Help me out guys. On one of the properties I hunt, its basically a small parcel that connects to a bigger area on public land. I had a big old boy come through on Saturday night at 745 pm. The does there (about 9 of them) just do circles all day long on the small parcel. I have cam pics of them sun up to sun down. My question: would you go in a bust a doe on day one? OR would you wait it out until the big boy makes a pattern?
What would you do?
- Thread starter Snyder10
- Start date
Gotta do you man. If you want fresh backstraps and a doe is easy to get, that's a great opening weekend. If you want to shoot a big buck, I'd be patient.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
NO, no stands. I guess thats a whole nother question. MY plan was to set up a small blind or use a ghost blind. Would you sneak in and try to set up a stand this late in the game?
Your best sit is the first one. I hang and hunt same day all the time. If you do it smart and do it quietly, you'll be fine. A good mobile-type setup really helps. Don't go in there with a ladder stand or a 20-ft stick ladder and think you're gonna do it covertly. Ain't happening.
Like Jesse said, it's all up to you how you approach this. If you want to kill that particular buck, his pattern won't get any more predictable than it is RIGHT NOW. I wouldn't mess around and shoot a doe in there if you really want to kill this buck. Sure, you can get back on him later in the season, but IMO that's taking a gamble. If you don't really care whether or not you kill that buck, go in and shoot a doe and enjoy yourself. Make it fun no matter which route you choose.
Can you get on the public land and bust a doe? Gambling is just that. Nothing says someone won't bugger the area up.
I feel like you have plenty.of time to let the area cool.down before rut. Personally, id go get me some opening weekend meat!
I feel like you have plenty.of time to let the area cool.down before rut. Personally, id go get me some opening weekend meat!
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
Deer know the woods like you know your living room...if you’re setting up a blind, they will need time to get used to it.
Any steep hills you can setup on that would get you the height of a treestand overlooking a pinch point? If so, use the terrain to your advantage and skip the stand or blind. Some of my favorite spots involve a stool and a steep bank where I'm about 20-30 feet above a trail. Dig out a little flat spot with the heel of your boot for your stool, hang your bow in a tree thats next to you, and wait from your ambush spot.
If needed, get some natural cover to conceal you better using limbs and leaves.
If needed, get some natural cover to conceal you better using limbs and leaves.
This is how I love to hunt, cotty is spot-on.
Personally, I think if you can kill a deer on opening day, it sets the tone for the whole season, and it takes the edge off. Makes the rest of the year more relaxed.
Hill hunting like this is why I carry a small shovel in my pack, to make a seat at the base of a tree.
Yea i thought so too. I picked up a ghost blind...kind of on impulse, and considered using that. If I dont use that I might go for a smaller, single man blind
Nope nothing steep. Actually the total opposite lol. All flat ground surrounded by a lake
Bowhunter57
Senior Member
Snyder10,
Some deer tolerate portable ground blinds, but not very many and older bucks treat them like the plague. Also, if you spook the does, the buck is or could be close by watching and there he goes too. Even if he doesn't see them spook, the does may start skirting the area and they'll take the buck with them.
I use a climber stand and always take it in and out.
Reasons Why:
* It never gets stolen.
* Critters are hard on the parts.
* Weather elements are hard on the parts.
* I don't want anyone walking through, spotting my stand and then taking a closer look around as to the reason why my stand is there and next thing you know some other swinging dick has their stand up 40 yards or less from yours.
My $.02 for shooting a doe early.... Some deer are less tolerant of the loss of one of the heard, than other areas. That being said, I'd wait, sneak in and out, stay in the trees, make as little commotion as possible and shoot the buck. The does are nothing more than live decoys, for which there's no replacement. The does will be there throughout the season.
Bowhunter57
Some deer tolerate portable ground blinds, but not very many and older bucks treat them like the plague. Also, if you spook the does, the buck is or could be close by watching and there he goes too. Even if he doesn't see them spook, the does may start skirting the area and they'll take the buck with them.
I use a climber stand and always take it in and out.
Reasons Why:
* It never gets stolen.
* Critters are hard on the parts.
* Weather elements are hard on the parts.
* I don't want anyone walking through, spotting my stand and then taking a closer look around as to the reason why my stand is there and next thing you know some other swinging dick has their stand up 40 yards or less from yours.
My $.02 for shooting a doe early....
Some deer are less tolerant of the loss of one of the heard, than other areas. That being said, I'd wait, sneak in and out, stay in the trees, make as little commotion as possible and shoot the buck. The does are nothing more than live decoys, for which there's no replacement. The does will be there throughout the season.Bowhunter57
Well you never said that! Perhaps you should hunt somewhere else on opening day and wait...
Did the buck move that early in shooting light only on a good weather day with cooler temps? If so, my vote would be to watch the weather and make your first sit count. It's your best shot, like someone else said. If you don't have favorable conditions (wind and temps), I'd wait. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. You can kill a doe anytime on that private ground but your best shot at that buck would be to jump in the ring when the variables line up to put him in front of you with light to shoot.