How do you do it ?

[ChuckC]

It is that time of the year.   Some of us are gonna be out hunting as much as possible.  There will be "dark to dark" hunts aplenty.

How do YOU get thru a dark to dark hunt and get back up to do it the next day.

Any hints on what to do, what to think, what to bring.  Any "comfort" tips.

ChuckC      

[ishiwannabe]

Food, your body needs it to stay warm. A thermos of your favorite hot beverage goes a long way too...

Walk in lightly dressed, and dress at your stand. It will prevent overheating and sweating.

I know some friends bring abook to read...I dont, feel like I will miss something.

[Pinecone]

I've done a bunch of them and I have found that my tolerance is three days before I need a break.  The way I do it is the followng:

1.  Use a ground blind.
2.  Dress appropriately in layers of wool and use hand/foot warmers.
3.  Bring food and water (thermos of hot tea if its really cold).
4.  Bring a good book.
5.  Bring a chair cushion.
6.  Use a lighter poundage bow so as to insure effortless draw when cold and stiff.
7.  Kill one early so that I can go back home!!!

Claudia        

[bowmaster12]

hey chuck for me it is a mind set, have to prepair my mind the night before to get myself ready for a dark to dark sit. For whats in my pack i usually bring 3 sandwiches couple bottels of someting to drink (the empty bottles come in handy later) bite size candy bars for a snack help pass the time. sit tight and stay alret.  Oh yeah tp might be a good idea too good luck!

[joevan125]

The only times i have spent all day in my stand was on a canada whitetail hunt. One year i killed out on the 6th day after spending 10 hrs a day on stand. The very best thing i have found to help on these all day hunts is to buy one of those doughnuts that people use to sit on after surgey. Dont laugh those things can make a all day sit very comfortable, it takes a lot of pressure of the bottom of your thighs and feels oh so good on your back side. Trust me on this and get yourself one.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Good call on the butt donut.

I've tried it and cannot do it. More power to you guys who can stay on stand all day long.

Bisch

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I'll sit in a blind all day from time to time. I'll end kicking back and taking a nap before it's over, sure is peaceful in the woods but I often wonder how many times the big boy walked right by while I snoozing    Oh well it was a nice nap LOL. And what all the guys and gals suggest is good to.

[Earl Jeff]

i've done it before and finally realized that i'm not haveing fun. so i don't do it.

[JSimon]

Originally posted by Earl Jeff:
i've done it before and finally realized that i'm not haveing fun. so i don't do it.

I agree. I'll still sit all day a couple of times a year during the rut, but find myself questioning whether I'm having fun. I get burned out after about 2 all-dayers. I could easily "hunt" all day, but I have a hard time sitting in the same tree stand all day. I do want to hunt mid-day more this year but I may head to a stand mid-morning and either stay till dark or switch stands around 3:00 or so.

Food and water is a key for me. If nothing else it gives you something to look forward to. It's twice as hard to sit there when I'm starving.

[Plumber]

5 hour energy its that stuff in a little red bottle .It makes me tack sharp.needless to say you should eat an sleep right as well.there is no cure for old when your done your done.the last 2 yrs have really been tough for me.taking those 2 mile hikes through the marsh is wearin my butt out.you can buy that stuff at 7-11 or anyother store.Ican only hunt like this3-4 times a year during peek rut.

[ChuckC]

Claudia,  I like idea number 7.  Unfortunately, this year is not working out that way.
ChuckC

[ron w]

I can do all day but not 2 days in a row,I find myself to enjoy half day sits. Dawn till noon, noon till dusk, and sometimes 10 till 4. Pine cone said it best ...get it done early..lol.Alot depends on the weather, if its mild and dry its alot easier to stay longer.

[wtpops]

Dark to darks are no problem for me. I work out 5 times a week, weights, running, yoga and cardio. This lets me walk the 2 to 10 miles a day depending on the area I hunt. Short sleeve on first then two or three long sleeves, on real cold mourning maybe a jacket but I will have to carry it later when it reaches 75 to 80. Man it's a pain to hunt these California hogs in this California weather.        

O and a nice nap under a big Oak tree about noon helps a lot  

[ChuckC]

Rick (wtpops),  I guess I was unclear.  Dark to dark. . .  in a tree   or in a ground blind.   Sitting,  not moving a muscle  hardly breathing. .   OK OK   you can move a little and you can breathe.  

It is tough to do.
ChuckC

[ChuckC]

Claudia,  You like ground blinds and have experiene with them.  Please,  do you bring and use some sort of ground cover ?  A blanket or piece of carpet ?  Does that help keep the thing warmer and quieter ?

To all. .   how do you handle. .   well . .   you know. .  bodily functions ?  Do you carry bottles or go run for a tree far away ?  or what ?  or even just let er go right off the treestand ?
ChuckC

[reddogge]

I don't do it.  Last year I did 7 hours in a ground blind but that's about it.  Usually we do daylight to 11:00, get lunch and a nap, and then 3 to dark.  I carry an old coffee creamer bottle with me for those duties.

[joevan125]

I always use a 20 ounce Dr Pepper bottle. I did get them mixed up one time and let me tell you that was no fun at all.  

[ChristopherO]

I wouldn't have admitted that!

[Traditional-Archer]

Hunt an area you don't have to be there at first light, sneak in hunt all day sneak out works for me. If I'm hunting a scrape I hunt early you never know when MR. Big will show up. If on stand I like my Viper for all day sits, My Lone wolf for half day mid day hunts. To me the tree stand is key when stand hunting. My viper I could fall asleep and feel perfectly safe, all though I wouldn't recommend anyone falling asleep in a stand, tied off or not. Not because I would fall out of bed, but just in case you would sleep walk that would not be good.