Your senses and hunting--what do you think of?

[Steverino]

I'm wondering if we should start a thread called "Hantings or Spookings" In addition to all of the wonderful posts above, (the sound of rushing wind under waterfowl coming into a blind really is cool, ain't it?) how about the senses of things when they don't go, oh...how should one say, exactly right???

I cannot recount the number of times that I have been out pheasant hunting with friends and family and have had the beegeezus scared out of me from a flushing bird because I wasn't paying attention and was too busy BSing with someone walking next to me in the field. As folks are busting a gut when my bird flies off to safety, I'm defending my poor gun mount to the fact that I was getting over my recent heart attack.

And I have to (somewhat sheepishly ) admit that although I love the sunrise and being out before dawn to hunt deer, I am spooked walking in the darkness a couple of hours before first light. Some property that I bowhunt out West, last year, I swear no matter which routes that I took-upwind, downwind-to and from bedding or feeding areas, whatever..I'd stumble up on a deer that would hiss, grunt, or whistle. For those that know that sound, your skin will get instantly prickly with goosebumps as the hair stands up on your neck. It's gonne happen- it's just unnerving is all. I do think though, at least from my own experiences, that deer are alot more curious than most give them credit for. I have had many deer follow me and approach me at different times of the season.

Anyhoo, when I relay these stories to my family, they just shake their heads and call me insane.

One night a couple of years ago, I hiked into an area and climbed up a high ridge area to the opening of some woods (some of you may recall my telling this story when I inquired about the buck grunt, snort, wheeze thing) When I slowly made my way through the woods, I stopped at the edge of the treeline looking out across a small meadow that emptied into another woodline. I heard movement and saw a fuzzy outline of what appeared to be a buck's antlers about 60 yards away. As I remained silent a few minutes, the deer turned and I saw that it was a good buck that appeared standing under a huge oak tree in some tall grass. I took one step and my foot fell into a small sinkhole that wrenched my ankle good. As I was flying towards the ground, I saw this same "good buck RISE to it's feet! The thing was bedded and this dang deer was enormous as it made the most shrill whistle grunt sign that I had ever heard. I should've stayed down I know but this was the largest deer that I had ever laid eyes on! So...like an idiot, I rose to my feet, the deer looked at me (now that my outline was completely out of the treeline behind me) and bounded off in the bright fullness of a crisp autumn morning. It was truly one of the most beautiful sights that I ever saw. I mean, this image would have made the cover on one of those hunting calanders that you see. I fely very blessed to have seen this magnificent animal. I've never seen this buck on this property again.

And Fabs, you'll be glad when your townhome is done to yourself and new wife's liking. There's a time and season for everything. We as hunters know this fact well.