Have a small secluded area that is perfect for rut bow hunting and the one time I hunted it this season I had a shooter at 50 yds chasing a doe while I was in my climber. Terrain sets up for an east wind (which doesn't seem prevalent) and possibly a west wind. Thinking of doing some hinge cutting to create some funnels and set a lock on to the east and the west. Is that too much????
How much “stand presence” is too much
- Thread starter Bushape
- Start date
TN Larry
Well-Known Member
Sounds like great planning to me. My only advise would be to not overhunt just because you have a stand in place. You are the only one that can answer the overhunting questions.
I've heard this forca long time that you can over hunt a stand. That might be true in certain circumstances but I can tell you for a fact it's not true for every stand location . A secluded area where there was little traffic except for a old mature buck ....yes I believe you could spook him but an area that had alot of deer traffic I don't think the same rules apply . This one stand in Glies I used to have as long as the wind wasn't totally wrong that's where I hunted and other members when i wasn't there . It was on a saddle and basically the most traveled site coming from the fields on the next property. A traveler route , a pinch point IMO you could hunt those alot but like I said an area you've pinpointed for a mature buck I don't think you should hunt it but maybe a couple times ....the mature buck wouldn't tolerate alot of human scent .
In my experience you can only over hunt a spot when you're getting busted or deer are regularly catching the ground scent of your access/egress. Don't think for a minute those curious critters don't hound dog your trail right to the tree. They figure you out same way you figure them out. But if you're sporadic in timing and routes, and are careful to use routes where deer aren't likely to travel much, you can hunt a stand over and over.
As for creating funnels, be careful not to get carried away. There's a very fine line between influencing deer travel and ending deer travel. If you do too much they'll just start avoiding the area.
As for creating funnels, be careful not to get carried away. There's a very fine line between influencing deer travel and ending deer travel. If you do too much they'll just start avoiding the area.
Kevin Snook
Well-Known Member
I'm no expert but I would consider access to your stands
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
We got more east winds this season then the last 5 combined it seemed like. So that's a tough wind (I hate east winds) for turkeys and deer. But you have to work with what you have. As Ski said there's a fine line. I have spots where I hunt several times a year. Just be access and exits makes or breaks stands more then anything.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I've noticed a window during the rut where bucks are seemingly coming out of the woodworks, and from all directions. It's usually a few days right before I notice the first chasing in my area.
I have no problem "over hunting" a stand during that very brief window. The rest of the time I'm very selective about how often I hunt my stands.
You'll have to figure out by trial and error what works best in your area. By the way, I pray for an east wind for two of my stands during peak cruising. It allows me the best opportunities to sneak in to two of my best spots and not get busted as much.
I have no problem "over hunting" a stand during that very brief window. The rest of the time I'm very selective about how often I hunt my stands.
You'll have to figure out by trial and error what works best in your area. By the way, I pray for an east wind for two of my stands during peak cruising. It allows me the best opportunities to sneak in to two of my best spots and not get busted as much.
