Post by Decatur on Jul 25, 2006 11:12:44 GMT -5
Deer Stand Hunting
by Corey Wiktor
07/18/06 Whitetails.cm
Out of all the many strategies to hunt, deer stand hunting is perhaps the most productive. It stands to reason for the stand hunter is sitting motionless and thus is avoiding detection through movement.
If the stand hunter has played his or her cards right they will be scent free, and this makes the stand hunter a most lethal hunter when it comes to whitetail deer.
Playing the wind for the stand hunter will be a huge factor in his success. It goes without saying that a downwind or crosswind location is custom made for a stand hunter in avoiding detection of the deer’s sensitive nose.
Location is everything, and good locations are primary food sources, trails, funnels, saddles, edge habitat and benches. Each has its own advantage and set of rules for hunting the location successfully.
PRIMARY FOOD SOURCES
Pre-scout these areas and find the fields where the deer are feeding. There is a trail that leads from the bedding area to the food source.
The best evening stand would be near the field while the best morning stand will be near the bedding area. One note of caution do not hunt in the bedding area or frequent the stand too much as you may risk completely moving the deer out of the bedding area. Remember the bedding area is an area where the deer think they are safe.
TRAILS
Playing the wind on trails is a big factor. Bends in the trails are great places to ambush whitetails. Pick the side of the trail where the wind is in your favor and be sure to have lanes cut so you can clearly and cleanly get a shot off.
FUNNELS
Funnels are bottlenecks that are formed where open fields, lakes, rivers and other obstacles force deer into a narrow area of cover. Set up your stand to over look these areas. Funnels are very active areas for whitetails during hunting season. Hunting pressure can keep deer moving all throughout the day through these areas giving the hunter many possible opportunities for a shot. Resist the temptation to leave your stand favoring staying on stand all day.
EDGE HABITAT
The whitetail is an edge animal in that he inhabits the edges of cover. It may be the edge between a forest and a field. These are prime areas for whitetail to move along and also to set up scrape areas.
For and evening hunt set your stand up on the edge of fields where deer may be feeding. IF you are hunting in the middle of the day or morning, set your stand up near the deer’s bedding area, but not too close. Remember a deer’s bedding area is where he feels safe, you do not want to bump him too many times near the area where he feels secure or he may move from the area all together.
SADDLES
Saddles are great areas to ambush deer because they like to travel between ridges on the easiest route there is while still utilizing cover. Set up over a saddle and you may well catch several deer using it as an escape route during times of heavy hunting pressure. Saddles are hot places to hunt on opening day of firearm deer season especially.
BENCHES
These shelves that lie just below a ridge top are prime areas for deer to bed, feed and make scrapes. These areas are also used as travel routes. Pay attention how wind currents are in these areas when you hunt them. These areas are also good when there is a lot of hunting pressure in the woods.
STAND HUNTING TIPS-
Always play the wind staying downwind or cross wind of your quarry. Camo your face in dark shades and stay in areas where you are silhouetted.
Always have clear shooting lanes prepared prior to your hunt.
When on the ground keep the immediate area clean of leaves and twigs to avoid making undue noise.
Never over hunt your stand. Give the stand times of rest in between hunts. Two days ideally is the maximum amount of time you should be hunting from a stand before letting it rest.
Stay on stand as long as possible, with all day being a goal. If you simply cannot sit all day pay close attention when leaving and approaching your stand that you do not let the deer pattern your movements.
Never hunt an elevated stand without a harness that is safe and rated for your weight.
by Corey Wiktor
07/18/06 Whitetails.cm
Out of all the many strategies to hunt, deer stand hunting is perhaps the most productive. It stands to reason for the stand hunter is sitting motionless and thus is avoiding detection through movement.
If the stand hunter has played his or her cards right they will be scent free, and this makes the stand hunter a most lethal hunter when it comes to whitetail deer.
Playing the wind for the stand hunter will be a huge factor in his success. It goes without saying that a downwind or crosswind location is custom made for a stand hunter in avoiding detection of the deer’s sensitive nose.
Location is everything, and good locations are primary food sources, trails, funnels, saddles, edge habitat and benches. Each has its own advantage and set of rules for hunting the location successfully.
PRIMARY FOOD SOURCES
Pre-scout these areas and find the fields where the deer are feeding. There is a trail that leads from the bedding area to the food source.
The best evening stand would be near the field while the best morning stand will be near the bedding area. One note of caution do not hunt in the bedding area or frequent the stand too much as you may risk completely moving the deer out of the bedding area. Remember the bedding area is an area where the deer think they are safe.
TRAILS
Playing the wind on trails is a big factor. Bends in the trails are great places to ambush whitetails. Pick the side of the trail where the wind is in your favor and be sure to have lanes cut so you can clearly and cleanly get a shot off.
FUNNELS
Funnels are bottlenecks that are formed where open fields, lakes, rivers and other obstacles force deer into a narrow area of cover. Set up your stand to over look these areas. Funnels are very active areas for whitetails during hunting season. Hunting pressure can keep deer moving all throughout the day through these areas giving the hunter many possible opportunities for a shot. Resist the temptation to leave your stand favoring staying on stand all day.
EDGE HABITAT
The whitetail is an edge animal in that he inhabits the edges of cover. It may be the edge between a forest and a field. These are prime areas for whitetail to move along and also to set up scrape areas.
For and evening hunt set your stand up on the edge of fields where deer may be feeding. IF you are hunting in the middle of the day or morning, set your stand up near the deer’s bedding area, but not too close. Remember a deer’s bedding area is where he feels safe, you do not want to bump him too many times near the area where he feels secure or he may move from the area all together.
SADDLES
Saddles are great areas to ambush deer because they like to travel between ridges on the easiest route there is while still utilizing cover. Set up over a saddle and you may well catch several deer using it as an escape route during times of heavy hunting pressure. Saddles are hot places to hunt on opening day of firearm deer season especially.
BENCHES
These shelves that lie just below a ridge top are prime areas for deer to bed, feed and make scrapes. These areas are also used as travel routes. Pay attention how wind currents are in these areas when you hunt them. These areas are also good when there is a lot of hunting pressure in the woods.
STAND HUNTING TIPS-
Always play the wind staying downwind or cross wind of your quarry. Camo your face in dark shades and stay in areas where you are silhouetted.
Always have clear shooting lanes prepared prior to your hunt.
When on the ground keep the immediate area clean of leaves and twigs to avoid making undue noise.
Never over hunt your stand. Give the stand times of rest in between hunts. Two days ideally is the maximum amount of time you should be hunting from a stand before letting it rest.
Stay on stand as long as possible, with all day being a goal. If you simply cannot sit all day pay close attention when leaving and approaching your stand that you do not let the deer pattern your movements.
Never hunt an elevated stand without a harness that is safe and rated for your weight.
