Property: 80 acre public hunting area. Entrance to the property is at the far west end of the area. Going from West to East, it is prairie until you hit a wooded area that consists of about 10 acres and makes up the whole East side of the property. My tree stand is located on a tree line where the woods meet the grassy prairie. The tree line runs North to South. The deer walk the front of this tree line and browse the prairie, they do the same thing every time I have been there. In the morning they come from the North end of the prairie and walk towards the south. In the evening they are always going from the South to the North. My question is this, the only feasible way into my stand before a hunt is by crossing the same prairie these deer walk through, the woods behind my stand are far to thick and rugged to walk through to get into the stand from the back side. I am new to hunting so if I am being stupid lay the law down on me, but how would you approach this I feel as though by having to enter the stand in this manner I have handicapped myself by crossing where the deer are going to be walking. How would you prepare and what steps would you take to make sure you didn't leave a scent trail or tip these deer off to your presence.
This is just a question and suggestion. Not sure if it would work but, is there any way you can go in and cut a trail to your stand through the woods? I don't mean go in with a chainsaw and start whacking away trees or anything, just a machete or something. Not sure if you can do that on public land or not but, if it were private land thats what I would do. That sis if you can get to the woodline without crossing or at least crossing on one end or the other. If you do it now it should still be good to go for the season.
I totally agree wit sticknstring.if you can even cut a small trail with pruning shears through that thicket you'll be in the gold,but watch the wind!
THat an easy one...I have that same issue.. I realized that I could fool the deer by walking backwards to the stand...so then when the deer get to my scent they think I was leaving instead of going to the stand. But seriously..if you can't cut thru the woods, try to go to the stand from the north if they are coming from the south or visa versa hopefully when they get to your scent it will be too late or you already passed up on it. SB
And if you absolutely have to walk anywhere near the deer trail, cross it perpendicular. Never parallel a trail with your own.
Jeez, makes sense to walk further south if the deer will be coming from the north, or vice a versa. Thanks for the tip, I feel kind of stupid that I couldnt think of that on my own, but it definetely makes sense. We are finally getting some cooler weather here, maybe I can venture through the woods and try and cut a trail to the stand from the east end of the property through the woods...Thanks for the replies!
Yeah, I'm not sure about the DNR in your area, but in mine they usually frown at people cutting their own trails in the woods. I would definitely contact your local game warden before proceeding down this line.
Ok, definetely good advice, I will call DNR and double check. I am doubting they will have a big problem with me doing that, somebody set up a rifle range on the far corner of the property and it has been there for years it seems. It is such a small tract of land, there are thousands of acres of public land within 30 minutes of this area, I would be surprised if DNR kept a good eye on this property, but not worth trouble so I will ask. Thanks!
