The deer owe me. After placing my stand and planting a small plot last year, I did some work to make myself a path where I would be able to enter and exit quietly, and keep my scent out of the areas and off the trails the deer were using. What do I discover now. The deer are using the trail I made and are now walking in right under my stand. Unless I get air lifted, there is now no option to get to this stand without using or crossing the deer trails in and out of the spot. Damn things better show up and pose broadside as means of payment for providing such a nice path through the brush for them.
LOL. I have a spot that is kind of the same way. No stinking way to get into the stand without crossing or following some of the trails. Deer are smart, they take the easy route just like we do. Unfortunately this spot was a clearcut about 10 yrs ago and is now a major bedroom of thick crap and you cant get to it other than some trails through it. What I found that helped me last year was using the Evercalm-Herd in a stick. When I got in the area I would rub some on the bottom of my boot. It kept the deer in the area as they just thought I was another deer.
I always called that "clearing for a kill shot". Have had many times that deer would use a trail that I cut for me so I began cutting trails that put deer where I wanted them to go.
I might have to try that idea. i have a great spot but i dont hunt it as much as i want to cuz of walking deer trails to get to it
The stuff is 20 bucks but it is well worth it. I was skeptical until I saw the results myself. Deer that would normally spook stuck around and were relaxed. At times they would even come up and smell the tree that I would occasionallyl rub it on about 20 yards from my stand. There was 2 times last year that it gave me shot opportunities on does. Some guys are skeptical as they say it will spook or not work on the mature bucks but my thinking is if it keeps the does around longer then that buck is more than likely to come in and feel comfortable as well. Who knows, I'll use it until it screws me up.
Only hunt that stand when they're coming from the opposite end of the trail and the wind is coming from their direction (in your favor) or use a scent drag. Other than that, make sure to really spray down your boots. I've had the same thing happen before but that's typical deer behavior, taking the path of least resistance...dang freeloaders they are!
It's been my experience over the years that deer will begin using any path you make. I guess they just like the path of least resistance. Blessings..............Pastorjim
We would rake trails to our stands only to have deer walk the same trail. Now we rake in then split off in front of the stand about 20 yards. The other split that we make to finish to the the stand is then zig zagged. Sounds silly but it has setup for a few shots in the past.
