This is a little late, and actually took place on a fine day in March. I love scouting in March. In my areas in the midwest, there are things that you can see on the ground in March that you simply cannot see during the summer, or even during season. Sign accumulates over the course of the season and is preserved during the winter months. During the month of March it is all right there to see...plain as day.
A few years back I spent a few days at Barry Wensels bootcamp. I learned some subtle yet priceless pieces of information that I could not wait to apply to a particular piece of property. The last few years have been very busy for me and scouting/hunting time has been greatly reduced. Not cool! Couple that fact with this property being 4.5 hours away from my house, and I just never made it down there to scout when I should have, but rather used what March scouting time I had to focus on smaller, less productive areas near my home. That all changed, when this past February I marked off a couple days on the calendar at work specifically for scouting this far away hunting land.
There is one area on the property that I was very interested in, but had only previously scouted it in the summer. The main feature is a large and seemingly signifigant ridge running mostly east to west. At the top and bottom of this ridge are crop fields that are rotated from beans to corn. Anway, this ridge actually runs for miles onto adjoining landowners properties. I decided to spend a full day just learning the nuances of this ridge. We get alot of northwest winds during November. So my theory was that this ridge would likely see cruising bucks during November. This would allow the wind to come from over the top of the ridge, while they can see down below.
To make it even sweeter, there is a shelf that runs along this ridge about half-way down. Now, running perpendicular to the ridges there are a number of drainages running from the top to the bottom. We all know that there are normally "headers" at the upper ends of these drainages that allow deer to cross through without having to drop down into the "gorges" which aside from steep walking are often littered with log jams. I knew where all the headers were at the top near the field but I was interested in seeing what may be on the side of the ridge. And was really hoping there would be a good stand site along there. I started walking down the ridge from the top until I came across the first major run. I followed this run for 200 yards or so in one direction, and then 200 yards or so the other direction. Not finding anything significant, I then moved down the ridge to the next major run. These major runs are not noticible in the summer. But they really stand out in March. Anyway, I followed this run for probably 300 yards in either direction. Here I found where the run passed around a header right on the shelf. I also found that the original trail from higher up the ridge also passed through this header. Perfect! Laying right at the header was a 4pt. shed antler. I'm liking this spot more all the time! Anyway, I continued down the hill and found 3 more major runs, and guess where they all converged? Right at that same header on the shelf! That is 5 major trails each running for hundreds of yards and each of them converging in the exact same spot. Now to sweeten the deal even more, I followed all these trails back the other direction even further and again all 5 of them merged again at a fence line with an old gate opening in it! Bam! Two instant stand sites! With any northery wind, the deer can travel this shelf, smelling anything above them and able to see below. I now have 2 stand sites where all 5 trails converge in different locations! At the header, there happens to be a perfect tree 15 yards away that will take a ladder stand on the downwind side of where all 5 runs converge. I have been dreaming about sitting in this tree each night. To top off the day, I ended up finding the other side of the shed antler just further down the trails past the header. No doubt, that buck had walked right around the header, right past my new favorite tree, and then shed both antlers along the way. I cannot wait for November!
Cool a deer hunting post! This time of year gets loggy with all the shooting stuff. Jon, good find, I dig those header setups too. My place in Mo has lots of that terrain. Steeper than I'm used to at home and I'm finding that often those shelves on steep sidehills tend to have jacked up wind... much like creek bottoms. I'm always drawn to them, but out of 5-6 I've set up on out there only 1 ended up with predictable wind. It is a very wide shelf, maybe 75 yards. The setup isn't a header, but a true crossing of a ravine, its the only crossing in about 600 yards and connects two good areas of my farm. I passed up bucks almost every time I was in there last fall.
This March, following that trail/shelf I found it joined up to an old, old logging road, crossed the main drainage about 300 yards from that stand, and headed to a thick area on neighboring property. There is a beautiful spot there that covers the N/S creek crossing (creek runs E/W), covers an E/W trail paralleling the creek on the first bench, and two trails that converge on a short deep header just W of the crossing. There is only one tree, about a twelve inch diameter straight shagbark with no cover. Next time I get out there I'm going to set it up and build some serious cover in the tree. Its in a creekbottom flat, but I'm hoping the E/W creek channels the NW wind and pulls it past. Probably looking at 3-4 hours work to setup that tree, maybe 25% chance the wind will work out..... but man, if it does, that stand will be a doozy in November. This is the crap I think about all spring/summer!!
R
Fantastic thread! My heart beats to hunt deer. I agree with Mr. Rathaar, great to see a deer dhunting thread this time of year. The season never ends.
Thanks,
Jake
Great work, Jon. I just hope nobody else has permission to hunt the same property..it would really suck eggs to walk in and find somebody lousing up your honey hole.
Great thread!! I really enjoy scouting and shed hunting. It's a great time for me to get all my kids out and show them deer sign. I enjoy watching them putting pieces of the puzzle together and helping pick out stands.
I have a couple set ups that are on shelves at either a header or gully crossing. They are very nice funnels. They turn out outstanding on good acorn years as both are loaded with white oaks. The wind is a little tricky on one of them but is fun to hunt when it is right. This is the time of year to find these spots too. I have been putting in a few miles myself this spring looking at old and new setups for next season.
Good post Jon, I can "see" that spot from your description and your excitement in describing it. I bet I know where you'll be come November! I find this time of year "almost" as much fun as the fall hunting....the scouting, stand preparation all leads to the possibilities of whats gonna happen in November. Spots like you described make for some sleepless nights thinking of point blank shots :thumbsup:
I hear ya Ryan. The wind is what I'm most concerned about in this spot. I checked it both morning and evening with milkweed "puffs" and it seemed to remain directionally consistent (out of the northwest that day) but I'm going to have to keep my fingers crossed. In this area the shelf is pretty wide as well so that may help with the winds. The next order of business is the tree itself. It just so happens to be a hawthorn! It's going to take some work to get a stand in that tree. At the other end where the trails all converge and go through the fence opening, the terrain is flatter (more consistent winds) but the best tree has very little cover so I will need to add cover to this tree. Like you this is the kind of thing that keeps playing out in my head all summer long while I wait for November!
Good thread buddy, best of luck to you!!
The more I think about this, I have to add.....
It's such a shame that a real hunting thread like this gets so few responses, but when someone gets a new bow and post photo's, it seems tons of folks will respond.
A thread like this has so much educational value for hunters!
Just thinking out loud I guess...
Great find Jon, and good info
Sounds like an awesome setup Jon. You have inspired me to get out and look around a bit. Thanks
I'll be anxious to hear how your find and Uncle Barry's nudging all play out for you next Fall.
My trip to bootcamp changed the way I look at the properties I hunt nowadays. Since being there and making adjustments, I've increased opportunities at mature deer. Haven't dropped the string on one since then but I'm patient and know it will happen in due time.
Good Luck Jon, keep us posted.
Jon you can try lighting off a smoke bomb on that shelf and get a good idea of the eddies. Gene and Barry sure have shared a lot of great information in their books have they not. Good luck this fall.
I agree - no better time to scout then Feb and March. Sounds like you have a couple of good spot picked out!
I am absolutely so proud of you "young" guys putting in the hours of slowly walking the timber with a purpose. It's a puzzle just waiting to be solved. But once you learn how to do it you can do it over and over for the rest of your life. On top of that, like Trap said, it might take a couple years before the right buck comes by but you know in your heart it's just a matter of time. Like I've preached many times before, scouting leads to understanding; understanding leads to confidence; confidence leads to patience; and patience leads to the opportunity for success. The neat part is I can feel it all in your enthusiasm; read it between the lines and I just KNOW you guys get it. The sport needs more guys like yourselves who will eventually hand down your own knowledge and opinions to the future generations. I'm truly very proud of you guys. Thanks. BW
Thanks for the responses guys. I should add here that while my hunting time and access to private land has decreased my chances at good bucks have actually Increased since a little help from Uncle Barry. I've just blown my chances the last couple of years! HA! But I will make good on them. I think that probably the 2 biggest things I have learned from Uncle Barry is to scout when the time is best...but mostly to SLOW down while doing so. Figure it out. Go back more than 1 time if you need too. We should not forget that the scouting is the actual hunting! I''ll never forget a guy asking Barry if he "completely walks every trail in his area". The answer was a resounding "Yea...pretty much." Anyway this spot may or may not turn out....but I think it will eventually. I'll report back sometime in November.
Thanks for the info, Jon. As a new bowhunter I really appreciate it when folks take the time to write these kinds of details down for others learn from. Good luck to you!
I've been out all through Jan - March and have actually set up ten new trees for this Fall. Also, blocked some trails and cleared some entry trails. Down here in TX its just to hot to do this stuff any other time of year :)
Boy I wished I could be scouting for the mulies around here now! The closest thing I have is maps and satellites this time of year. they are all still on the winter range.
The first thing the Old Man taught me about whitetail hunting was that the number of chances you'll get on mature whitetails is directly proportional to how fast you wear out a pair of boots. There's a lot of truth to the old saying "The harder I work, the luckier I get."
I think too many guys think killing big deer is really hard, something "normal" people can't do. That falsehood is perpetuated by much of the hunting "industry", whether that is magazines, TV, or whatever. Of course you have to be hunting an area with some older deer around, but after that it ain't rocket science... lots of time, observation, learning.... what you might call "work" and it will come together.
I figure 3 years of serious hunting on a property and I start to get a handle on things, by year 5
I feel pretty good. That means probably a couple hundred hours on stand and that much or a bit more scouting, in each area or property. I might luck into one before that, but I've never found big whitetails to come easy!
R
That's perfect Ryan. I wanna believe that to be true as well. I know I have certainly been guilty of not putting in the necessary time, but mostly that is due to scheduling and or distance it hunting areas. But the truth is that the scouting and learning part is the actual hunting and for me is a major part of the fun in it all. When you scout and come up with theory's months in advance, it makes the waiting for deer season so much more enjoyable. I mean hell, just the dreams alone are worth the price of the boot leather!
I just attended one of Barry's bootcamps a couple of weeks ago...i am lucky in that my farm is pretty close to where bootcamp occured...after we concluded Saturday afternoon i headed straight to my place. I spent all day Sunday walking my timber and flagging new stand sights in similar locations/set ups that Barry showed examples of the previous couple of days...the sign was incredible and i looked at the area in a completely different way...seemed like i was able to connect the dots in a much more logical way instead of simply hanging a stand because it just looked good. Slowing down my scouting helped in a big way and i already feel confident in the locations i will be hanging stands and itching for november.
NGK, I drove through northern MO on my way to Barry's. Really neat looking country and it looks to be good whitetail hunting. Good luck!
Great post, really enjoyed it, thanks. I'm looking forward to doing the same, if the snow ever melts up here. The fields are clearing pretty good, but we've still got a bunch in the woods. I've hunted most of my spots for many years, but we have to always keep in mind that things change. They can change over the course of years, from year to year, and during the course of the season. The only way to know for sure what's going on, is to get out there and see. Thanks again.
Bob
Great post. Thanks for putting this up here.
Agree...great post and info.
Great read guys I love whitetail hunting, game of kings.
I used to scout all the time when I was younger and had the energy but lacked the knowledge to put it to good use. Although my hunting grounds at the time would see a lot of hunting pressure it still habored a few true trophy bucks. thru all those years of hunting that area I only had fletting glimpses of my intended quarry. I always felt I was busted by them while going to or from my stand, and I am pretty sure I am right on that.
Real frustrating not knowing who was there last or when.
Fast forward 30 years, I still lack the knowledge to put a puzzle together like Barry and coupled with the fact, hard work though the years has taken a toll of my knees and hips, severally limitling my ability to cover ground. My heart and mind still want to scout and I do so, but very lilimted, but my body is
unable. Oh to be young again.
Here you go Jon. We dont have "headers" in the flat marshy country I hunt in but there are alot of guts coming off marshes. When you get a high tide and the water fills in those guts bucks will cross at the head's of em. Always a rub line going around em. Bets are off at low tide, dang bucks will cross where they want. I had a couple hours between jobs today and checked out an area that I hadnt got to yet this spring. Walking out some trails/rubs I walked up on a matched set of sheds in an area that had numerous rubs right on one of those little high spots. I haven't found a matched set in a long time so that was a treat. Starting to green up here just a bit, still got time so get out there :thumbsup:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/yohon/IMG_1500_zpshb4wqdnb.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/yohon/media/IMG_1500_zpshb4wqdnb.jpg.html)
Very enjoyable thread!
One of the areas I hunt has pine/spruce plantings. I've been hunting there since they were seedlings. There is a small clearing in a spruce planting and the heaviest cover in the area is on 3 sides. I've seen bucks go through there 100s of times from a distance, but too thick for a quality ground set-up. A spruce on the prevailing down wind side is now big enough to hang a stand in. It is easy in and out and only 10 feet high, but that is enough to shoot down into the clearing that has waist/shoulder high brush growing. 6 north-south trails bottleneck on the west side of the stand 18 yards and closer. It took a long time, but I can't wait to slip in there on a frosty November morning:)
These are the kind of threads I really enjoy. Glad you found some more property to hunt Jon!
March and April are two of my favorite months to check whitetail grounds. The snow is either deep or gone and it just feels good to be out side. I have about 4-5 hours of scouting in since the beginning of April. I found a few really good sized rubs in a area close to where i hunted last year, already day dreaming of sitting in a tree there.
Good post Curt. I too wonder why this type of thread doesn't get more response. I spend way more time scouting than shooting, making arrows, etc. Don't need the latest, fastest, fanciest to kill stuff.
While our spring scout time is later than all you lower 48 guys, its fun to see what you may have missed in the fall because you were busy hunting another area.
Its a time to pick up sheds from the survivors too. You can't help but find some if you put on the miles. Finding them may tell you something about the Bucks habits too.
I've hunted and scouted the same spots for years when all of a sudden the light bulb goes off and you see a new set up.
But then I rode the short bus to school too. :p
I agree with Guru. This post is very educational. I appreciate posts like these because I am the only one in my family interested in archery and bow hunting, so it looks like it is up to me to start the tradition to be passed down...no pressure.
Keep this in mind, I'm not sure if you are hunting public or private with exclusive permission.
But I've hunted public in steep hill county or big ridge country, if there are other people hunting the other ends from where you are
It will influence how the deer move in these what appear to be money spots, becaue of careless hunters at other spots.
I watched nice bucks slip thru these spots, but the big buck would avoid them and go billy goat to get thru them.
Just food for thought,
Great thread hope it keeps going. I just bought the book " Come November" what a great book! Learning so much. Got me out doing some scouting! Hope this thread keeps going. I'll try to figure out how to post a video of a big rub I found later.
Good stuff guys. Denny, that spot sounds great. Talk about "planting the seed for success!" Good luck out there guys.
Good thread, lets keep it going......
Here is another situation I've been thinking about, this has been a 2 year learning process so far. Check out the map below....top is north, finger of ag field (terraced ground years ago) with timber dropping off on 3 sides - typical Midwest situation. The west side of the field is a shingle oak/cedar/grass thicket about 10 acres, that ends on a bluff over the creek that is lined by the old doze piles from the field terracing.
My original setup was stand A at the back of the finger to cover the old logging road and deer trails coming into the field, this is the obvious place, and where all the deer sign/sightings will be during the summer and early fall. I can access along the east side of the field from the north and there is enough of a rise in the field that deer in the thicket on the west cannot see across. Of course the thicket is a main bedding area.
Year 1 during the rut sitting stand A I saw 3 good bucks in 4 sits, and several smaller ones, cross from the thicket across the field on the dotted line....west to east (all with a S or SW wind). I remembered it, and checked it out that spring, but there was no obvious reason for that travel pattern. The place marked "S" on the east side of the field is an old ratchet strap 15 feet up a tree grown into the tree on the field edge (old treestand from previous landowner).
Year 2 (last fall) I saw 3 other good bucks, including a 150 class 4X5 come out the same place! Now we have a pattern. Next year I'll have a stand at stand "B". It will be tricky...SW wind, planning on the deer being close enough that the wind will be over them (hope...). If the first deer out of the corner is big enough to shoot I can get him before he gets my wind. I can get in there by following the east edge around past stand A and sneak in from the SE.
It is going to be a rut only deal...kill one or blow it...but worth the trouble. The only good tree there is a post oak with minimal cover, about a 10 inch diameter tree. I can get up 12-14 ft, but will need to build in some cover. That is in the plan for next week.
Some more walking and I think the situation is bucks checking the bedding area and then heading straight off cross country to check another area 500-600 yards away to the SE. The inside corner there isn't an obvious spot - not much sign there - but it is obviously a great cruise-through during the rut.
A couple things I take from this situation:
1. This fits another bit of wisdom the Old Man gave me years ago - "If you see him do something once remember it, see him do it twice set up on it, the third time you better be there."
2. Pay attention to old setups - the previous landowner was there for a reason. I don't put too much emphasis on his old sets because he was primarily a gun hunter - but that strap is in the tree for some reason.
3. Don't forget - sign and observation during summer/early fall is great...but doesn't mean much during prime time.
R
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/DSC00533_zpsujh8jaci.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/RyanRothhaar/media/DSC00533_zpsujh8jaci.jpg.html)
Hey Ryan, don't miss! :) Hahaha I made a few hunt houses like you told me your Dad was using for my Dad and I. Thanks again for helping out with the last article too.
The spruce stands, while low provide good cover and shot angles at close range.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/I%20spruce%202_zpsedzqrlp8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dsturgisjr/I%20spruce%201_zps2rfimml2.jpg)
"If you see him do something once remember it, see him do it twice set up on it, the third time you better be there."
I LOVE that one!!!! :thumbsup:
Hey Ryan is that field continuous soybeans? Have you hunted it with corn there? It would make a sneaky entrance easier but it also might expand their bedding area.
No unfortunately due to the size and terrain the farmer can't get corn in there. Will be a short maturity bean this year followed by winter wheat with clover frost seeded. 2016-2018 will be clover that gets mowed for hay, which I'm real happy with. I'm planning to buy enough alfalfa seed to have around 20% in the mix, and give it to the farmer to add in.... win/win/win for the farmer, the deer, and me :) . Clover will probably be better overall for the hunting than beans.
R
Here is a video of that rub I found when scouting.
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag459/homey861/th_MOV_4783.MOV_zpsgcwa9wyh.mp4) (http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag459/homey861/MOV_4783.MOV_zpsgcwa9wyh.mp4)
http://vid1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag459/homey861/MOV_4783.MOV_zpsgcwa9wyh.mp4
Hey Ryan, good stuff. I've got a question though, not having seen the area at all I was wondering could you set your stand near where the old ratchet strap is so that you can remain downwind of the cruising trail, so as to help with the tricky wind situation of stand B? Or is it a deal where the trails are more concentrated where stand B is? I could see how you could have trails converging there near the bedding area, but by the time the buck crosses the field from west to east the trails may branch off and he may enter the woods on the east side of the field any number of ways. Am I close? Ha!
Great thread!! I'll be headed out today to look at some land!
Had to laugh... looked at the map Ryan drew and thought... man the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...
Could have passed for Roger's drawings in his books...
Jonathan
Yep, good eye, Jon. It's on my list to try to figure out something close to the old strap in the tree. The problem is there that its big timber and the cover is even more limited in the trees there than for stand B. That would be a better option for approach as I could drop off of the field not shown to the east and cross the bottom drainage to access from NE. There will be a stand there eventually. Another thing about option B is that there is some N/S activity along the thicket edge that could be covered from there. That cedar thicket has 8 inch diameter rubs from last year.
This is really still my learning time for this place....the first year I had 11 stands on it (around 90 acres/65 timber). Year 2 I had 10 stands, but only 2 hadn't moved from year 1 - some weren't moved very far, but only 2 ended up in the same tree. This year I'm planning to start the season with 10 stands up, of which 5 will be stands that were up last year and 5 will be new.
R
Gotcha Ryan. Thanks. Yea I could see where a Northwest wind could work for that spot because a buck can scent check the thicket. I wonder if the Bucks you are seeing on a south or southwest wind pattern may be paralleling the west field edge just inside the woods where they can check the thicket and then taking a right turn past your future stand as they head off the the next bedding area. Interesting stuff.
Great thread.
For years I have hunted flat ag ground with the majority of the cover being shelter belts (planted rows of trees). Fairly easy in those situations to figure out where the deer are going to travel and how they are going to use the wind.
Then about 5 years ago I gained access to river breaks country; steep sided draws with creeks in the bottom, and thick cover of cedars and oaks on the hill sides. Definitely a deer hunters paradise.
At first glance it seemed like it would be easy to locate stands in country like this. Heck, everything was prime deer habitat! After one season I quickly learned not all was as it seemed. Not all areas received equal use, and most frustrating of all, some of the very best areas seem impossible to hunt because of winds that constantly swirl.
This thread on scouting a header caught my eye, because it falls right in line with the type of locations that I know are best but have found so difficult to hunt due to swirling winds.
I'm not even sure this is a legit question, but are there certain terrain features, or techniques in stand location in these types of areas that can up a person's odds? One thing I've found is it seems the winds are more stable once the leaves are gone. Also, if I can stay up on top of the ridges I usually get predictable winds. It still drives me bonkers though that some of what I feel are the very best ambush locations just seem impossible to hunt because of swirling winds.
A perfect example is a location on the property I hunt where three ridges rise up out of a draw. At the bottom where the ridges rise up is a deep bowl with a great header crossing used by every deer either headed up towards the top or coming down towards the creek in the bottom. No matter where I place my stand though the wind turns into an enemy. What have some of you done in similar situations?
Anyone have wisdom to share?
Guys, I would really like to hear from those of you that have more experience than I do hunting this type of terrain. I'm positive you could give me some advice and share some wisdom.
Kevin,
Gene Wensel's latest book has some high level wind theory in it.
Thanks for the input, Steve. I have devoured Gene's latest book and it is awesome. It was his wind theory that opened my eyes to leaves vs. no leaves making a big difference in how the wind behaves in an area. I also took to heart his quote that the best wind is a wind that is almost good for the deer and almost bad for the hunter. I paraphrased that a bit, but that is how I interpreted his words.
Again, thanks.
Yea Kevin, I've been in that situation many times as well where you find what is seemingly a perfect spot only to find that the winds are going to be too inconsistent. One thing I'm finding though is to not make assumptions without checking things. Like we know that winds are normally pretty inconsistent in the bottoms of ravines, and creek bottoms. But that doesn't mean there aren't spots where the wind will be more consistent. It seems like you have to check each spot.
Jon, and others, I just wanted to say thank you for initiating and sharing your scouting "techniques". It encouraged me to get off my duff and get out in the woods.
I have now found an area that is literally beaten down with trails and prints. Both big and small alike.
I primarily hunt public ground so I will need to find a few more "spots". But I really like the area I found. It is thick, sort of swampy in that is low land, and it has those tunnels that are formed by the deer as they meander through the under story.
I have found several spots where the tunnels empty out into small open areas that will offer some good shots.
Come on October!
-Jeremy :coffee:
We've been preparing since late Feb. Trimming paths to stands, paths to funnel deer, prepping treestand locations, foodplot, mineral sites, etc.
As a longtime Trad bowhunter, this may be blasphemy, but check out Bill Winke's site, Midwest Whitetail. He's discussing alot on wind techniques right now. Admin: warning...it's not trad but it is bowhunting.
Kyle
Great Thread Jon, Not sure how I missed it.
I think you guys have great ideas. I have spent a lot of time in years past trying to find deer sign and understand their movements on a public piece I hunt.
I dont want to take away the importance of your thread because the advice and tactics here are sound but for me where I hunt, I find it more useful to scout immediately after deer season and also during it.
I tend to find that if I can pattern hunters, usually I can find the deer. Last fall I found a gut Pile that was full of corn. I am a bit perplexed as the nearest corn field is miles away, so I am not sure if these deer travel there at night or someone is baiting.
Part of the trouble on this Ground is that most guys leave their stands in there indefinitely. Its not uncommon to see 15-20 stands in one scouting session. These do not give me complete accurate info as often stands go unused.
The nice thing about January and February missions is I can find food sources like acorns, but often they are ignored in November.
I tend to go way in but found last fall after gun season starts (this is a bow only area) most deer do not travel as far into the brush. As far as I can tell, these deer move to residential areas to feed at night in the cover of Darkness and return before light. I have also found they travel a bit during mid day.
Today while walking about I found an area i have always discounted before. Its close to the road but has several major trails that are forced to a narrow area about 30 yards wide and then 2 merge and then down to a 15 yard wide section.
It has a hill on one side which on the other side of is a business with high fences and on the other side is an old abandoned yard with tall chain link fence. the trails are HEAVY and there is an Ag field another 75 yards deeper. Most hunters as far as I can tell go way around this spot and much deeper in the woods.
From what I can tell the deer funnel out of the field and stage in this little area and feed on acorns before they move off and cross the road onto private land.
I still need to understand the wind better here but feel like I have hit a home run with this spot.
I cant tell you how many times I have walked past it thinking It might be OK last fall, the sign in there is overwhelming.
Good stuff guys. Good luck this fall. It won't be long now.
I'm a little obsessed I guess. I have not stopped thinking about this spot. I was able to get 2 days off of work so I decided to go there and hang some stands in the areas I scouted this March. The area that is the topic of this thread is so far turning out to be a dream come true. I hung a stand in the best tree there. I know it's going to be the right spot. My concern has been swirling winds since this stand is located on a shelf on the side of a ridge. I've checked the currents with milkweed pods and so far it looks good. But it may be different when the foliage comes off the trees. If not then this stand has it all. There are multiple trails covering the entire length of the ridgeline which runs mostly north to south. They all converge around a header that is midway down the ridge on a "shelf". The "shelf" in this situation is pretty wide. That may be why I'm seeing consistent wind patterns. The gorge where the header exists is deep steep and full of logjams making it even more attractive. The tree I placed the stand is mostly perfect. It may need a little cover in it which I will add in a month or so but even if I didn't it would probably be fine. Access could not be better. I can slip right up the drainage from the gravel road at the bottom and climb the bank and climb the tree. It's quiet walking and hidden from the deer that I know bed above. I can't wait to try this one out this November!
I like the sound of your setup!!!
It's awesome when you can find those SPOTS that just scream at ya!!!
Looking forward to some updates this fall :archer:
Been thinking off and on about this thread all summer...
Good stuff. I'm a certified deer junky myself. The new age of "scouting" seems to involve a camera and although nice, I'm convinced it has made hunters even more lazy than ever.
I love walking the woods and putting together the big picture. This thread has me motivated to add some pics and things from my neck of the woods. Great read.
kbetts, pics would be great!
Love a good scout report. Good stuff! Down here in coastal Ms. we don't have ridges, shelves or headers as the bubble stays between the lines down here. What we do have in common with our neighbors north is our deer like to eat. I don't spend much time looking for deer in mid summer but there's no better time to zero in on food sources. By now crab apples can be located and with a good pair of binoculars acorns can be seen. Last years White oak production 100 miles to the north was so good that pinning down deer was tough. Scouting affords me opportunities to set a slow pace and study areas without disturbing others and I can make a note of ways to approach potential stands under varying wind conditions. I keep clearing to a minimum but there is no better time than now to do so. For someone that loves the outdoors as much as I do, I don't need much reason to get afield. Look, how else can a fella get a good dose of Red bugs unless he gets out and beats the bushes! If there's such thing as the next best thing to huntin it's scoutin. Oh and it's a good chance to load some new way points in the ole Garmin too. Good huntin!
Thanks for bringing this back up, Jon. I meant to give an update, but time slips by....
Here are a couple pictures from fixing up the tree marked "B" on my map on page 3. Did this mid-April. This is the barest time of the year for cover, and it really shows what you have to work with. In November, during the rut, the majority of these oaks will still have most of their leaves, so things won't look near as bare....but I still needed lots of cover...
Here is the tree, a small post oak, with climax stand hung up about 12 feet high.....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/Stand%20tree%20with%20stand_zpsns6qauun.jpg)
The stand tree with fencing in place.......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/stand%20tree%20with%20fence_zpslelcaco5.jpg)
The final product, deer's eye view from the field crossing shown on the map, 12-15 yards from the tree. The good thing is that like Bearclaw Chris said to Jeremiah in the movie "Elk don't know how many legs a horse have." whitetails don't know that cedar limbs don't grow in an oak tree. Looks a bit obnoxious right now, but in about 3 days the deer are used to it and by fall, of course, its part of the scenery.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/Stand%20tree%20finished_zpsxrfeepxl.jpg)
Some welded wire fence, some wire, a bunch of cable ties, and some cedar limbs and you're in business. Around home I mostly use beech limbs for this as the cut beech hold their leaves forever. At my farm no beech, shingle oaks would serve the same purpose, but are nasty to deal with due to their growth pattern and stiffness. Cedar is the best option, and pruning off the bottom 4 ft or so of limbs from cedar trees make great rub trees for deer, so everyone is happy ;) .
I pulled the climax and put up a home-made Chippewa wedge lok bracket, to keep any locals willing to trespass and snoop around from stealing my stand, and pulled the climbers. 5 minutes the first time I sit it and its ready to go.
R
I like the wire idea. I have one stand in particular that has no cover....but the tree is perfect. Got busted in it last year. Could have been the wind though.....the deer were "supposed" to be 10 feet to my left, not my right. Having them decide to pass on the opposite side of the tree than I intended compromised the wind just enough.....I think.
Ryan, that looks great. I like the mesh idea. I can't quite tell in the picture but is that mesh going all the way around the tree and your inside of it?
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/kbetts_01/e92ce9bc2f07570c277e67e310fdd4a9_zpsqecboe0r.jpg)
This is the stand. It's only about 12'. I was pretty sure the canopy would hide my movements. Obviously this was a set up for a time when trees still had leaves. It's pretty useless in the late season. It's still somewhat of a mystery to me as to "why here". There are plenty of places to cross the ditch and stage before moving out of the timber but for some reason this is the spot. Move farther to the left of the pic and you start downhill....wind swirls......up high to the right and closer to the field you get the wind but they don't ever stop in the openings. Couple that with multiple deer standing around waiting for dark and you've opened yourself up to a random wind swirl besides the multiple sets of eyes and ears. I personally don't like being exactly where deer want to be. I want to be on the "to" or "from". Less chance of them hanging around and picking you up.
Jon - as I recall in that one I started at the tree the stand is in, worked it over that stob you see sticking out at 7'oclock if you are in the stand leaning against the tree, around the front, attached to the smaller tree at 12'oclock, then across the back about 1/2 way. Sometimes all the way around, sometimes not depending on the setup and what you have to work with. You need some structure to attach the fence to as its not stiff enough to hold up on its own when you put the cover on. I cover the whole fence thick, and above and below it, weaving in branches or cable tieing them to make a solid screen all the way around. THEN cut shooting holes with pliers and fold down (you can see the folded out/down flaps). It looks like there are thin spots in the cover but those are flaps I cut - the cedar is THICK on there. These flaps help hold the branches below them, give you something to add more to as well. Minimal pruning will then allow you to cut lanes through the cover you added to shoot out of the holes.
kbetts - yeah, those types trees are a pain. Of course you want to hang in multi-trunks, but this happens alot to me too that the right place isn't the right tree. If you want to use the fence you will have to build some "artificial limbs" first - I use treated 2X4's and wire or deck screws depending on the tree and if it is valuable or not. You might even have to wire the butt of the 2X4 to the stand, go behind the stand tree up at an angle, and wire to the main tree, if you see what I mean. Then setup the fencing using the "artificial limbs" for structure. It'll take some work, but you can fix that one up, I've done worse ones....just be SURE its the right spot before you do all the work.....don't ask me how I know :)
R
Sorry for the poor quality, but here is a view of the slice of heaven I chase deer. The property boundaries are the northern field edge, a partial fence along the south separating a waste water spray irrigation site, and two ditches that you can just make out through the timber to the east and west. The road in the middle bisects the property. The smallish field to the middle right we refer to as the "5 acre" field. The smaller clearing just off the field to the southeast was an old hog lot....so that's what we call it. Currently all the fields are corn. The farm house to the right of the road is unoccupied and thus those hedgerows stay somewhat undisturbed. What you can't see is the gradual roll to the terrain that is unique to this farm. Most everywhere around here is flat.
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/kbetts_01/461aceef5b25765c4ee2d73a0c6cea6b_zpscwkw2epm.jpg)
Ryan, I see. That's a great idea. I can see the slots you have cut out. How high up does it go on your waist when you are standing to shoot? kbetts is the tree you are referring to the one back behind the buck and kind of to the right of his nose?
Jon its good cover from the knees up. As long as you don't move your feet around too much you are golden. I generally setup to shoot at 9-10'oclock left for the planned shot as I'm right handed and I keep myself from waist down against the tree, better to hide and much more stable to shoot.
R
Yup, that's it. I ended up hunting the same general spot from a climber right in the middle of the staging area......and yea Ryan, I did put it in a multiple trunked tree. The westerly winds make this place hard to hunt. The big boys always loop the wind before heading to the fields.
Good stuff guys.
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/1E09E1AD-6954-425B-B2B2-C912B980D5A5_zpsyjg5tapx.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/user/jonsimoneau/media/1E09E1AD-6954-425B-B2B2-C912B980D5A5_zpsyjg5tapx.jpg.html)
Here is one that works well for adding cover to the tree. Take some 2 inch PVC and cut it at a 45 degree angle. Drill holes through the bottom down at the angle and run tie wire through the holes. Now you just tie wire it to the tree behind your stand. You can move them around the wire wherever you want them. Just put some pine tree branches in the open ends of the pipe. Here is one I put in a tree I have a stand in. Just gotta add the pine tree boughs.
Good idea, Jon. How long are the PVC sections?
Kevin they are between 7 and 9 inches long to the point. I don't measure it. Just eyeball it. Here is another pic showing where to drill the holes. Works great.
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/DED5F5CD-425D-444B-B7DD-561444B4089B_zpsbpxqvggn.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/user/jonsimoneau/media/DED5F5CD-425D-444B-B7DD-561444B4089B_zpsbpxqvggn.jpg.html)
Thanks for the up-close pic, Jon. Just spray painted for camo?
Kevin yes. Just rattle can primer paint. I use both black and grey. That works well in the Midwestern woods during "prime time" (November).
John, I'm looking at your idea and think it's great. I'm gonna do it but with a slight change. What do you think about cutting slots where you have the holes and then sliding a "ratchet type strap through them to connect them to the tree? It seems this would allow loosening for tree growth and hold more weight than tie wire. You could also slide more brush behind the strap as needed for additional cover. What do you think?
Took the idea right outta my head! I guess great minds think alike!
Good idea, and just in time! I'm cutting my PVC pipe tomorrow.
Im not a whitetail hunter, but I love this hunting thread. It's like an epic choose your own adventure. I cant wait to see where it goes.
Watching all the work that goes into all of this only helps me in my elk pursuits, there's a bunch here that I can apply. And great photos!
Thanks Guys. Keep rolling and shoot straight.
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/9C72B533-A54D-4FA4-9CC4-867E9F8AD599_zpsdyk6qqky.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/user/jonsimoneau/media/9C72B533-A54D-4FA4-9CC4-867E9F8AD599_zpsdyk6qqky.jpg.html)
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/299DE053-96A5-4B15-80F7-A49517BE4E85_zpshzglrtzw.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/user/jonsimoneau/media/299DE053-96A5-4B15-80F7-A49517BE4E85_zpshzglrtzw.jpg.html)
Here is a low ladder stand where I used the PVC trick. This stand is lower than I like. But it had to be this tree. I know this from 4 years of observing deer movement here. In fact one November day I watched a really good 5x5 walk under this tree. Soon another buck with a broken off rack showed up and I witnessed the most violent buck fight I've ever seen. I doubt the lesser buck lived. He was bleeding badly and in bad shape after the whole thing. I was 35 yards away in another tree. I'm dealing with low deer numbers here where you often hunt 7 or 8 days without seeing a single deer so patterns can take a while to emerge. But lots of nice bucks have walked right by this tree during the early November time frame. I had to keep this stand low but was able to hide it well with the PVC trick.
Great thread!
Stand looks good, Jon! Got my PVC cut, drilled, and ready to paint. Hope to "install" some of them this weekend.
Good deal Kevin. Just make sure ha drill the hole for the wire in the right spot. Get the wire good and tight on the tree (use pliers). This way it easily supports the weight of heavy pine tree boughs. Good luck out there guys.
This is a great old thread. I would like to add a lot of guys I know make the mistake of following the deer all season. They find sign "where they have been" and hunt there.
What I mean is don't follow them stay in front of them. Our deer right now are in the soybean fields of the farm I am hunting. I have set stands a week ago for my chosen location to catch them entering them. But for the past week from years of being out there I know in a few weeks the nuts will start to fall and the deer will leave the fields in pursuit of them. I recently have been visiting the nut trees and peering up into them with my bino's to find the ones that will have the most to offer. I found a good spot and am planning to hang two stands on this tree tomorrow. One on either side for the appropriate wind the day I think it is ready.
Stay ahead of them not behind.
Been following this thread, very interesting.
It makes me get all revved up waiting to get started. Going out this weekend to scout and make some preparations...
Kevin, this is just me, and others won't agree, but I sometimes take my chances with those winds...my reasoning is, I would rather have 30 minutes of great hunting in a perfect place than not at all....if I get busted then at least the setup was good and I had a chance...and I think sooner or later that chance has to pay off...
Just my 2.
Good point KentuckyTJ. I'm also learning some of this. For example I seem to be finding that certain trends in certain areas often happen at the same time the following season. It's for this reason that I now look at trail camera pictures as probably being the most useful the following season. As an example I hunt a few really small properties. They don't hold deer year round but they both hold deer at different times of the season. On one of these small properties a few years ago I left a trail camera on a suspected buck travel corridor for the months of October and November. During a time between October 30th through November 10 I had buck movement but more importantly it was daylight movement. I got a stand ready for that spot for the following year. Last year I knew I was not going to be able to hunt that area due to work so I again left a trail camera there during that same period. Same thing. Daylight buck movement on almost exactly the same time period and lots of daylight movement. This corridor is a strip of really thick honeysuckle in an otherwise very open woods. The really interesting thing is my camera showed no buck movement outside of those dates! I'll probably again be hunting another area this season at that time but the information is filled away and I'm certain I'll be able to take advantage of it at some point.
I agree this is a great thread, that gets the blood and mind working , I try to scout some all year but your right, February and March are the best times by far around here...add the fact that the ticks and heat are non existent and it gets way better thanks John
QuoteOriginally posted by Russ Clagett:
Been following this thread, very interesting.
It makes me get all revved up waiting to get started. Going out this weekend to scout and make some preparations...
Kevin, this is just me, and others won't agree, but I sometimes take my chances with those winds...my reasoning is, I would rather have 30 minutes of great hunting in a perfect place than not at all....if I get busted then at least the setup was good and I had a chance...and I think sooner or later that chance has to pay off...
Just my 2.
Thanks for the input, Russ. Out of frustration I've followed that line of thought more than once. Curious as to what others think of that reasoning???
Regarding the wind one thing I'm thinking about and finding is that there are a lot of things regarding the wind and the terrain that can be generally true but you really have to check each stand location to know for sure. As an example, we all know that stands on the shelves on the side of a ridge are often accompanied by inconsistent winds but each situation is different due to the fact that not all terrain is the same. The way I see it, if I find a really good terrain feature that will funnel deer by me during the rut I want to check out how the wind reacts in that specific spot to see if I can pull it off. I now use milkweed pods to do this but some use smoke bombs with good results. Also notice that what is happening on the ground is not necessarily what is happening when you are 16 feet up in the tree so it's best to check it in the stand long before you hunt there. Fun stuff!
Ryan I've got a tree I'm going to get setup soon where it will work prefect to use your mesh idea for the cover. I've had 3 close encounters with good bucks here but the tree is in an area with cattle (not during deer season) so it's pretty open do to their browsing. I hate to do it this late but it's just the way it is so hopefully they will get over my intrusion. This one is already a proven stand that just needs a few final touches to make it produce. Hopefully!
help with terminology could you describe what a header is?
Oops sorry K-Mac. Just noticed this. picture a big ridge running say east to west. Now running down the side of the ridge at a perpendicular angle are normally a bunch of drainages/ditches. The drainages are normally steeper as they get towards the bottom. Back up near the top of the ridge those drainages taper off and deer like to walk around them rather than the up and down of the drainages themselves. This is the "header". Kinda hard for me to explain but I hope that helps.
thanks that's kinda what I had pictured in my head just not use to the term and wanted to make sure.
Jon,
I am assuming you and the others have smart phones, get The Weather Channel app on your phone, and set your the closest neighborhood, town, store/gas stop (one that will appear on a map) as one of your favorite locations, it will give your daily weather report and wind directions. Record on a calendar and your set.
Sounds like the deer prefer the same elevation, and visibility by following the terrain. If they drop down into a ravine, they loose both sight and smell.
Can't begin to tell you how often I thought of this thread during the past 3 months while sitting on stand and wondered how the various stand locations detailed in different posts played out for you guys.
I stumbled into a prime location in early September...creek bottom, deer were funneled by terrain features up against a high bank just before a ridge saddle which allowed them to short cut a bend in the creek. Closer inspection revealed a licking branch which later on hung over a scrape. Best of all any southerly wind was very reliable at this location. On October 24 I arrowed my best buck to date during an evening sit.
Found another ridge crossing by studying google earth. Trail cameras confirmed my suspicions that it was a buck travel corridor, but my tag was filled before I got a chance to hunt it.
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that this thread provided some of the inspiration to get out there and persist until I found these locations.
Best of all, I've already got 2 more new locations to get set up this spring.
How'd you all do? I'm all ears...
No updates???
Just saw a post on another site by Jon, seems things worked out! I hope he posts some pics and details.
That stand didn't work out this year for me - the farmer never got around to planting the field due to the wet spring/summer, so instead of soybeans I had 8 ft tall ragweed :)
I DID shoot a 3 1/2 yr old on the same travel pattern in the timber off of the right side of the map, in the bottom on a crossing, about 3-400 yards from that stand, travelling the same pattern in reverse - ie. from E towards W. Sat the stand I took the photos of twice and could have shot deer from it both times, just not getting the buck travel there as normal due to lack of crops......next year I'm planting the fingers of ag myself as food plots...so the worm may turn, as they say!
R
Thanks, Ryan.
We bow hunters are are an optimistic bunch aren't we. The never ending plans to fine tune things for next year are at least half the fun!
Hey guys. Sorry. Been busy! The header stand that I spoke of here worked out fantastic. Unfortunately I only got to hunt it one day due to wind direction. But the one day I sat there was great. I sat all day and saw 9 deer that day during the peak of the rut. Every single one of them walked directly underneath me and on the same trail. 5 of them were bucks and I could have killed any of them had I wanted to. Now when you see 9 deer and everyone of them ends up right underneath you well....it's a damn good feeling! As I sat there that day I realized that I would not have been able to figure out this stand had I tried to scout it during the summer or even during season. March is the time to do it! That stand is not only placed correctly but I also did some hinge cutting to further route the deer where I wanted them to walk. I also blocked the trails I didn't want them on. The access to the tree is perfect. As long as I can keep permission on the property I know I'm going to kill a big one out of that tree!
Towards the end of my hunt on almost the last day I killed a nice buck out of another stand that I also scouted out this past March. He wasn't a monster or anything but a nice 5x4 and he was the best buck I saw in almost 10 days of hard hunting. This stand also worked out perfectly just like I hoped. I'll try to explain the situation with this stand but it's a little difficult to explain without pics.
Basically this stand was placed in a ravine setting that ran through a cattle pasture. Picture a ravine running east to west through otherwise open cattle pasture. The ravine was not very wide but it is very steep. Almost like a gorge. At the west end of the ravine is a picked corn field. On the east end is the main chunk of woods. This is hilly terrain and the deer use this ravine to travel through the otherwise open pasture to the field at the end.
Now, in the center of this ravine is a "bowl". I guess a way to describe the situation is picture a long narrow eliptical shaped ravine with a circular shaped bowl in the bottom. The bowl is a spot where in previous years I had seen bucks cruise through during the rut.
Obviously setting up in the bowl won't work because of swirling winds. So instead I had setup stands towards the top of the ravine. You know how there is always a trail on the side hill about 1/3 down from the top? I had stands setup on these locations near where the bucks would congregate in the bowl.
I had moved stands around the area 3 or 4 times but was always getting busted either due to swirling winds or access to the tree.
To make matters worse, no matter what side of the ravine I setup on, the bucks would invariably walk the other side of it!
It makes sense when you think about it. If I setup on the south side of the east/west running ravine, with the wind in my face, the buck would always walk on the other side out of range. This way he can walk the trail that is 1/3 down from the top with the wind coming over the top of the lip while he can also easily see down into the bottom.
So, after reading about the stand that Ryan Rothhaar had setup with the wind at his back, a light went off in my head. The answer to my situation was so simple yet it never occurred to me. I needed to setup near the top of the ravine but I actually needed the wind at my back! This way the deer would have with wind in their favor which would encourage them to walk on my side of the ravine. So I hung the stand up at the top way above the trail and right near the bowl. The idea was that even though my wind was coming from behind me, I was high enough to keep it up above the "lip" and the swirling that happens down below. I gotta say it feels weird to setup with the wind at my back but I had to try it.
It worked perfectly. The first day I sat the stand was the day before Veterans Day. I sat all day. I passed up easy shots at 3 1.5 year old bucks that never had a clue I was there. All 3 came through the bowl and then continued past me at 15 yards or less. They were far enough below me that my wind just blew right over the top of them. And I was far enough above the lip of the ravine to prevent swirling winds. Bingo. I now knew it was only a matter of time.
With the winds forecast to be the same on Veterans Day and the fact that I did not spook any deer I decided to go ahead and plan for another all day sit in the tree. On Veterans Day I snuck in early. I altered my access route a little because I knew the deer were in the picked cornfield and I did not want to blow them out. Some does came through before it was even light enough to shoot. They came from the field and walked past me towards the main bedding cover.
After it got light I just kept watching towards the direction of the field which was a couple hundred yards off to the west. This was my 9th day of a 10 day hunt.
Somewhere around 9:00 I saw this buck coming. He was still 75 yards away when I became certain he would walk right underneath me. As he got closer he hit an area where I had hinge cut some trees to move the deer my way and he walked right into the trap. It was a steep shot but only about 8 or 9 yards away. My arrow went clean through and he only went about 40 yards before I saw him go down. Like I said he is not a monster or anything especially for the Midwest but he was the best buck I saw in almost 10 hard days of hunting. The fact that he followed the script that I had written to a T made the whole thing that much more satisfying!
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/5D743F3A-9840-4589-9527-E6FFAAF5329B_zpsdk7nv2ry.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/user/jonsimoneau/media/5D743F3A-9840-4589-9527-E6FFAAF5329B_zpsdk7nv2ry.jpg.html)
Kevin, that is awesome! Sounds like one hell of a setup! Show us a pic of your buck! Congrats!
Great story and great deer, Jon!!! Made me feel like I was right there. Thanks for sharing.
I will see what I can do about posting a picture. I'm not sure how to post them to this site.
That's a great buck and well earned! Thanks for sharing the journey that led to this harvest. Well done...
Congrats Jon
Vey nice buck! ...even for the Illinois he's not bad at all.
Awesome Jon!
I've really enjoyed following this thread. Congrats Jon on your great descriptions of your area and for harvesting your nice buck! :thumbsup:
Bernie
Hey, Jon, he's a dandy, congrats! This has been a great thread, good cross fertilization of ideas. So often we get stuck in what we "know", its great to get different perspectives. One thing that guys lose sight of so often is that we are hunting animals that move by instinct, path of least resistance (ie laziness) and some learned response (particularly areas of learned safety)....but the deer, even "old smart ones" don't REASON like people can (notice I didn't say like people DO...as that can be debatable sometimes ;) ). Keep that in mind, keep your eyes open, don't overthink yourself and it starts to make more and more sense!
Would that deer be a 3 1/2 or a 4 1/2 in your area?
R
I agree Ryan. Hopefully we can keep this thread going while we all plan for next season. I think the buck is a 3 1/2 year old. I shot him south of where I live and the deer down there seem to take an extra year to "catch up" so to speak but that's my guess. I'll probably send a tooth in just for perspective but I really don't think he's older than that.
Yeah, I know what you mean about areas with the deer a year behind, that's what my place in Mo is like compared to here..average 3 1/2 there is a 110-120 inch deer, your buck would probably be 4 1/2 there based on the mass, that's why I asked. 4 1/2's and better are great.... but the November woods sure would be a lot more boring without the randy 3 1/2's around to make mistakes :)
R
Congradulations Jon-Hap
Congrats John.
I have an area as well for some reason when the wind blows, its usually opposite from forecasted unless you get up to the first shelf, then its back to forecasted direction.
Doesn't matter though, no deer there anyhow. lol I did see a doe this year, first deer I have seen bow hunting in about 30 sits.
I love the information on this thread. Its so refreshing to see instead of the usual equipment discussions. Not that I hate those threads, I love diversity. :archer:
Congrats! Great buck and great story!
Yea. You kinda got me curious Ryan. The deer down there are smaller in body and everything than the ones where I live. But there are a lot more of them and more of them get a little age on them. I'll send in a tooth so that I know what I'm looking at in future seasons.
Kevin Hansen, email me a pic of your buck at jonsimoneau@hotmail.com and I'll post it for ya!
What a great thread. I've learned a lot.. and have much more to learn! I've got a couple questions for you Jon...
Sounds like you primarily have the rut in mind when you pic your spots (at least the ones described here). Do you save the spots just for the rut or do you hunt them in Oct. and December as well?
And if you do hunt these spots in October, do you take does from them as well? Jon you described passing on does, which I totally get because its the rut and your buck hunting. But do you avoid shooting does in an area where you are focused on bucks?
Nice buck Jon!
Hi Tim. In this situation, I was choosing rut hunting spots. This property is 4 hours away from my house so I mostly am only able to get there during my vacation which I try to take during November. When I'm hunting near my house though I have gotten to where I rarely hunt the same stand more than 3 times per season. A lot of them don't even get hunted for whatever reason. I've been laying off the does because our deer numbers have decreased so much in the last 10 years.
Here is the buck Kevin shot. What a beauty!
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/E44EEAB3-54E4-4594-821C-EBEEDBA39E66_zpsrai5ah2l.jpg) (http://s111.photobucket.com/user/jonsimoneau/media/E44EEAB3-54E4-4594-821C-EBEEDBA39E66_zpsrai5ah2l.jpg.html)
Great thread Jon and a beautiful buck you and Kevin have taken.
Terrific thread!!
I checked back beginning of December and saw nothing. :dunno:
Just checked back again today!!
:shaka:
Congrats!!
I especially enjoyed your discussion about "headers." For whatever reason, I seem to discount them. But, I had a very productive spot years back, in the middle of the woods, and always wondered exactly why deer converged through that area. Well, a big part was a header 100 yards to the east of the bench I hunted. Also, I believe was the structure of the dense cover on one side and blow down on the other which funneled the deer.
Anyway, I thrilled you got a nice buck.
Thanks guys. Our season is wrapping up here. I'll be out this Feb/March scouting more and hoping to setup the situation for next season. Best of luck guys.
Great thread. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thanks guys.
I look forward to this thread reviving later this spring as we get out and begin scouting again in earnest... Can't wait!
Reviving one of my favorite threads...
I've got a couple of new spots scouted and stands hung. One of my new spots is a header location located near the top of a steep cedar covered ridge. Haven't had a chance to hunt it yet, but am hoping the wind is favorable this coming weekend. Need a wind with a strong westerly tilt to hunt here undetected. My stand is hung in a group of 4 cedar trees and has great background cover.
Another new stand is a true funnel location. Extremely steep hill to the south with hinge-cut trees for 100 yards up the slope to further funnel deer movement. To the north and west is a 6' high woven wire fence. My stand sits against a cluster of 4 oak trees growing right in the fence line. I need a southerly or westerly wind to hunt the stand.
Deer numbers are down due to EHD, but my hopes are still high.
How about the rest of you???
Got out last night to check a stand, for the first time this year. I was mildly surprised to find a scrape in close proximity to the stand. It was larger than a bushel basket, about twenty feet from a wick that I had left out last year.
Think I'll hunt it Friday if things work out. I saw quite a few deer out feeding as well, at sundown.
Now I have a stand in the old ratchet strap tree marked "S" on my map on pg 3 :)
Discussion below - Refer to my map on pg 3 of this thread....and see how the best laid plans change in a year :eek:
The "B" stand I was talking about there didn't pan out because 1. the farmer didn't plant the field last year and 2. it's too close to the bedding (I was kind of afraid of that).
Subsequently the farmer bailed on his contract (all talk, no action there) and I'm doing the food myself - 3 acres + about an acre on the other side of the farm - and let the other 15 or so he was farming go back to weeds/brush and nastiness (ie deer cover). I mudded some beans into that field finger in may (2 acres), and the finger across the drainage (1 acre). They didn't do much between the deer and may/june drought. I broadcast 400 lbs of oats on those 3 acres in early September and they took off, so I've got good feed in there now ;)
I also changed things with respect to the old logging road coming in from the southeast....last spring I did some chainsaw work and now the whole area from the S end of that finger in the map around to "S" stand is 6-8 acres of thick hinge cut and felled trees - its a real mess in there. I cut off the old logging road where it came up the hill from the SE and made it come out 15 yards south of the "S" stand. Then I drove my quad with the sprayer on the back all the way from the new "old logging road" entry south of "S" down to the bottom of the main drainage (not shown) to the southeast...like 400 yards in. I turned around there, and sprayed hot roundup all the way back up the logging road to the new exit south of "S". This was in May, I was in there snooping around a couple weeks ago and that logging road is still clear and open from the herbicide (the only opening thru much of the blackberry regrowth from the timber stand improvement) - and a heavily used deer trail. The "new trail" behind my stand and down the hill - this is a deer trail, not logging road - is also heavily used and my primary stand on the whole farm is a new ladder stand I put up on that trail where it crosses a nasty drainage down in there that really pinches the deer movement.
This timber stand work, and moving the logging road changed the whole deal - now with the undergrowth and new growth the "S" stand tree is doable from a cover perspective, and I can shoot both the "new trail" and the moved logging road without having to be as close to the bedding as the "B" stand.
And this is just one situation of about a dozen on the place I'm trying to work out (this might be the easiest/shortest to describe) :)
I know the landowner real well and he and lets me pretty much do what I want in there.
Love the chess game!
R
GREAT info, Ryan! Thanks for sharing. The landowner sounds like a great guy. Please keep us posted on how things play out this fall. I agree, Love the chess game!
Good stuff guys. I too did a ton of scouting this past spring and tweaking things to hopefully up my odds. I'll post some better info when I get a little time.