Six lousy places for tree stands

Not long after deer season ends, many hunters begin scouting for next season’s stand locations. Their goal is to find places where the odds of encountering deer are high. Then, within those areas, they search for the ideal stand site — that magical spot within the spot. Most set their stands with prevailing wind in mind. It sounds straight-forward, but, of course, there’s more to it than that. Even when you play the wind correctly, it’s easy to turn a good stand location in a lousy one. Here’s how. No quiet way in Deer will steer clear of stand locations where terrain does not allow for a stealthy approach and departure. That’s why a silent route in and out of the stand should be central to your planning. A squeaky tree stand or a ground blind that’s being buffeted by the wind or with a floor that’s covered in crunchy, frost-covered leaves is sure to alarm any deer in the vicinity. Choose routes that skirt, not pass through, your hunting area and minimize how much of your scent blows into the hunting ground. Silhouetted stand Any stand that silhouettes you against the sky is a bad bet. The silhouette of a hunter, especially one who fidgets, is easily detected by deer, often from a long way off. Think of how easy it is to spot a wild turkey on the roost from a distance. All it takes is one attention-getting move on your part to guarantee an uneventful hunt. Also remember, you can silhouette yourself in a ground blind by leaving the window behind you open. Directly in their path If you set up directly in line with the deer’s route, you drastically increase your chance of being busted. A deer coming straight at you has an opportunity to see or scent you (if downwind) every step of the way in. It’s better to determine their likely line of approach (using clues from game trails, cover, topography, past experience, trail camera, and wind direction), then set up downwind and a little off to the side. The wrong height A stand hung at the wrong elevation can sabotage success. Too low, and the deer will scent you, or spot your movements. Too high and your shot angles are too severe on closer deer. Also, in a high stand your tree sways in even the slightest breeze, making it an unsteady shooting