Tech question for hunting technique.?

Question

Gentlemen,

I have never hunted from a stand or fixed position (well, at least for animals anyway).

This weekend, I will be using a crssobow for the first time. I will also be hunting on a new WMA on public land.

My challenge is not unique. I will not have the luxury of scouting beforehand and also have no experience trying to get a deer within 30 yards.

Can you give me the most immediate things I should look for from a good position? I realize that I must pay attention to smell and always position myself upwind, I must find a well traveled lane, obviously all the standard hunting things apply but can you give me a precise checklist to run through miy mind when looking for a good crossbow stand?

This is important to me as I want to branch out and learn certain things that I have never experienced when hunting. I will pass everything I gain to my son.

I appreciate your help.

Ven

Answer 1

Try to put the stand in the widest tree possible (assuming you can still put the stand up and have a safety strap around it). there is such thing as a tree too wide. Try to put the stand in a tree that has other trees around it to break up your profile.
Another thing - don't go cutting a whole lot of shooting lanes unless it's very thick. Once the leaves fall, shooting lanes tend to create themselves. All it does is expose you more. If you don't have to, don't cut.
I wouldn't rule out hunting on the ground either provided you can find a hillside to sit up against and a tree that is wide.

when the deer gets inside of 50 yards, it's time to raise the bow to a firing position and take the safety off. You'll want to be inside of 30 yards. If the deer is walking closer, let him. When he gets about 15-20 yards away, you can get your shot. Most people want broadside so you can shoot him in the chest. I would just assume have a quarting towards shot --- when it stops and looks up at you, you generally have time to shoot it in the neck.

Just be carefull to give yourself enough clearance for those crossbow limbs. You don't want to whack it on a tree or branch and send yourself to the hospital.

EDIT
I didn't read the question right.
If you can't scout, I would suggest evening hunting. In the late morning, noon time, or early afternoon - walk around a crop field if one is there. You're looking for trails that come out. Backtrack those trails 100 yards until you find a good hillside, boulder, etc that puts you within shooting distance of the trail or trail.
If you have a creek bottom, use the same time of day to walk the creek bottom and look for crossings. Backtrack until you find a likely spot. Sit on the ground.

If you want even a remote chance of killing a deer this weekend, do that. The odds are not good, but they are better than stalking. Stalking is just going to lead to a scouting expedition --- which is not a bad thing if you plan to hunt the area more in the future.
But to kill a deer now, backtrack and sit for the evening.

Answer 2

Minimize human odors, find a good spot with clear views of the trail but don't trample the area too much finding one, be still and quiet at all times, practice putting your stand up multiple times at home so you can get set up quickly and quietly when you find your spot, make sure it's secure (I know so many guys that have broken bones falling off!), don't fall asleep (yeah, done that), practice the zen of 'becoming one with the tree' and don't drive yourself crazy with all the thoughts of other things that pop into your head while sitting there. I may get some snickers here, but meditation practice will make you a better hunter.

Answer 3

If I could not scout an area for several days, I would drop the idea of placing a stand and instead stalk. Placing a stand in the right place takes good scouting and planning. Stalking is a much better method than just tossing up a stand and counting on luck.

Answer 4

without scouting first I would stalk for the first couple days looking for a really good place to put my stand
just look for trees at least as wide as you shoulders and kick the leaves and debris away from the bottom of the tree and use turkey tactics on deer also the act of kicking the debris away you get a place you can turn around silently and you get some cover scent from the dirt you uncover

Answer 5

Since you are new to hunting with a bow of any kind, make sure that you have a clear shooting lane. Even the smallest of twigs can give you enough deflection to throw your shot off. Good luck on the hunt brother.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Find yourself an apple tree and set up near it.*