So going to try my hand at hunting (anything other than submarines) this year and wanted to see if some folks could give me some pointers in preparing for the hunt, other than shooting.
Because of base regulations on trimming trees for shooting lanes and my own discomfort with setting up a stand, I'll probably go with either a quick set blind or spot&stalk.
This link (https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Oceana/Programs/NavalStationDepartments/NaturalResources/CNICP_A139754) is a map of the base hunting areas. If one google maps "352 South Bullpup Street, Virginia Beach, VA", you'll get a better view. I work in the building just south of #24 and plan to primarily focus on 24-27 since I can basically walk out to my truck after a shift, change and head out to the woods.
I've only been in area for a couple months, so I'm not to familiar with patterns, layout, etc. but I do plan to make a few trips out and about over the next few months. I just don't know what I should be looking for when I'm out and about. I do know that from late Feb - early March this year the deer seemed to transit the fence line on the right side of my work building from #24 to graze in the fields adjacent to the yellow parking dot from about 2300-0300. Afterward, it appeared they headed towards 26 & 27 near dawn. This was a fairly consistent pattern for about 3wks or so.
Please keep in mind that this is a military base I will be hunting on so some options may not be available to me. Also, since it's hard to see in the base map, the southern edge of 28 and 29 is a decently high security fence. On Google maps you can just make out the faint line north of the southern water and won't be a factor for me.
Any advice on preparations I should be making now would be appreciated.
Had to go to Google maps- couldn't get the other to come up on my computer.
Look at the inside corner of some of those fields. The deer will cut close to the corner, but stay out of the field if possible.
Also, if you are hunting the other side of the high fences the deer will walk right around those corners as well. They only go as far as necessary.
Make sure to check for oaks, the deer will hit those first.
If you stay on the ground- get a ghillie suit and trim up the arm to keep it out of your bow string.
I saw some areas that had thin stretches of land between water. Those are excellent funnels.
Finally, check out the high n dry areas in the swampy locations. Deer will bed up on those to be left alone. Might need waders.
Good luck!
My only advice, is unless you are really into the idea...skip the spot and stalk thing. Trying to stalk and kill whitetails in most areas under most conditions is an excersise in futility. It can be done on occasion, but if you are not into the stand idea, I would opt. for the groundblind.
As per the above, Funnels and inside corners, hunkered down in your ghillie. Or ground blind. The wind is key for your stand location. Try to set up various stand sites good for the different wind directions on the base. ONLY HUNT THE STANDS WHERE THE WIND IS RIGHT. You'll blow your cover if not. Or.... as per another thread, you could smoke up before going out. No, not that way, as in wood smoke as a cover scent. Stick around this site, there's always something new/old.
Look for bedding areas, travel routes to and from food sources, and early season an rut look for water.Set up around them and you should have some luck.But get out and scout as much as you can.
I to like ground hunting. I would suggest a ghillie suit trimmed for shooting your bow. Keep the wind in your favor and have fun.
Thanks for the advice so far. I can see that I'm going to be limited in what I can actually do out there with the base regulations and small hunting zones. However, it's good to know where to start at least. I'm not going into this season expecting much but learning.
THANK YOU for your service to our country...
Yea...I'm with Buckwheaties on that one. Thank you sir!
ok this is a very inportant piece of advice :
"be veeerrrrry veeeeerrrrry quiet yuuur hunting wwwwwwwitetawles" aaaaaaa :scared: