So here is the deal. I have just checked cams this weekend and I have 30+ pics of a very large 8. Probably the biggest 8 I ever got on camera. I know this particular area and dubbed it as too hard to setup in as its a very steep hollow with a small creek running through the bottom. Most of this hollow is pine with oak mixed in as well. Most of it is around a 45 degree slope or better. Anyone setup in areas that are steep? Any tips or pointers you have for this sort of scenario? I really believe that getting into this hollow will be key to getting a shot at this deer.
Are you getting pics at a specific time? Ive hunted the tops of the steep slops with some luck but you do probably need to get down in there. Good luck Muzzy.
Where are you getting pics of the buck at? Along the hillside or down at the bottom? What time is he at that location: morning, afternoon or both? Is he there daily, if not, what is the wind direction that makes him move that way?
Find where he travels and beds up high, hunt 1/4 to 1/3 from the top. Any deep cuts coming up from the bottoms where he could be crossing at the top of it?
I have a set up in the same situation. I placed a stand about 20 yards from the top. About 30 yards from a line of scrapes and covering several trails.
To answer some of the questions. I can't say for sure of his normal travels. He came into bait every single day last week and always from the same direction it appears (from this hollow). I'm 99% sure this guy is using a very well known travel corridor in this hollow, but like I said, its a SOB to hunt because of how steep it is. As for times, he came to the bait site almost every morning and then in the middle of the night. One other thing to point out is that usually by the time our season opens, the deer have a tendency to come up out of this hollow at dark, meaning that any chance you may have at this buck will probably come down in this hollow close to dark. I think I have a good idea of where I need to be, its just this "where" isn't the most pleasant area. LOL I believe I'm going to try opening day around where I had the bait (no bait there of course), which is on the top of this hollow where it flattens out. I don't want to barge in until I have a better idea of what is going on here.
I'd not be afraid to go down in, just plan and execute it as best you can. The idea of hunting the top early season will allow some insight hopefully for you and is a good strategy for early, but have a spot down in picked out and prepped if possible. Remember if you hunt this to head in extra early due to these hallows are great movement spots for deer returning to bedding for the day and can be used an hour before light or hours into the day. The rising thermals in the morning and the contour of the land will allow you to know exactly where your scent is traveling, but get up high! Blow right over them when close and allow your scent to be weaker farther out. The key to hunting high is simply knowing entrance and exit paths of the shot. You have to force yourself to aim higher up on entrance so exits are low and double lungs very much possible just like a lower elevated shot.
