This is the 2nd time I have had this happen to me. I was out this morning, an hour before first light. I found the tree I was planning to sit in. As I was scanning the tree with my 3 dollar flashlight, I noticed a small tree(about 2 inches in diameter) tight to the tree i wanted to put my stand in. So I pulled out my portable saw and continued to cut the little tree down as quietly as possible. Within 1 minute of cutting. I heard a deer running straight towards me getting louder and louder cracking brush and so forth. The deer came within 10 yards (I could see its silouhette,still dark, yet) I thought I was going to piss my pants. Being afraid I turned my flashlight on him and it was a nice 8 pointer i saw a week earlier. He bolted almost simoutanesly. And then snorted all the way through the woods. It was Quiet this morning with crunchy leaves and I'm sure he heard me walk in on top of the hand saw probaly sounding like another buck rubbing his horns on a small tree.

Anyway, has anyone had the same experience?
I like hunting mornings, but this is the 2nd time I've had this happen. The first time was an afternoon hunt 2 years ago, and I was cutting down another small tree and had a six pointer come through a swamp to check the noise out.

If its quiet tommorow morning i'm going to go to a different area and and do some "sawing" and rustle some leaves to try it again, this time bow in hand and a little daylight would help.

Any other experinces would be appreciated?
Thanks, and good luck huntin'

For starters welcome aboard! As for the "sawing" don't cut down to many trees!

Chain saws will call 'em in sometimes.

They think it's a dinner bell.

Welcome,Wow you saw trees in the dark.I cant even walk in the dark without falling