Don't lie now; you do the best napping of the year...

[AKElroy]

I get a few z's most mornings out. I like to be in the ladder chair or the box blind an hour before first light. That hour, in the cold breeze, with the leaves rustling, yeah I'm out. I've often wondered what I missed on those occasions when I wake up well into shooting-light.

 

[brainwake]

I missed a monster on opening day once.

I was just worn out from staying up late and not getting enough sleep. I had stayed up late 2 nights before getting ready. Then on the Friday before, we stayed up late partying and was just too anxious to sleep anyways.

So when 5 AM rolled around on opening day I just didn't have much in the tank. I dozed off waiting for the sun and woke up about a hour after sunrise. I opened my eyes and saw a flash of deer flesh through the trees. It shook me awake and I tried to get it in the scope, but was just too slow and groggy.

Later after the hunt, my wife had told me she saw a monster headed my way but couldn't get a shot off.

Since then, I have learned to get my gear together a few nights in advance and make sure I get a good nights sleep on Thursday at the very least.