So I'm hunting on public federal land. I haven't had much time to scout this year, but from what I've found was a food plot with really tall winter wheat with two acorn trees In the middle of it. Now because of the regulations, I can't leave a tree stand up and I aalso just use a blind. Should I hunt that spot or find a better location? I didn't see deer there, but found heavy traffic in the middle around the acorns. There aren't many acorns in the area because fort Bragg likes their pine trees and that's it. I also know of a bedding area not far but haven't found their trail to and from. Going to scout this week to look for more paths, but getting real upset with my lack of luck. I know there are lots of deer in the area because I hear them all over while out there. I also can't leave my blind out in order for them to get used to it. Will a tree stand be better for me? I don't have much of a budget and if I spend too much more this season my wife will mount me to the wall. Any advice would be great.
Ideally you want your blind left out but I have thrown them up out of the blue and brushed them in really good and have had success. I don't think you need a treestand to kill something, just need to do a bit more scouting to narrow it down.
If you can't find a tree to get in (just climb up in, probably not with pines), can't leave a stand or a blind...I'd get my best camo as comfortable seat like a turkey hunters bucket, etc. Then I'd just go in with a saw and find a good spot and brush in a natural blind or find a clump of thicket brush and cut out a spot and use that as a blind.
First of all, thank you for your service. My dad was a combat engineer in Vietnam and was stationed at Fort Hood and Fort Belvoir. He always used to tell me he learned how to deploy nuclear weaponry at the latter but he'd have to kill me if he showed me how. lol. Anywhoo, I agree. I have thrown a blind up the same day and arrowed a nice buck. In fact, on your first hunt in a spot, your chances of catching him off guard are great. If you really want a tree stand, I like the 15 foot big dog brand sky raider ladder stands (about $50). They are super light and easy to move into and around hunting land. Conversely, I've sat on the ground and killed deer before as well. Literally, kneeling behind a tree. A ghillie helps but is not necessary. I shot a buck once at 5 yards with a tree for cover and it all came down to being in the right spot and letting him pass by before I drew. Good luck.
I'm a combat engineer, and he's right about nuclear weaponry :P. Any who, I grew up stalk hunting and have actually a ghillie suit I made that's almost done, just been lazy. Anyway I think I just need to scout this area more and I'm justgetting frustrated. Been too much into the hunting IEDs game and lost my hunting deer touch.
Just got word from the director saying there isn't a regulation on leaving a blind out, just not recommended.
Pick the spot with the action and set up there. If something can break up your silhouette even better. Brusher in and go for it. Scotty
I don't know if you're on base or on Federal Game land...There may not be a regulation on base, but there absolutely is a regulation regarding blinds on Federal Wildlife Refuge. Here it is. Tree Stands We allow portable tree stands only. All equipment must be removed from the refuge at the end of the day. Hunters cannot use screw-in steps or the use of nails, spikes, wire, or bolts to attach a stand to a tree. Personally, I don't care. I just wouldn't want you to get in to some sort of trouble because someone gave you bad info. I hunted Federal Land last year.
It's the same regulation, it's federal game land, the base just controls it primarily. The issue isn't with tree stands, it's with blinds. I wasn't sure if they allowed me to abandon the blind in the woods. I did get a response rather quickly stating that there is nothing stating I can't so in other words they are telling me it's allowed. Again, for a ground blind, not a tree stand. I'm aware of the tree stand policy. I don't have a tree stand, and cannot afford one at the time, that's why I'm using my old ground blind :p
I did more scouting today and found a spot that comes out of a pretty thick route coming from a small creek into an acorn lot. It's pretty populated with tons of fresh tracks and even a scrape on a 3" tree. So they are hitting that spot quite often. I almost wished i had my bow on me at the time so I could sit there and wait for them :D
