A night in a tree stand

It was way too hot for October and definitely too hot to be hunting as I began my 500-foot ascent. I planned to hunt an area on top of a mountain where I had seen several nice bucks. White and chestnut oak trees laden with acorns surrounded a meadow that deer had been frequenting.

I had hunted the area two days earlier and had seen two bucks, one of which was a shooter. Unfortunately, they didn't travel the route I expected and instead passed by at 60 yards. Today, I hoped to fine-tune my efforts and meet up with the duo again.

I was soon sweating profusely. All of those scent control measures I had taken prior to heading afield were now in vain. When I reached the top I changed out of my sweaty clothes and into my camouflage. By the time I reached where I wanted to hunt, it was late. I should have been there at least a half-hour earlier.

I set my stand in a chestnut oak tree 15 yards off a deer trail that led to the meadow. Within a minute of getting situated, I could make out two deer coming my way -- a doe and a fawn. They came to within about 20 yards of the meadow and then began paralleling it, circling downwind towards me.

They intercepted the trail I was hunting and the fawn started coming right toward me, while the doe stayed back. The fawn communicated with its mother in soft, barely audible grunts. It stopped on the trail right alongside me. For about five minutes it surveyed the field, oblivious to my presence, while the doe stayed 30 yards back munching on acorns.

Finally, the fawn caught my scent and looked up, directly at me. I remained motionless. The fawn stomped off stiffleggedly, followed by its mother. They left rather quietly. I rationalized that if it took a buck as long to smell me as it had taken these deer, I would have plenty of time for a shot.

As darkness approached I saw two large-bodied deer following the same route. I had a gut feeling that they were bucks. I notched my arrow and waited.

As they approached, my suspicions were confirmed. One of the two appeared to be a shooter. They continued along the route of the doe and fawn, but then cut straight in.

They passed my stand at about 50 yards away. The one was a smaller six-point, but the lead buck was an eight- point with a spread of approximately 15 inches.

They began feeding on the greenery. Within a minute heard clatter of antlers and turned from my watching the forest to see the two sparring. It was a treat to witness.

At dark, another buck joined the duo, passing along their same route. I waited until long after dark to leave my stand, hoping not to scare the deer.

I considered the night a success. If they keep on feeding in that meadow, eventually, I'll be able to set up a good ambush.

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Please consider being part of the Sinnemahoning Watershed Conservation Plan process.

Informational meetings will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen's Club; Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the DCNR District Office, Emporium; Thursday, Oct. 18, at St. Joseph Church Parish Hall, Force; and Thursday, Oct. 25. at the Austin Firehall.

Your input into this process is very important.