We started setting up ladder stands and feeders on 50 acres a few months ago and realize now that one 20' stand is in a great area except it's in between two trails that are only about 10yd apart. It's like we're right on top of them and our season starts July 30th down here. I'd like to move this ladder stand out further but wondering if we'll spook them by moving it now or should just leave it and set up a tree stand somewhere else in the area so they feel comfortable? Appreciate anyone's opinion.
I don't think it'll have any negative impact. Hopefully they don't realize your stand is there in the first place. I've begun hunting public ground aside from just private as of a couple years ago, and move stands continually throughout season. Seems like I see more this way than I do when I just leave them. I figure, if nothing else, I'm avoiding beating one area completely to death.
The only concern about moving that I'd have is leaving a lot of human scent, try to move it before a rain storm. The myth that deer know every stick and twig in the woods is bogus in my opinion. I'm with crop duster, the more I move the more deer I seem to see throughout the season.
Keep your scent and disturbance to a minimum and move that thing. Like others have said, wait until right before a rain if you can. But regardless, make sure you do it at a time when deer are not moving much like int he middle of the day. I move stands and set or check trail cams this way and haven't had an issue with spooking deer.
Also, try and do it mid-day if you can stand the heat. But yes, move it and try and do it during or right before a rain.
Cool. Thanks for your inputs. I'm trying to back off the area about 30-40 yards and see exactly which way their coming and going then see how to get a shot off. It's private land and every time we go out we learn a little more about the property. Going to start putting some scents out in a few weeks.
I'm moving it then. Do you guys agree though that having a stand 3 or 4yd form their trail is too close? I could drop a brick on one if it came by.
haha last year we set giant box blinds on our property 6 days before rifle season, im talking 5 guys 3 atv's, people yelling, chainsaws, sweating our asses off, and we saw more deer opening day from those blinds than we ever have on a season opener. And I'm from Vermont our deer are afraid of their shadow! In my opinion its more about the "here and now" I wouldnt make so much ruckus a week before bow season but you have a month or two minimum depending on where you are hunting. go in quietly, one or two guys and move your stand. the deer will not be effected for more than one day if at all.
If no other choice, then you've got to do what you've got to do.. Is it preferred? Heck no... for a couple reasons: One, the deer will literally be able to hear you breathe with you right on top of them like that. ANY noise or movement is going to have them BOLT when it comes from right above them... And maybe more importantly... that's not the preferred shot angle. I'd back off the trail 15 yards or so and you'll be MUCH more likely to get a double-lung result instead as opposed to hitting just one with the more straight-down setup.
Wow some of our counties start August 15th here in SC. Ya'll start July 30th? I couldn't even imagine hunting in the state of FL in July!
If it needs moved, then move it. I wouldn't care if it was the day before the season or the middle of the rut. Just keep time and scent to a minimum and get it right so you don't have to move it again.
I still have a bunch of stand work that won't get done until the end of July on one farm and the middle of August on another. If you have the time and the plan go do it now.
I was thinking the same thing! Man, it's 103 here today, and it's going to be worse around the time their season starts! Well, I say that, but it really hasn't cooled off much at all here by October 1st when we start. Anyway, I'd move it further off the trail. I usually like to be 15-30 yards off of a trail, but that's just me.
15-20yds off and move it as soon as you can. Might even want to spray it down with some scent killer when you are done. I am moving one in a couple weeks. I will be spraying it down after it is moved.
I think It'll be fine to move it. But you have 2 months on our season! Me and my brothers haven't even touched our stands yet.. hint.. hint..
Since I only hunt public land I take my stand and sticks in and out with me every time I go hunt. It's a little more work intensive and I have to be really careful with making noise, but I can't bring myself to leave a lone wolf sitting on public land. I will say the weekend I got to hunt out of a stand that was set year round was great. Just bring in your gear, climb up and you're good. I also use a pop-up blind and am trying to figure out how to get that thing set up on public land without the obvious pop of the hubs giving me away too badly.
