I have a dream. On our property, there is a GOOD sized cottonwood that is alone in a brushy, swampy line that separates our 3 acre clover/turnip field and our 30 acre CRP field. It is just below a ridge that gets tons of activity, most of the year. The tree has too many limbs to trim for a climber, and the cover is few and far between. I KNOW that it is a hell of place. I also KNOW that we need a stand there. The only questionable thing is that it sticks out and cover is basically gone come late October. I dream of smoking a big dude that chases the does around in the food plots and CRP field. There is also an absurd trail that is 18 yards away from the base of the tree... I'm planning on being 22 feet up in it, with the surrounding trees and cover ending at around 10 feet. I do have a couple of nice sized limbs around in the tree, but am not sure if that is enough. Another big concern is being "outlined" be deer coming from the South and East.. Question is - Has anyone ever hunted trees that are, for the most part "lonesome" or out in the open? I've considered the manufactured cover system, and will probably go that route, or try to make my own.
Try wearing an open pattern with a light background, like predator or a snow camo with sticks and limbs mixed in. You will have to spot them well before they get into range and be stood up and ready when they get close. Good luck with the big cottonwood stand.
I had a similar spot that I hung this November. The area was getting tore up, but there was one problem. No trees with cover. It's an old fence row that seperates old pasture and ag fields. I finally picked the largest tree and set myself up that I would have my back to the field where the deer would come from. Worked perfectly for me, however I think I may of had a bit more backdrop than what you are describing. If the area is a killer spot, then it's probably worth it to just go ahead and give it a shot. Be still and move slow.
Thanks guys. The good thing is that it is a fairly wide tree, and give some place to move around. The tree really isn't the problem, it's just the openness. I think it's one of those spots that you REALLY don't want them to stop avoiding. I'd likely only hunt it 5-6 nights a year, when the conditions were PERFECT. It would be a brutal setup for the morning hunts.
