Posted: 11/12/03

Be cautious when accessing tree stand

Todd Amenrud
Guest Writer

So many hunters spend countless hours trying to figure out the perfect spot, camouflaging themselves and their scent, and waiting until the conditions are optimum before hunting a location. Unfortunately, numerous hunters blow their cover long before they ever reach their stand.

Much of your success can depend on how you enter, or for that matter, exit your hunting area. Stand approach is an often overlooked aspect of whitetail hunting.

Many would think, point A is here, point B is there -- beeline! But what are you walking through? Some hunters are so anxious to hunt an area, how they get there is of no consequence. These hunters are going to have a tough time filling their tag.

Think about; is it morning stand approach, or afternoon? If itís morning, are the deer still going to be feeding in a tract you have to hike right through? If itís afternoon, are you going to be strolling through a prime bedding area? It all has to be taken into consideration.

As most know their sense of smell is by far the hardest to fool. The preparation of washing your hunting clothes and showering in scent elimination soap helps greatly. Getting rid of the human scent, while leather absorbs it. Try to access from down-wind as much as possible, and avoid walking directly on the deerís approaching trails. Donít touch things! Avoid bumping into trees, bumping your sweaty forehead on brush, or walking through tall grass above your boots. Itís like youíre pushing your scent right into those objects.

Deerís ears get a little easier to fools. However, donít you be fooled. Not as keen as their nose, their ears are still very acute. Their actual ear drum isnít any more sophisticated than ours. But imagine if you had to approach through a noisy environment, walk slowly and stop often. Many times an un-deliberate noise will be ignored by the deer.

Their vision is probably a whitetailsí understood sense. Proper camouflage and using the lay of the land is crucial here. It was thought that a deer sees in shades of black and white. On the contraire, they actually do see certain colors, and see in low light and pick up movement exceedingly better than humans. I want a camo to work at any distance under any circumstances. Look for something thatís going to break-up the human silhouette.

Itís also possible for an adult deer to pattern you before you ever see the deer. Donít make it obvious that a human is entering their domain. That old farm toad may be the easiest way there, but it may also be an area of high human traffic. The deer are watching for humans to enter there. Vary your approach. Donít hunt a site more than two days in a row -- you teach the deer to avoid that area if you do. If someone drives into your driveway and rings the doorbell, you expect that. But you donít expect someone slipping in your back door -- be sneaky.

Itís impossible to know where deer are or where theyíre going to be coming from all the time, but pay attention to this detail and it will pay off for you.

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