After preparing my area 2 months ago and then leaving it alone until I sneaked back to quickly set my stand and trim a few remaining twigs, I found myself at the base of my tree today (opening morning) sans the 3 steps I needed to reach the rest of the steps! I was the culprit since I had removed them yesterday so that NO ONE would be able to steal or hunt from my stand. After jumping in the total darkness to grasp blindly at the lowest step, I finally grasped it and &quot;chinned&quot; myself high enough to grab onto some bumps in the tree and finally made my way into the stand (getting down was even MORE fun!!!). After this fiasco, I discovered that I had placed my binoculars case on my belt <u>upside down!</u> The case was now empty!! As if this wasn't bad enough, after waiting quietly for at least 30 mins, I see not one, but TWO flashlight beams headed through the brush my way. Since getting down was nearly impossible, I watched one of the hunters set up directly in front of me about 35 yards away ON THE GROUND SITTING ON A BLUE COOLER AND CUTTING ME OFF FROM THE CORNFIELD!! I had labored in the hot sun cutting an approach route that avoided the field and allowed me a scent free approach--and I was downwind. HE WASN'T and the big deer that snorted and crashed away--just before light--proved that fact. This guy sat there dipping snuff and farting-- occassionally standing up and gawking around. I had squirrels running all over the place--including ON me and then the guy finally saw me. I waved him over and asked him if he had permission. He said his friend did. I told them I had exclusive permission here and, very politely, this was his &quot;free&quot; one, but not to return. He was cordial and agreed. I waited for another hour until a 3rd hunter showed up and I had to give him the same story. I managed to get down after he left and then saw 2 deer approaching on a trail when I was leaving! At least I DID find my binoculars!

Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.

well i'm glad you found your binoculars, i hope my opener goesbetter than yours went, but at least your able to be outdoors.

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hey it just takes a couple days to get back into teh swing of things, but them trepassers can get aggrevating cant they

&quot;She said if I hit that fishin hole today, she's be packin all her things and she'd, be gone by noon....I'm gonna miss her, when I get home.&quot;

sorry to hear about your day...but you could have been at work!

At least you and &quot;Murphy&quot; got out today.