The evening of July 28th and the morning of July 29th were forecast to be clear. A rarity with the 2020 incessant rains. I decided to hike in after work and spend the night so I could hunt at first light. I was not disappointed. It is so much more than just shooting a deer given the opportunity. The country is just stunning. I hiked in the couple miles and set up my tent. I glassed until dark. I saw nothing but sandhill cranes and Canadian geese. The deer must be coming out after dark and they will be returning to their beds early. At 4:13 am a cacophony of Sandhill cranes woke me but that is not a bad wake up call. I climbed from my bed, dressed, and grabbed a bar for breakfast. It was less that 100 yards to where I would begin glassing. I still hunted through the sub alpine. As a result of the rains this year the vegetation was lush. Deer sign was everywhere. I could not find any deer for the first 20 minutes. I crossed a small draw and began working towards the low ridge that divided the basin. I had a favorite glassing spot I wanted to sit at for a while. Suddenly on top of the ridge in the early morning suns rays was a beautiful 3 point. It was 85 yards out. I needed a rest for that long of a shot. He continued down the ridge and I eased up to a short hemlock that provided a rest. When he stepped clear of some brush, I ranged him at 83 yards. I grunted and he stopped. The round ball was on its way. I saw him tumble over the ridge as he went out of sight. It was 5:30 am. I reloaded and walked to where he laid. I’d be coming out heavy. He died next to a small lake. I boned him and put him in my pack. I went back and added camp to the load. It was a clear sunny day, one of the few we would have this summer. The load felt good on the way back to where I had left the quad runner. I’d be home for lunch. We are so fortunate to have the public lands called the Tongass National Forest. God I love this place and these deer….