Focus on opening day

I’m not sure how everyone’s previous opening day went but mine was one to remember. After getting ran out of my first spot by mosquitos in the morning, I made it to another location at 4:00 for my evening sit. Accessing was tricky since the last time I was at this place was 4 years ago for spring scouting. Eventually I got set up in the crotch of an old willow tree. I made quite a bit of noise when climbing it due to the size and awkwardness of the tree. After setting up, I instantly pulled out my phone to take pictures and tell my buddies how I feel about opening day.

This is where the hunt and my season took a turn. A big 9 point was bedding within 40 yards of that tree. It was a windy day, but he still heard the scrapping of my sticks when I was setting up. He came in to investigate the noise. I heard the crackling of some cattails but only seen black birds rustling as I turned my head. I shrugged my shoulders and returned to texting my buddies. The crackling noise started again, but this time I seen the big buck standing only 7 yards away. My jaw dropped, I was only 10 minutes into my hunt. There was nothing I could do but watch as he went through the opening. I grabbed my bow when he got behind some branches but he never made it to the second lane. This hunt will always be a reminder to stay more focused and trust a gut feeling. My gut told me that first noise alert was a deer but my mind said it’s too early in the evening and must be the birds. Hope everyone stays ready and off their phone for opening day!

 

This pic is of a smaller buck that came through for the last 30 minutes of light. I’d assume he was in a satellite bed around the big buck since he came from the same direction. He is standing exactly where the big one was in this picture.

 

I might hunt early season this year based on conditions on the farm they have silage corn planted. It is hard to sneak into range based on a sliver of wood cover but with the corn in I can sit on the edge and get in undetected. I just want venison.

 

It’s always exciting when they plant corn. I love hunting next to it when they start to harvest

 

Having a mature buck encounter on opening day is pretty sick, though.

 

You ain’t kidding. It’d be a dream to punch a buck tag in opening day. I’m hoping we get the same wind direction this year so I can have some redemption

 

Last year I had a great opening day also (not a mature buck sighting though) had a few small 3 year olds sparring at 20 yards before first light and got to get some sweet footage of one of them hitting a scrape for quite some time. The next morning in the same spot I was able to knock down a nanny doe.

 

I hope this rings true. If the big one did end up dying, then I’d be happy thwacking that smaller deer this year too. He should be a dandy if he made it