These are just a snippet of things I've learned while trying to learn bow hunting over the last 2 years (this being the 2nd year).

#1. You always know when a deer is within eyesight of you because a HOARD of mosquitoes will attack you en-mass right when the deer is close enough to see you trying to shoo them away.
#2. I have power over mother nature. I can pick a spot, any spot, anywhere in the woods, and within 15 minutes of setting up in that spot, I can have the wind blowing from all 4 directions-regardless of where the prevailing wind "should" be.
#3. No matter which direction I face, the deer will ALWAYS come in from behind me. Now, I've learned that if I think a deer will come in from a certain direction, I set up on the OPPOSITE side of the tree. And then they come in from where I am not facing..
#4. I used to believe that "jumping the string" meant that a deer somehow jumped OVER the arrow-instead of ducking under it. Well, I had ONE shot at ONE legal deer last year and when I let the arrow go-INTENTIONALLY AIMING LOW-he jumped straight up in the air, and the arrow flew under him!!!! Yes, that one really JUMPED the string/arrow.
#5. If you jump a deer on the way to the stand-don't bother hunting. Even if the deer you jumped is 1/2 mile or more away from your stand.
#6. Your climbing stand always seems heavier walking out of the woods after an unsuccessful hunt.
#7. Your walk out of the woods always seems longer after an unsuccessful hunt.

I'm sure I've over-looked many others, but that is where you guys come in-please feel free to add what bow-hunting has taught you.

The good Lord made sure that 45 minutes before sunrise, everything looks like a huge buck.

that's a good start on what should end up being a very long list

True.

There is no stealthy way to pee in a bottle in a tree stand

Amen brother. Put that at the top of the list.

Try a gatorade bottle. Tad bit easier having a bigger hole to aim at.

Also...why does my stomach growl when I have reached my tripod? It never growls any other times of the day.

every squirel sounds like 150" buck

I just pee on the ground....and still not stealthy while doing it. All true point though....

Big bucks know when you have already used your tags. Never fails to have a larger than the one you shot show up a couple weeks later and eat comfortably until he is full.

Armadillos make a lot of noise walking through the woods.

Does are greedy corn gobbling tattle tails. They always want to stay at the feeder right at dark so you're forced to run them off.

Never trust the weather channel.

Bow hunter's mantra: "If I'da had my rifle..."

If there is a tree or limb that you didn't trim prior to season against your better judgement, it will block an easy shot.

Never pass an opportunity to a clean restroom on the way to the lease.

If you ever find yourself hunting a backwoods place alone with no access to truck, atv, or wheel barrow, brace yourself! For you will soon arrow a large bodied animal an have the joy of near herniation packing it out solo. This becomes a near guarantee if light is fading or a cold front/ monsoon approaches.

If an animal poses at a questionable range it can be a rule of thumb: splitting pins equals splitting dreams.

You have bought top of the line concealment camo clothing, face masked with only the sclera of the eyes to give away your human presence, sitting as still and unmoving as progress in congress as you wait motionlessly to out wit that buck of a lifetime; however, it is a pesky blue jay that alerts you to all of the forest that provides the humbling reality check of your stealth skills.

Coon urine, with all things in life, is best in moderation. You may not notice the smell of the half bottle you just applied on the walk in, but make no mistake fifteen minutes of sitting in a stand eyes watering and nares burning with the furnace that is the fragrance of a raccoon orgy will have illustrated the lesson clearly.

Velcro and Pop Tart wrappers are the most NOISEY things on earth. Yall all have great comments !

There is no such thing as fog proofing eye glasses.

Taking one arrow into the tree stand means an extra trip up and down the ladder.