We got some snow overnight, and my truck told me it was 14 degrees when I headed out this morning, so I expected that the deer would be active. I got into my stand well before daylight, and within a few minutes I could hear movement around me. Soon, silhouettes of deer could be seen against the snowy ground; two bucks feeding along a trail that leads to my stand. One was a good one, however by the time there was enough light to attempt a shot, they fed off in the opposite direction.
Shooting light came, and down the same trail came 15 deer, but none of them presented a shot. Then, two fawns showed up and decided to bed directly under my stand. They stayed there for over two hours, as I watched numerous other deer feed within 30 yards or so of me. No grown deer presented a shot until a small 4x4 fed under the stand and stood there at 10 yards. Not wanting to shoot him, I did practice drawing on him and letting down until he fed out of range. I kept hoping that one of his older brothers would make the same mistakes that he did, but it wasn't to be.
During this time, a flock of 20 or so turkeys fed around me, and I just knew that they were going to give me a shot, but it never came to pass.
I finally had to get down, so I dropped my blunt on the two fawns that were bedded under me. They barely noticed until I climbed down from the stand, and when I was finally about 10 feet from them, they decided to move off.
The morning was really entertaining, if a bit frustrating. I know that if I maintain persistence, it will all come together and success will happen. Sure is fun, though.