What's new

Any big hunts planned for this year?

Woods.

Lots of reading on QDMA and videos on youtube by Jeff Sturgis, Grant Woods and others. Lots of good info on how to manage property for hunting deer. The bait ban in the lower peninsula might not last long, who knows. Hard and soft mast trees always produce in the long run. Food plots are legal and don't necessarily require a tractor. Security cover if lacking in the area, can be a gold mine.

Jeef Sturgis https://www.whitetailhabitatsolutions.com/
Grant Woods https://www.growingdeer.tv/about-us/
Jim Brauker-https: www.extremedeerhabitat.com/habitat-blog/
Jake Elinger-http: www.habitatsolutions360.comJeff Sturgis
Eric Long-http: www.drumminglog.com
Tony Laprat-http: www.tonysulm.com
Tom Mesnard- http://www.tctlm.com
Art Helin- http://www.arthelinoutdoors.co
 
Best advice I have ever gotten hunting is hunt where the animals are not where it looks like they should be. Seems basic and stupid but its true. Sitting on a perfect field that should hold a B&C buck is only sitting on a field if there are no deer there. I personally try and get 2 miles or more from others. I know its easier on the west coast vs. a lot of other states. I find most all hunters are “road hunters” and the non road hunter never go past a mile or 2 from their car. Animals stay away from people during hunting season except for the rut time. Go to them dont expect them to come to you.

All stupid common sense stuff but all true
 
For next year, I am going to be trimming up an easier path to the swamp area. I'm still getting the gist of this. I also have a bunch of ribbon I use to mark maples out front for sapping. I'll use that to guide my way to some sit spots out back.

30s out this morning. Once this temp remain this cool, I'll think I'll see more action.

Something that a friend of mine does is uses the different colored ribbons to mark out yardage - like yellow ribbon for 20 yards out/blue for 40 yards. First thing I do once getting safely in the stand is range find my marks, so that if a deer comes in I can have a reference to where they are as far as yardage and not create extra movement by range finding it.

I am fairly serious about scent control - we have our "hunting room" where all of our clothing is stored away from all the normal cooking/candle smells. When it's time to hunt, I take them outside and get dressed there or in the field if possible. That being said, I've also left from work multiple times and had success bow hunting (I work in a factory so LOTS of different smells). I am a firm believer in Nose Jammer spray - I did not believe it would work at all the first time I used it, but now keep a can of it in my pickup and spray down before walking to the stand, especially the bottoms of my boots.
 
Well, temps are getting lower so hopefully that helps. Baiting starts in about a week. Don't really care for that method, but for a first deer I'll do what I have to. I'd never get a skipper though. Or a doe with fawns around her.

The swamp area I was going to mark out the distances. Drive some sticks into the ground. Green for 15 yards and yellow for 30; just like the sights on my bow.

But I'd really like to just stick to my property. They are there. Just need to wait a bit. Rut season for sure. I've learned quite a bit this year so far. We'll see what happens.
 
Speaking of scent control, does anyone have a line on surplus old school MOPP suits or have those all gone the way of the dodo?

EDIT: never mind, found some. Time to embrace the charcoal :laughing:
 
Last edited:
Well, temps are getting lower so hopefully that helps. Baiting starts in about a week. Don't really care for that method, but for a first deer I'll do what I have to. I'd never get a skipper though. Or a doe with fawns around her.

The swamp area I was going to mark out the distances. Drive some sticks into the ground. Green for 15 yards and yellow for 30; just like the sights on my bow.

But I'd really like to just stick to my property. They are there. Just need to wait a bit. Rut season for sure. I've learned quite a bit this year so far. We'll see what happens.

Hmm, I thought you were in the Lower Peninsula where baiting wasn't allowed. The rut is still 2 weeks out up here, maybe 3 down state. Have you found any rubs or scrapes on your property? Look for them along edges, changes in habitat types, swamp butted up to hardwoods etc.

Habitat work I find to be fun as hell. I've planted over 250 trees and shrubs in 2 acres near my house and created 3 small food plots. They are a work in progress and will be bad ass when done but I'm already seeing benefits. Average life expectancy is roughly 75 years old, which gives me another 15 or so before I kick. My daughter asked why I bother to do all the work. Because long after I'm gone it's still going to be kick ass for somebody else to enjoy.
 
Hmm, I thought you were in the Lower Peninsula where baiting wasn't allowed. The rut is still 2 weeks out up here, maybe 3 down state. Have you found any rubs or scrapes on your property? Look for them along edges, changes in habitat types, swamp butted up to hardwoods etc.

Habitat work I find to be fun as hell. I've planted over 250 trees and shrubs in 2 acres near my house and created 3 small food plots. They are a work in progress and will be bad ass when done but I'm already seeing benefits. Average life expectancy is roughly 75 years old, which gives me another 15 or so before I kick. My daughter asked why I bother to do all the work. Because long after I'm gone it's still going to be kick ass for somebody else to enjoy.

Naw, I'm up a ways in Northern New England.

There were scrapes up a ways from my property line. They do make it my way though eventually. When the snow is on the ground, there are tracks every 5' and shit every where. Its just the waiting game.
 
Well, temps are getting lower so hopefully that helps. Baiting starts in about a week. Don't really care for that method, but for a first deer I'll do what I have to. I'd never get a skipper though. Or a doe with fawns around her.

The swamp area I was going to mark out the distances. Drive some sticks into the ground. Green for 15 yards and yellow for 30; just like the sights on my bow.

But I'd really like to just stick to my property. They are there. Just need to wait a bit. Rut season for sure. I've learned quite a bit this year so far. We'll see what happens.


Once you find their pathways they are doomed... chasing them will help understand how they think and pattern.

Or so thats what I was told...
 
Top Back Refresh