I hunt a tree I named "the frustration tree" because we had so much trouble finding it in the daylight much less at night. It's in some fairly thick stuff and looks different from every direction you come into it. Hard to explain but at night the area looks nothing like in the daytime. The tree also got that name because I can't seem to kill anything out of it. I have had several close calls on big deer and I mean CLOSE CALLS, and have yet to kill a deer out of it. I've been doing this for 45 years and never had a tree quite like it.
If you've never killed a deer out of it, I'd be finding a different tree. Maybe in same area. Might bring you some luck!
My suggestion of learning your route to your stand instead of relying on some kind of markers is a tip to help others. Putting tacks/tape to mark your route also tells the hunting world where your stand location is. I like to keep things like that a secret. The best bet is to have physical features to help you recognize where you are in the dark. Like I have a fallen tree that tells me where to cut in from a power line to my little trail to my stand. Places where I need to make some kind of a turn in the woods are marked with branches configured in a certain way that only I would recognize them. Learn where certain trees are positioned along your route during the day to help you with entries in the dark. I wasn't trying to sound condescending, just suggesting that you'll be a better hunter if you learn your woods, and how to negotiate them without the help of markers that could easily be removed by somebody else being spiteful. And yes, I hunt thick stuff without "field edges".
I hunt private property. Not that thieves read the signs and dont trespass but we have no stand thieves,,,, hope I didn't jinx myself. But being on been on this lease 7 years, I'm pretty much on remote control except on a foggy morning. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
To jump off of Skywalker, Before and after leaf fall, I rake the path to my stand once I get close, if its on private a hundred yards out, on public maybe 50 yards or less, makes for a soundless approach and there are no worries about missing your tree
I love how so many people jump in and tell you that you must spend all this time in your woods getting to know it. In my opinion that is horrible advise. I too hunt very thick woods with mostly flat terrain. it great hunting, mostly because it is thick and the fact that I don't spend a ton of time walking around and making the deer uncomfortable. if you make a solid trail "some deer" will use it; however, its my opinion, mature deer will separate them self's from noticeable changes to their home. I've set up in these thick parts towards the end of October and gotten lost even with markers. I don't dare go in and start cutting stuff down or making trails. in the past I have done that and ruined the area for years. I agree its best if get in hang your stand and try to make some markings. nothing on the ground because it will get covered with fallen leafs. the reflectors are the best, but it's a welcome sign for trespassers or no gooders. Many times I've hung a stand and spent hours walking around looking for it. I might as well have driven my 4wheeler right to it, with all the noises i made.
