New hunter and I plan on hunting whitetails in this field. Where would you set up a stand and/or blind? Need to stay on the north or east sides of the clearing as much as possible to meet distance requirements. Predominant winds are west or south west. Would you enter right up the driveway? Cut across the field? Stick to the edges? Most importantly, where would you set up?
Where would you set up a stand?
- Thread starter sandman
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I'd set up more than one for different winds if If you can. If a new property I'd set up somewhere I can see the most area so I could then get a feel for where I need to actually be hunting. The more edges that come together the better. Whitetails are creatures of edges.
Joe2Kool
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For rifle or ML hunting, and if I was walking in while it was dark, and I only had a couple days, I marked a few places that intrigue me. They look to be narrow clearings that could give some visibility. Since they are narrow, they provide cover that WTs like.
As Nick said, if you've got time to scout, or hunt all season, setup somewhere you can see a lot. As in on the edge somewhere that you can see all the way across. That would allow you to watch and gain intel where and when deer are moving.
You'll hear it said more, but boots on the ground will give you the best intel. You'll find game trails, crossings, funnels, etc. that you can't see in aerial photos.
However, the easiest way to figure it out, is to hope it has turkeys! And hunt them in the spring.
Why? You'll cover lots of ground without a preconceived notion of where you want to go. A turkey sounds off and that's where you're going! Along the way you'll find plenty of places you want to come back to and check out for deer. That's how I've found most of my good deer spots on the large tract of public land I frequently hunt.
Good luck!
As Nick said, if you've got time to scout, or hunt all season, setup somewhere you can see a lot. As in on the edge somewhere that you can see all the way across. That would allow you to watch and gain intel where and when deer are moving.
You'll hear it said more, but boots on the ground will give you the best intel. You'll find game trails, crossings, funnels, etc. that you can't see in aerial photos.
However, the easiest way to figure it out, is to hope it has turkeys! And hunt them in the spring.
Why? You'll cover lots of ground without a preconceived notion of where you want to go. A turkey sounds off and that's where you're going! Along the way you'll find plenty of places you want to come back to and check out for deer. That's how I've found most of my good deer spots on the large tract of public land I frequently hunt.Good luck!
Here's a few more details:
The field is roughly 600yds x 300 yds. I'd like to keep my shot to around 100yds.
For distancing requirements, I'm only able to hunt the Northern or Eastern quadrants of the field.
I have all season to hunt it (late Sep - early Dec).
Won't see turkeys, but may see coyotes.
Those red markings Joe2Kool made are likely deer trails.
I want to see up where I've made the white arrows. Will I get busted walking in?
Predominant winds are west or south west.
The field is roughly 600yds x 300 yds. I'd like to keep my shot to around 100yds.
For distancing requirements, I'm only able to hunt the Northern or Eastern quadrants of the field.
I have all season to hunt it (late Sep - early Dec).
Won't see turkeys, but may see coyotes.
Those red markings Joe2Kool made are likely deer trails.
I want to see up where I've made the white arrows. Will I get busted walking in?
Predominant winds are west or south west.
Joe2Kool
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,923
Walking across the field, unless the deer are several hundred yards away, they're gonna bust you. I've got one place I hunt that the only way I can access it is across a pasture and there always seem to be deer in it. Oh well. But, if you hug the edges, it's takes a lot more time, and you're gonna bust every deer within 100 yards of the edge of the field. So, cut across it! Deer 100 yards in the woods aren't gonna care.
The biggest advantage you have now is time. If you can get on it now, do so. I'd invest my boots-on-the ground time in the area north of the field. There are trails and crossings, and all kinds of other good intel in there.
The biggest advantage you have now is time. If you can get on it now, do so. I'd invest my boots-on-the ground time in the area north of the field. There are trails and crossings, and all kinds of other good intel in there.
