Tactics for getting a deer to stop in a shooting lane

[NittanyRider]

I read Barry Wensel's "Treestand Tips" article and was intrigued by the "Bowling for Bucks" tactic (spray a osage orange, apple, etc with some kind of scent and roll it across the trail, away from your stand).  I was wondering what other non-audible tactics you all use to get deer to stop in a shooting lane?

Last year I tried grunting at a passing buck, but it screwed up my shot process. I wound up releasing my arrow too early       and I missed the deer.    

Since then, I've tried adding a grunt/bleat to my shooting practice, but most of the time it works like a trigger and causes an early release.  The bottom line is that I have zero confidence in my shot if I make any kind of noise during the process, so I'm looking for other ideas.

If you use scents, what gets bucks and does to stop and take a sniff?

Thanks, David

[Wheels2]

Clear a spot down to dirt and put a few drops of scent in it.

[ChuckC]

At one spot, I didn't want to put MY scent into the trail in front of my stand, so from the stand, I tossed a piece of monofilament fishing line, tied to a 1/2 oz or so sinker out and over some brush just beyond the trail. Tied the other end to a branch near my stand.  

Then when I want to add scent for a stopper, I would slide a wad of tissue, or cotton or a tampon, with just a bit of deer or attractant scent on it, and attached to a paper clip, down the string.

Play the game right and with a good slope on the string, you can send the scent out fairly far, AND, if you really want the hassle, put a bit of weight on the scent rag, tie a light mono string to it, and you can retrieve it too, without adding your scent to the trail.

You can soak wooden 1" or smaller balls (or squares) with scent and toss them, but the slider thing keeps the scent higher.
ChuckC

[D.J. Carr]

I'm done with stopping deer with a grunt or audible sound as well.  I think it puts deer at too much of an alert.  I started spraying some deer dander in areas I expect shots. I can't tell you if it works 100% yet, but Sat, and Sun I had doe and small buck stopping in the right spots.

[RAGHORN 3]

Interesting thread... Cool ideas Mr. ChuckC...  

[Charlie Lamb]

I usually just kick the leaves away down to bare earth so the scent of it blows toward the trail where I want the deer to stop. It works.

[sweeney3]

Shoot your blunt practice arrow right where you want deer to stop.  When they reach down to sniff it...

A variant is to shoot a squirrel in your chosen spot.

[sidebuster]

If you live in a state that allows baiting put some corn or  food in the shooting lane.  Putting a scent on the ground or food on the ground (if your state allows) it is the same thing no difference IMO

[2bird]

I take a little jar of peanut butter out with me. When i'm in the stand I snap off a small twig and get a glob of peanut butter on it and throw it where I want deer to stop.

[NittanyRider]

Thanks for your help, guys!  ChuckC - I love the "deer fishing" idea!  Charlie Lamb - do you add any kind of scent (e.g. doe urine) to the bare ground?  Also, would this spot be off trail and on the up wind side?

Thanks again!

[Rod in SC]

Put a few old golf balls in your pouch and when you get up in the tree pick your shooting lanes.  Spray the golf ball down with whatever scent you have and toss it out in to the lanes.  You can also stick a strip of moleskin or velcro on the ball to help hold more scent and a strip of reflective tape to help you find the balls in the dark.  You can get a bag of old shag balls cheap.

[TRAD101]

whenever possible I like to set up a stand on a
trail at the edge of the woods, I find deer like to stop and look around a bit before exiting, especially into an open field like alfalfa, and
their attention is more on where there going not
where they have been. also set up where two trails intersect, they will often times stop at the intersection. if a deer is within visual range
I never make a sound.

[Charlie Lamb]

You don't have to put scent in the "mock" scrape. The smell of the fresh dirt is enough usually. Yes, put it upwind of the spot you want the deer to stop. Not to far as they are likely to go investigate...if you wait too long.

[JoeM]

I like to use tarsals glands I collect  from harvested deer, mine or my buddies.  I don't trust commercials scents, I have never had a deer booger at a real tarsal.