Stephen2110
Member
The reason I'm posting is because of last night. I was in one of my better spots where I've had pictures and sign of buck activity. I didn't see anything until about 10 minutes before last light. A small 4pt walked out and began rubbing and just having a grand ole time. He was never farther than 20 yards from me. Call me picky, but I'm not interested in shooting young bucks. So I watched him until he almost disappeared in the darkness. About a minute or so before I could no longer see the shape of him, another much larger bodied deer stepped out behind him. This deer was easily twice the size and weight. My heart jumped as they dissolved into the pitch black.
So, sitting in my stand at around 8:00pm, I can still hear what sounds like sparring. Very gentle, light tickling of antlers. I decided to just hold still until I heard them leave. Well 15-20 minutes passes by and they sound like they are prancing around, rubbing, scraping, and having a blast. My wife knows what time I'm usually home and she knows to come looking if she hasn't seen or heard from me too long after dark. The sounds are now within 10-15 yards as I feel my phone start vibrating. I assumed correctly it was her checking on me. I never seem to remember to lower the brightness of my cell phone so checking my phone wasn't an option.
Long story short, I waited another 15 minutes listening to these deer meander all around me, even directly below my feet at one point. I knew my wife would be worried by now and would come looking, so I started gathering my gear to leave. Once ready another 10 mins has gone by, deer clearly still very close. I stood slowly and turned my back to where I thought they were and checked my phone. Of course the screen erupts like 12,000 suns exploding and illuminates me. That's when I heard stomping. Resigning myself to destroying one of my favorite setups, I just start climbing down. One deer blew as my feet touched the ground and I assume they both took off.
Have you guys been in this situation and how did you handle it? Any suggestions, stories, or reassurances you can share will be very much appreciated!
So, sitting in my stand at around 8:00pm, I can still hear what sounds like sparring. Very gentle, light tickling of antlers. I decided to just hold still until I heard them leave. Well 15-20 minutes passes by and they sound like they are prancing around, rubbing, scraping, and having a blast. My wife knows what time I'm usually home and she knows to come looking if she hasn't seen or heard from me too long after dark. The sounds are now within 10-15 yards as I feel my phone start vibrating. I assumed correctly it was her checking on me. I never seem to remember to lower the brightness of my cell phone so checking my phone wasn't an option.
Long story short, I waited another 15 minutes listening to these deer meander all around me, even directly below my feet at one point. I knew my wife would be worried by now and would come looking, so I started gathering my gear to leave. Once ready another 10 mins has gone by, deer clearly still very close. I stood slowly and turned my back to where I thought they were and checked my phone. Of course the screen erupts like 12,000 suns exploding and illuminates me. That's when I heard stomping. Resigning myself to destroying one of my favorite setups, I just start climbing down. One deer blew as my feet touched the ground and I assume they both took off.
Have you guys been in this situation and how did you handle it? Any suggestions, stories, or reassurances you can share will be very much appreciated!
