Opening morning

Many hunters describe the anticipation of opening morning as being like a little kid before Christmas morning. That's exactly how I feel.

Despite going to bed relatively early because I know I will be getting up before 5 a.m., I can never fall asleep. When I was younger, it was because I was extremely excited. Now, more than a dozen years after my first hunt, I don't feel that same uncontrolled excitement for opening morning, but the anticipation still keeps me up.

I run scenarios through my head all night. If a deer comes from the west side of the stand, should I wait to shoot until it comes to the opening? If a nice doe walks through early opening morning should I shoot or wait and hope a buck is following close behind? Should I wear an extra layer since the weather forecast calls for high winds? Will that be too warm? Will there be several deer hanging from the camp pole Saturday night? Will someone in the camp bring back the trophy buck we all know is wandering through the land?

I'm counting on another restless night before opening morning, but that's fine with me. It wouldn't be the same without it.