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Post by bartiks on Nov 14, 2019 23:49:46 GMT -5
Ok, here is the issue that I'm faced with right now. Looking at the weather on Saturday morning with the win coming from the ENE the only way that I can scent free get to my spot is I have to walk around 1,800' across an open field. That poses a problem with the full moon and all, thinking that if any deer are out in the fields which I'm suspecting them to be they will see me and make all kinds of a ruckus letting that half of the county know.
My other option is walking along a lake then thru some briars, tall grass and the like which the deer like to bed down in to get to my spot, however this will leave a scent trail walking in until I can cut the wind cross ways. Thoughts? Going to post pics.
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Post by bartiks on Nov 14, 2019 23:59:47 GMT -5
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Post by esshup on Nov 15, 2019 0:02:28 GMT -5
I believe it all depends on the particular area. IF it's an area that sees frequent human traffic, the deer don't care. I hunt a property where the landowners wife likes to walk the trails that are cut in the woods, and I've watched her walk by (she doesn't pay much attention to anything that isn't on the trail) and deer have walked down the same trail or crossed that trail less than 1/2 hour later and didn't even change their gate or stop and sniff.
Now if it's an area that has little human activity, I'd try to do as much scent control as possible, then take the shortest, quickest route to the tree. If the deer are out in the field eating or foraging, then how many will be in the bedding area?
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Post by bartiks on Nov 15, 2019 0:08:23 GMT -5
The left route will blown my scent out across open field which shouldn't affect me to much, the right route will provide a little cover however will pretty much blanket the whole area with my scent. The wind reports for saturday in the are are a ENE wind.
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Post by Huntnfreak on Nov 15, 2019 5:16:06 GMT -5
I would definitely take my chances and walk across the open field instead of scenting up what appears to be a bedding area....IMO. Good Luck!!
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Post by bartiks on Nov 15, 2019 5:59:37 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I think that I will take my chance going out across the field. I may try to hug the wood line, to hide my silhouette. Then again if anything is right inside the woods then I'll be sunk, second thought I will try to take it low away from the woods and fingers crossed won't spook anything. And yes from what I can tell to the northern end of the picture before the small field it does appear to be a bedding area. It is very, very thick in there. Can't see 5 yards and it's all that autumn olive or russian olive stuff. Thick up top but down around 3 feet or so it opens up.
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Post by duff on Nov 15, 2019 6:16:29 GMT -5
Walk in at shooting light through the field. If you see the right one...shoot it.
I hunt 2 places. 1st right behind my house and second in middle of big woods. Last weekend my buddy walked down same trail in the big woods. I had deer come up same trail both of us walked as well come from his direction. Behind my house they are flooded with noise and human scent. Some days they are super spooked others I think they could eat out of my hands.
Point is dont overthink it. They will do what you dont expect most times.
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Post by bartiks on Nov 15, 2019 6:36:11 GMT -5
I can honestly say I've never walked in at shooting light. I've always "prided" myself at being in the stand before 6, most of the time by 5:45. That way I can hear them coming in the woods and then look for them during light. In your opinion would you walk the wood line to help break up your silhouette? And you are right I am overthinking it. I guess just have the jitters, first time hunting in several years.
Oh I guess I need to add something. I'm hunting with a shot gun iron sights.
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Post by duff on Nov 15, 2019 7:25:30 GMT -5
Yes hug the tree line. Slow and steady. Calling for fog in central part of the state. That means low wind and quiet. Normal shooting light may be later than normal too.
Good luck
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Post by featherduster on Nov 15, 2019 7:31:46 GMT -5
Don't over think it.
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Post by bartiks on Nov 15, 2019 7:57:36 GMT -5
Thanks guys, always appreciate your input.
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Post by scrobertson on Nov 15, 2019 9:54:43 GMT -5
Since your going in so early and with the full moon you should be able to navigate with no flashlight. But I've had deer bust me over 200 yrs away on full moon mornings walking in. I've also had bucks come running up to me within 20 yrds in low light. As previously stated dont overthink it. This time of year bucks act different. Go out and enjoy the fact you get to hunt. My thinking has always been the deer are in the fields and not in the woods so I go in through the woods most times.
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Post by chewbacca on Nov 15, 2019 13:51:05 GMT -5
Either way it is a risk. However, my belief the past several years has been to try and disturb the timber/woods as little as possible. I choose the path that allows me to walk through the woods as little as possible. Yes, there is a possibility of deer being in the field. However, they are likely to run to the woods you are hunting and feel safe again. If you bump deer inside the woods they are likely fleeing and heading to the next block or next patch of woods. I would take the open field route and play the wind all at the same time.
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Post by beermaker on Nov 15, 2019 17:07:41 GMT -5
I'm assuming that neighboring properties will be hunted as well.
My philosophy on the opening day of firearms is, that after the first 15 minutes on shooting light (not necessarily legal), all bets are off. Forget about scouting, patterns, past observations, etc. I'd get in the easiest way possible and see what happens.
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Post by firstwd on Nov 15, 2019 19:49:44 GMT -5
My path too will be east to west across an open field. I'm taking the ATV and driving right down the middle. Parking in a narrow point in the treeline on a ridge, then walking the last 200 yards to the stand on the edge of the bedding thicket.
I'll be in the stand by 6. Anything in the field will go I to the woods. Anything I push out of the woods that early will get pushed back when the hunters on the neighboring property show up 30 to 45 minutes later. I can see them driving down the road and parking their trucks from the stand.
Sometimes it's not a bad thing to have late arriving neighboring hunters.
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