I was lazy and there were deer near my stand this morning in the dark. I walked toward the noise they were making as they blew and squalled at me, but knew better and knew it doesn't work. I got in the stand against all my better judgement. So I only watched them feed in the distance and they left in the other direction. Now I have to move the stand.
Deer have no fear of humans in the dark, seeming to sense that we can't see in the dark. They will watch you and even circle or come closer, sometimes blowing all the time, sometimes very quietly. I have had deer walk by me in the dark less then 20 yd's while holding a flashlight in my mouth trying to get a self climber hooked up.
One year I was after a nice buck, I had all his trails, scrapes and rubs covered. I never booted him in the dark except for one time. I heard him run off towards an open field so I started to climb. The tree had smooth bark and when I reached my heighth there was some frost on the tree. The Loggy stand slipped and I dropped a foot before I could lean back and stop. I heard the deer tear out of there. When I got down later, I found the ground torn up 10 FEET from my tree. He came back right under me to watch this jerk climb the tree.
I should have just walked a circle this morning and left to go somewhere else, but like I said, I was too lazy. Now I have to work to find another position. Old age does this to a guy!
I had this problem in PA years ago, so I used to walk in banging my chain on the tree stand. I had a home made stand with a chain and chain binder on it. I made all kinds of noise even while climbing and setting up. As soon as I was ready I got quiet. 15 minutes later a buck walked right under me looking for the source of the noise and I ate him.

Another strange thing happened a long time ago in Ohio. I found a scrape about 12 feet in diameter but the only tree I could use was a pine tree. I put down my stuff, grabbed a saw and climbed the tree. I was cutting, dropping branches, tearing branches and shaking the devil out of the tree trying to get a spot for a stand. I stopped for a breath and looked behind me. There was a deer eating apples under the tree right behind me. She was only 15 yd's away and didn't pay any attention to me.
Explain THAT one to me!

She knew you couldn't shoot her with a saw!!! derf

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Another strange thing happened a long time ago in Ohio. I found a scrape about 12 feet in diameter but the only tree I could use was a pine tree. I put down my stuff, grabbed a saw and climbed the tree. I was cutting, dropping branches, tearing branches and shaking the devil out of the tree trying to get a spot for a stand. I stopped for a breath and looked behind me. There was a deer eating apples under the tree right behind me. She was only 15 yd's away and didn't pay any attention to me.
Explain THAT one to me!

Was you wearing ASAT?

Penny

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
I was lazy and there were deer near my stand this morning in the dark.

That's what i don't like about hunting early in the morning. At least in the evening you can get in position well before you expect them and if you do scare them you can see where they go. Not to mention, some people are a bit scared of the dark.....

Penny

I almost never use a light going in unless the country is real rough. I seem to see pretty good in the dark and my eyes change quickly going from the light into dark. My vision has gotten poor over the years from age but it hasn't in the dark much, just focus has gone to pot.
I like to hunt in the morning because it is so beautiful but I detest getting up early.
I posted about hurting my shoulder drawing the bow out of position. Maybe almost 80# is too much for me now. I should stand in my tree but have trouble standing still for a long time.
I went to my other stand last evening and watched an 8 point cross out in front of me. I grunted at him a little but he never looked.
Just before dark I could hear deer feeding somewhere behind me but could not see because there is a cedar tree at my back. Then it got quiet. A little while later 3 deer came from behind on my left. I could not move until the first one got out where she wouldn't see me.
Well, she just happened to be at the exact place where I hurt my shoulder so I almost could not get the bow back. The pain hit me and I had to struggle but managed to reach full draw. It spooked the deer and she jumped a little to where there were branches in the way. I just held it back and swung to the second deer and shot it behind the shoulder. She was down in 40 yd's. I had a devil of a time pulling my arrow out of the ground, it was over 10" deep in firm ground. It went through so fast, there was almost no blood on it from a double lung hit.
Now it was getting darker and I could not see the blood. I carry one of those little diode lights that has a pure white light. I got to try it and found the blood easy with it. No problem at all finding the deer in the thick stuff. I was never able to see blood with a regular flashlight and always had to use a Coleman lantern that I had to go get.
Now I want one of those super bright Luxeon lights.
When I was tearing up that tree in Ohio, I left my camo jacket on the ground on top of my stand and just had a "T" shirt on. I was a white lump in a green tree.
Now that I have 2 deer I am putting up the bow and letting my shoulder heal. In one day the pain was almost gone but drawing out of position brought it back.