The rut is on and your primal human urge to hunt is running as high as that prized buck's urge to mate. It's a little late to think about setting up a deer stand right now but these 5 things to consider when setting up deer stands will put a jump-start on next year's hunt and improve your chance of success at the same time.
1). Rifle or bow? These weapons have dramatically different firing ranges. Where you install a stand depends on type or weaponry to be used.
A rifle's long range covers several hundred yards or more. To gain a functional view, deer stands need to sit high enough off the ground to view a target at maximum firing distance.
Bowhunters get much closer to their prey, though, and don't need a view of the horizon. Many bowhunters say 25 to 40 yards is optimum. Situate a deer stand where it allows clear view of this range.
Terrain will influence location, too. Sometimes a stand a few feet off the ground is best in one flat location while another, hillier, site is best utilized from 20 feet up.
A solid silhouette or shadow cast by a deer stand signals human presence. Nestle your stand against a backdrop of forest for best cover, especially when bowhunting.
2). Leave the city behind. The natural human scent is foreign enough in the hunting zone without added fragrances like aftershave, insecticides, and hair products that will spook your intended prey, sending him running.
How does your deer stand smell? Don't bring stinky human aromas to the woods. Leave the pizza behind. Instead, bring hunting-friendly snacks. Try dried fruit and nuts, deer delicacies sure to draw a crowd.
3). Hunting starts long before opening day. Before deer-stand installation, spend time in the hunt zone observing the wildlife. Become familiar with daily rhythms. Locate all watering holes and learn who comes to drink when.
Install the stand away from watering holes and controlled feeding grounds. Place it instead along traffic routes to these areas. Watch for does and fawns. Your big buck will trail them.
4). Occupy the stand before season opens. Before the big day, spend time in the stand. Observe animal activities, from the stand, at the time of day hunting is planned. Let the animals become comfortable knowing the stand is occupied. Whenever animals eye the stand for a moment but resume feeding instead of running, they're comfortable.
Go fully armed to these pre-season observational hunts. Pretend it's open season and take everything you think you might want if the hunt were live. Go through all the motions - load up, aim, eat, dress down as the day warms up.
Note unnatural noises, aromas, and movements made during this rehearsal. Candy wrappers crackling. Sniffles. Ammo not at hand. Squeaky cooler. Cellphone. Tobacco smoke. Eliminate them before opening day.
5). Keep safety first. Hunting is a game of chance, a test of human will against nature. It's dangerous. Unpredictable. Successful hunters plan on prevention.
Be fully alert on the pre-dawn trek from car to stand. Startled animals fight back and many are capable of causing serious pain.
Stay alert by leaving alcoholic beverages at home. Popping tops and clanking bottles are too loud, smell too human, and are likely to make you sloppy and lazy. When hunting, that means dangerous. Save the booze for the victory celebration.
The higher off the ground the stand, the bigger the danger of falling. Use a safety harness and rope even if the climb appears easy. Unwieldy loads and dark dewy mornings invite slips so prepare in advance with a prevention plan.
Even the most avid hunter dozes off from time to time. If there's any possibility at all that a dozing hunter may fall from the stand, install safety harnesses in the stand, too.
Relocating an impulsively placed deer stand is no fun, especially when rutting season is in full swing. Following a well-thought plan instead, one that includes these 5 easy things to consider, is sure to bring added pleasure, safety, and record-setting success to every hunt.