Opening day of Virginias gun season started off very rainy and wet outside. But I figured you can't shoot a deer from the bedroom, so I got up picked up my hunting partner and headed to the woods. After arriving we were getting our gear out and heading to the stands. After arriving at my stand I hooked my rifle to the pull up rope on the sling at the butt end so the muzzle would be pointing at the ground. I climbed the 16 feet to the platform hooked myself to the tree strap and settled into the seat. I leaned over and started to pull up the rifle. Everything was perfect to this point until I got the rifle about an arms length from me then it happened. I reach for the rifle and the sling breaks and I watch helplessly as my rifle falls 16 feet and sticks in the ground like a dart up to the forend. I unhook myself and climb back down to pick up the rifle. It is starting to get daylight at this time and I am walking around trying to find a stick I can get the mud out of the barrel with. Having no luck finding a stick I walked back to the truck.
Thinking my hunt is over I get back to the truck and realize I had my Ruger revolver with me in the vehicle. I was able to use the revolver for the remainder of the morning.