 I had imagined myself climbing up the ladder to the stand, so I was not worried about the climb itself, however, once I got to the top of the ladder and stood on the tiny wooden platform, I was shaking so violently I couldn't stop my teeth from chattering….That was the scenario the first time I climbed 20 feet up into a seemingly scrawny evergreen to practice shooting my bow at an angled target below.
I am proud to say that I have come a long way, baby! I don't particularly like being in the treetops on a really windy day, but I have conquered my fear enough that it does not consume me anymore. Sitting up there in some squirrel’s living room, swaying to and fro like the branches, I must admit, I have even relaxed enough to doze off, only to be jerked away by my safety harness growing taut as my head nodded forward.
Even after an entire season of “tree sitting” last year (notice I didn't say “hunting” I didn't have an opportunity to shoot at anything within my range), I was still gung-ho to get out there this season and wait. And wait. And wait. Only this season all the waiting paid off! Nearly at the end of the early bow season, I was “tree sitting” in what I refer to as the ‘upper stand’, when I saw a deer a good distance away. So far in fact, it was nearly unrec ognizable as a large animal. It seemed to be heading in my direction, but so had many others before, only to turn away before reaching the invisible perimeter I had set with the range finder. I didn't get very excited, I just kept watching. As the deer approached, I saw that it was a buck and my heart started to pound. He was coming right towards me 75 yards, 60, 50 (I stood up and got ready to draw), 40, 30, 25…. He had no idea that I was there, holding my breath and watching. I drew the bow back as he stepped behind a tree which blocked my view of his entire body. I was afraid if I let the draw down, he would sense my presence, so I held perfectly still, even though
I was shaking from holding the bow at full-draw for so long.
I watched as he raised his head and nibbled some branches. Then he took a few more steps, still eating, calmly chewing and looking around some more. I finally had a clear shot! It was just like on the hunting videos! I released my breath in a whoosh! as I heard him fall just beyond the thicket. I had just shot my first deer, a buck, with a perfect 22 yard shot from a tree stand, no less! This was the day I had been waiting for!!
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