The omens are bad so far. Last month I checked on my stand and - dummy I am after leaving it out all off-season - I climbed up and found the seat half gone and a woodrat (second one I've ever seen - think Giant fieldmouse) shot out of a massive nest that had been my seat. As I was removing the stand I noticed I was covered in ants. They had filled the cross channels with eggs and more ants. Good news, I guess, is that I discovered this BEFORE I had two pant-legs full of ants on opening day. I soaked the stand in a stream overnight to drown them.
New seat is old fire-hose. That ought to hold up! Was a cast iron b!+c# to attach to the seat frame.
This morning I took a practice shot before work and the nock failed. I have a 3" blood blister to remind me why bracers are still a good idea. Tore the nock point off in my skin and had to repace that - good excuse to get back on the horse; so to speak. I guess I'd rather hit my arm than split a bow tip.
Hoping I've paid my dues. Won't be able to get out until Oct 7th. I've seen does and yearlings a-plenty but no velvet or antlers as yet.