Don't miss the chance to get outdoors and enjoy the season
By Steve Rogers — Into The Outdoors
“Hurry up, finish your homework! Get your coat and shoes and let’s go. We’re going to be late. What time is that game on Saturday?”
Does any of this sound familiar? If your house is anything like mine, then your fall has been one hectic and crazy day after another. Bottom line, I was not able to prepare myself for the fall deer season like I should. This last Sunday, however, I was able to climb into the deer stand for the first time.
It would have been easy to sleep in, but I found the perseverance to roll out of a nice warm bed and go out into the crisp 32 degree weather. As I walked to my stand in the dark, the crystal clear sky lit my way with thousands of brilliant stars. I smiled and realized once again why I enjoy this time of day so much.
As I settled in with my bow I let myself become absorbed with everything around me. The crisp frost was working wonders on the leaves. They were falling so frequently it was difficult to determine if hoof steps were approaching or not.
In the distance I could sense the first rays of light shooting across the horizon. The woods were still dark, but the beauty of the day was beginning to unfold before me. In an instant, I heard the unmistakable crashing of a deer through the woods. It must have been running and stopped not far from me. I still couldn’t see it, but I knew it was there. I could hear it slowly making its way beneath me.
My breathing started to become rapid and irregular. I could also tell I was beginning to sweat, even though it was quite cold Sunday. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. Odds are this was a small little button buck and was nothing I would ever consider taking a shot at. Nevertheless, I was feeling the adrenaline surge throughout my body. I promised myself that if there ever comes a day when I don’t feel that sort of exhilaration, then it is time to get out of the woods.
That solitary whitetail spent two or three minutes hanging around and then walked off as suddenly as it had appeared. I never did get a look at it. The sun seems be on another schedule when you are wanting to use its resources to light your surroundings. That’s fine though. The passion was rekindled in an instant and I was ready to start making some more serious time for my favorite sport.
Before long it was time to climb down from my perch and head back to reality. As I crested a small knoll and looked forward, I spotted a gorgeous doe. Of course, she spotted me first. We spent the next several minutes playing a game of, “Who’s going to move first.” Then she started to stomp her front foot in anger. In case you’re new to deer hunting, that is never a good sign. Then she turned and ran the way she came while blowing and wheezing. The alert to all other deer in the area sealed the fate for my morning. At least I was done.
The real kicker is that this deer was right under where I wanted to put another stand up. But, my busy schedule had prevented me from doing so. She seemed to be taunting me, “Yeah, this is a beautiful spot to hang out.” Maybe this weekend will be different.
The fall season will pass us by if we don’t stop and enjoy it. It’s so easy to make ourselves busier than we should be. At least going on an early morning hunt allows us to enjoy some time outdoors before the rest of the world awakens. These moments are worth the time and effort. Enjoy the season.
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