2 Dead deer because of a saddle.

[Loopwing]

So last Saturday I was hunting with my buddies and he mentioned that one of his cameras is covered up by does at sunset, but everytime he sits his ladder stand he doesn't see a single deer. I told him they are checking the stand before they walk through. He didn't believe me. I went to the stand, found a good tree (wind and back cover) within 20 yards of the ladder stand. Just before sunset I heard a herd coming through down wind of the ladder stand. A single deer broke away and walked around and looked directly up at the ladder stand. When she saw it was empty she went back to the herd of 8 and walked them through. I shot the biggest at the foot of the ladder stand, 6 ran away and number 2 died of acute lead poisoning to both lungs.

Moral of the story, find those ladder stands and other stands left in the woods and use them as decoys. Deer know those stands are there and will check them.

 

[gumby]

He may not be your buddy anymore after this.

 

[Horn]

He may not be your buddy anymore after this.

Or he'll be smart and learn

I've often thought I seen a single animal "scouting" for the rest of them. It makes sense that they would do something like that to me but who knows

 

[Loopwing]

He may not be your buddy anymore after this.

He had a few choice words and names for me. It was a great teaching moment for him and a feather in the one stick and saddle cap!