| In most situations hunting deer from a tree stand | | | | or real scrapes and simply hunt the tree near by |
| will offer the bow hunter the greatest chance of | | | | that gives them the best shooting lane. But most |
| success. Unlike hunting deer with a weapon that is | | | | deer will approach a scrape from the down wind |
| capable of taking a deer up to a couple hundred | | | | direction. Taking this into consideration a better |
| yards a bow hunter is looking for that shot of 40 | | | | place to hunt scrape would be downwind of it. |
| yards or less. This means the bow hunter needs | | | | Many hunters never consider that fact that deer |
| to position themselves very close to an area deer | | | | do look up in the woods. Even if a deer doesn't |
| are using without being detected. Being elevated in | | | | look up consider the fact that deer just as |
| a tree a stand helps the hunter reduce the | | | | humans do have peripheral vision which can |
| chance of being seen or smelled by the keen | | | | detect the slightest of movements. Choosing a |
| senses of a whitetail. However, successful bow | | | | tree that offers good cover to help conceal small |
| hunting involves much more than simply hanging a | | | | movements is always a good idea. Even dressed |
| stand in any randomly picked tree. | | | | in full camo your movements should always be |
| Learning how to improving your odds is what | | | | kept to a minimum. |
| successful bow hunting is all about. The more | | | | Stand height is a frequently asked question from |
| elements of deer hunting you can put in your | | | | bow hunters just starting out. Typically 12 to 25 |
| favor the better off you'll be. | | | | feet up in a tree is adequate. Most hunters prefer |
| Scouting is critical to the success of any deer | | | | a height of approximately 16 to 18 feet. |
| hunter. Even if you master every other element | | | | Staying quiet in stand is very important as |
| of bow hunting you'll simply never bag a deer if | | | | whitetail deer have very sensitive hearing. Even if |
| you never have the opportunity to draw your | | | | you 30 foot in the air a whitetail will be able to |
| bow. Before deer season begins try to spend as | | | | hone in on your position if your making noise. |
| much time as possible in the woods you plan to | | | | Before season make sure to set up your stand |
| hunt learning the areas and trails deer are using. | | | | and check for squeaks or noises while shifting you |
| Bedding areas, feeding areas and the trails | | | | weight on it. Also take the time to secure any |
| connecting these areas should all be identified. | | | | chains or loose meal surfaces before heading out |
| Preferred food sources of whitetail deer include | | | | into the woods. |
| corn fields, bean fields, alfalfa, apple trees, and | | | | Even while your hunting you should never stop |
| acorns. Trails and terrain that funnel deer between | | | | scouting. Take note of areas or trails that deer |
| bedding and feeding areas are worth consideration | | | | are using and be flexible enough to move your |
| when determining tree stand locations. | | | | stand to these areas if needed. There's no sense |
| When choosing a tree to hang your stand on | | | | in staying on a trail that's not producing deer. |
| don't waste time finding trying to find the perfect | | | | When traveling to your stands consider ground |
| tree. You're simply looking for a tree that will | | | | odor that you may be producing. Rubber boots |
| offer you a 10-25 yard shot at a deer. Next the | | | | should always be worn versus leather pack boots. |
| tree selected should be large enough to support | | | | Also try to avoid walking on deer trails to your |
| your weight and wide enough to conceal the | | | | stand or touching anything with your bare hands. |
| silhouette of your body. | | | | Scent control sprays should also be considered. |
| Putting the wind in your favor is very important | | | | While sticking it out on stand can get awful boring |
| when hunting as deer have a very keen sense of | | | | at times you simply are not going to bag a big |
| smell. Even if your stand is 15 - 25 feet in the air | | | | buck sitting at home watching the hunting channel. |
| don't take the chance of a deer winding you. | | | | Learn to stick it out and use your perch to keep |
| Always try to set up your stand down wind of | | | | scouting for areas that may offer more |
| approaching deer. Many deer hunters hunt mock | | | | opportunity. |