I usually try to minimize light use so my eyes adjust and have been startled a few times by the critter nearby, but more scared of other people: stumbled upon a pot plot, hunters shooting after dark, and have had birdshot rain down on me from a bird hunter shooting ducks overhead. On the flip side, during full light: I was sitting in a hedge row on the edge of a grain field on some public land with my son, both all camo-ed out with our bows and had 2 bird hunters walk 4 feet in front of me conversing over their plan for a few minutes. When they decided one would 'sit here' and the other 'over there', I cleared my throat--Scared the crap out of them!
As crippled up with arthritis as I am, my OH CRAP! sprint is no faster than someone elses stroll in the park.
Why don't you guys all rock me to sleep.... Geez, for a while, I thought I was on a real hunting site. You midwest guys crack me, scared of yotes and bobcats... On a serious note... A few years ago, I was sneaking into a stand, one that I usually leave off until late in the rut (prime bedding area). I had to leave early to get in there way before light. Didn't want to use a light either. So, there I am sneaking in at 4:30 AM, being as absolutely quiet as I could be. I then all of a sudden heard this god aweful growl and woofing sound. A bear, not too far in front of me was not happy that I snug up on him. Flash light was in the truck, headlamp in the truck, nothing but me and my bow in hand. I was about 50 yards from my stand at this point, so I made a circle around where I thought the bear was, found my stand and made the quickest climb up you'll ever witness. I think I skipped a couple steps getting there. That bear walked around my stand several times before light. I eventually "yelled quietly" at it, trying to spook it off, but he didn't seem all that worried. I heard him walk away and was gone by daylight. I hate bears.... I've been sitting in stands quite a bit when what I'm pretty sure were deer passing through before light. It's neat I think. I remember a sit a long time ago that I had a lone deer walk by me just before it was light enough to see clearly. You know what I'm talking about. Everything is still grey or black, but you can make out bodies if their close enough, yet its really hard to see antlers or any other detail. This deer came by at around 25 yards and when he got within an open spot, I could clearly make out a very large rack on his head! But... no shooting light. I hate that.
I was half asleep once with an hour before light and had a racoon run down the tree I was in and across the side of my face/shoulder. I actually urinated in my pants.
I always carry a pistol when I bowhunt because you never know what pot growing, pill head you might come across. I don't worry about animals because I guarantee that any animal you come across is going to be more scared of you that you are of it. If I do hear a noise that I can't identify, I usually just go about my business as quietly as possible. I have spooked some early morning deer by not paying attention while I was setting up.
I hate walking to the stand an hour before daylight when it's a full moon! Everything out there is giving off a shadow and it's just creepy looking. Reminds me of too many scary movies.
I was hunting off Truman Lake, MO several years ago and I was hunting with my neighbors. Never been to this spot and was pointed in the direction to sit. I forgot my climber, so I had to sit on the ground. Well I reached the top of the hill and heard a "SNAP". I had my headlamp on and quickly rose my head. To my surprise there were eyes everywhere. I slowly turned my light off and started getting ready. Behind a tree of course. I little while passed when all of a sudden there he was. Big buck walking around me sniffing. I was shaking in my boots at this point. I could cleary see his complete silhouette with heqdgear and all. He was less then 5yds infront of me and then disappeared right at light. All the deer were does and they continued on minding there business. I stood there for about 10 minutes and out of nowhere a complete stud stood 30yds broadside. A perfectly placed shoot and I had nice 13 pointer on the ground 30 yds down the hill toward my boat. I love those noises in the dark. "The night time is the right time!".- Adam Sandler.
On a pitch black, windy morning I could hear something immediately under my stand. Mind you the tree was really moving and it was pretty difficult to hear much of anything. I heard what I thought to be a coon climbing up the tree. I swung around to grab my light from my pack hanging on the tree. Just as I did something grabbed my foot. I let out a terrifying scream like a little girl! I swear I almost sh*t myself. That coon turned out to be another hunter. I scared the guy so bad he about fell from the tree. I was on private land no less. Not only was he trespassing but he was also using my stands! We exchanged some words, mine weren't so friendly... The only other time I have been uneasy is hearing sounds like a young girl screaming and baby cries. A bobcat perhaps? Or those "non-existent" mountain lions that roam north / north -eastern Kansas.
I always get scared when I am on the ground and hear noises only because we have seen bobcats on our land while hunting
Agree with the walk out being the worst. In the morning I'm 20 ft. in the air and usually feel pretty confident. Some of these stories are cracking me up though! Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
while walking in one morning on a foggy, misty very dark morning something kept telling me to turn around and look after a few yards i did there was a coyote hot on my trail. well until the gun shot.
the only thing that really bothers me is the walk to and from the stand during the dark. I stop dead in my tracks when i hear something too. Just wondering what it could be and usually the worst possible thing comes to mind for some reason. I hate it. Once i get in the stand im good though since im off the ground.
These stories are priceless. There is a few common lessons to learn. 1st Never watch a slasher movie anytime near hunting season. 2nd always carry a good light, even if you don't plan on using it. A mini hi lumen tactical light is perfect. I have also learned that nothing puts my mind at ease in the woods in pitch black as a back-up pistol. I carry a mini NAA 5 shot 22lr or/and a Taurus Judge Public Defender. When I am on ground away from home, my back up pistol gets more serious. I have been known to even carry a Hi cap Glock 20 10mm.
what i do when i hear noises is try to figure out where and how far away it is. Then if its close i just move very slowly and get my gear in place then wait until sunrise.
This thread is amazing! I'm trying not to laugh out loud here at work. The scariest thing to happen to me is a screech owl right over my head on my walk back to the car. Definitely made me jump! Sent from my Galaxy S2 via Tapatalk
I have watched to many horror movies man...I freeze up with weapon in hand ready to go off on something if I have to lol...Morning is worse for me....
