The clear, moonlit nights seem to have diminished early morning appearances as the boys are likely bedded or sequestered with does in quiet places well before first light. As slight confirmation, was just about to leave the stand yesterday evening when there were a couple of young bucks in a full out, knock down, turf tossing donnybrook so I stayed put to spectate. A forkie appeared to investigate the young gladiators and shake a few low fir boughs himself as darkness started to firmly enfold the remainder of the day. He turned abruptly and focused his attention that redirected the Leitz 10x light gathering view through the trees to a mature buck staring back at him but tending a doe. Too dark to count points as he again turned to the doe but they swept up well above and beyond his ears. Although nothing for the freezer from that encounter, a heart was quickened and more memories were made....