow) she would have busted me cold. I was sitting so still that a spider actually began to build his web using me and my bow as anchor points, LOL. Within a couple hours, the little bastard had nearly finished his web. The doe walked back and forth along the side of the gully for what seemed like an eternity all the while bobbing her head and looking around. No stamping or outright spooking but obviously nervous. Then, she stopped and looked dead at me. She bobbed her head this way and that looking at me from every angle and then she turned and walked away, tail down. She stopped some 50 yards or so inside the brush (out of sight) and blew once but that was it. I think I can consider myself busted, LOL.

I'll have to pick another tree now 'cause she will be looking for that camo blob in that one now. I should have taken her when I had the chance but I was thinking I would see more deer. I did see deer six times between 9am and 11am but she was the only one that came within range. She came in on my right and rear but I saw her long before she became nervous. I should have quietly stood up and got turned around and took her when she was standing 5 ft from the base of my tree. If I'm not careful, she'll bust me again.

RE: First day came and I didn't shoot (DOH!)
 

Sounds like a great day in a tree....consider yourself lucky, your hunting and hunting isn't all about killing....I say you won, you probably could have taken her but it wasn't her day. What a successful hunt and although I know I can go sit in a tree and watch without my bow cause our season doesn't start unti Oct 2.....I'll wait so I don't scent up the area....Nice story and congrats on a great hunt.

RE: First day came and I didn't shoot (DOH!)
 

Hey you were hunting. I only have to wait until this Saturday but it still seems like forever. I have to shoot a doe first so I hope I get the chance you had. If not at least I will be in the tree.:D

RE: First day came and I didn't shoot (DOH!)
 

That's what makes hunting so exciting and addicting. You never know what's going to happen and what they are going to do, it is never a for sure deal. When you think they will do something, they will turn around and do the total oposite. That is what makes it hunting, and that is what keeps us coming back. Good day, and good luck. Wish I was in the stand but have to wait until Oct. 1.