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Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

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Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Swede » 02 03, 2022 •  [Post 1]

I suppose you would say, because I hope to kill a critter there. But what makes you think the critter you are after is going to show up at that particular location during the time you are perched there? Animals have a reason to go where they do. The more evidence you can see that the animal, or type of animal that is your query is showing up at your stand location, the more likely you will be successful. So, what are you looking for, and what are you seeing that has you so excited?
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Lefty » 02 04, 2022 •  [Post 2]

I couldn't hang a stand here

2012-09-08 05-54-18.JPG


Didnt place on here either , someone beat me to it
2006-09-16 10-45-45.jpg
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Jhg » 02 06, 2022 •  [Post 3]

Instead of the actual wallow, shown here, the better bet is above it where the bulls will circle first to get the wind to check if its safe. This wallow gets upslope thermals most of the day and is a poor choice to hang a stand because of that.
I missed a bull by not listening to my intuition and being higher upslope.

But it is hard to resist sitting right on a wallow.

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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Swede » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 4]

Jhg wrote:This wallow gets upslope thermals most of the day and is a poor choice to hang a stand because of that.


That is interesting to me. I have never had problems with upslope thermals. Downdrafts and descending diurnal winds can be a big problem as they bring your scent to the ground. By being high in one of the larger trees in your picture, I would expect my scent to continue upwards during the sunny part of the day. In the early morning and in the evening, I would expect my scent to come to the ground far enough away to not be a problem. As for placing a stand somewhere else, you would know best, as I have no opportunity to view trails or other evidence there. Still, I like those limby White firs as I can be in good cover and still easily get a shot at anything coming around.
Is there a lot of water in that area, or is this the big drink and wallow opportunity?
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Jhg » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 5]

Excellent observation and points Swede. I am a ground hunter and "assumed" scent would behave similarly from a tree stand- headed upslope but not maintaining its distance off the ground.

I have 3 stands but never use them. I think I have a hangup about going higher than 15' - shot angle and all.

I keep thinking I should re-visit using them. I know some great spots.

Another great opportunity...

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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Jhg » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 6]

Another...

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And this one too...

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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby 7mmfan » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 7]

I had a blacktail spot that has since been closed off to the public. It was a couple miles back behind a closed gate. At the end of the road there was a 3-4 year old clearcut and above it was old 2nd growth timber eventually turning to old growth. There was a knife edge ridge that ran between the cut and a creek. The ridge led to a mid elevation bench that was full of waist high ferns and vine maple underneath huge fir trees. It really was blacktail paradise. There was a well used trail leading off that bench down, the knife edge ridge to the clear cut. I set my stand in the only Maple tree that was tall enough and straight enough to get a stand in. I sat that stand about 6 times one late archery season and had deer come down that trail every time, but never the buck I was looking for. Man I'd like to get back in there again.
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Swede » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 8]

Guys, here is what happens with diurnal winds as best I can remember. Warm air rises. It keeps going up and cooling as it goes. Since it has speed and momentum it will continue to rise until it slows down to a stop and is cooler than the air around it. At that point, since it is cooler than the air around it, it will start to descend. Your scent is in that wind and is scattered out, never to be picked up by an elk's nose. Being high in a tree helps with early morning and evening downdrafts. It can also help to go unseen.
Here is another thing I have observed. The vitals are as large looking and shooting downward as they are from the side. I like a good spine shot. They are very easy to track down since they stop on the spot.
Jhg, I like all of those spots especially the ones I see a trail coming into the water. I notice there is a lot of clear water which is not always good. If the elk are on a circuit, then seeing clear water can be great. They are likely to be back soon. Otherwise, you are just guessing when an elk will show up and it is obvious it isn't too often. I would ask myself why the water isn't muddy. Why arn't the trails showing sign of recent use. The answers to these questions might tell you if you need to bring a snack to your stand or a big book.
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Jhg » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 9]

These pics were taken summertime scouting. They get hit for awhile early archery, then its back to hit or miss unless there are estrus cows with a herd bull then they get hit while that whole drama is going on.
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Swede » 02 07, 2022 •  [Post 10]

If you can figure out approximately when they return, these spots look good. I would like to have a trail camera on them at least through August and September. I am not much of a bait user, but I might try salt or molasses if it is legal. I suppose distance to hike in could be a factor as well as the pack out.
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Jhg » 02 08, 2022 •  [Post 11]

Colorado has a no baiting law but plenty of "hunters" ignore it. I find the sites, especially in the back country. I agree with no baits for prey species.

Anyway. As a warden said to me once in regards to game laws: " ...there aren't very many of them." You would think we could follow the few there are.

I think I would like to get a copy of your book on tree stand hunting. I see many great opportunities that if an archer was patient would yield results I am certain. Hell, I still climb trees for a living you'd think doing it for fun would be natural.


A previous years bait site on the ground I hunt
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Re: Why Did You Hang Your Stand There?

Postby Swede » 02 08, 2022 •  [Post 12]

In Oregon baiting for deer and elk is legal, but I know in some States it is not. It is certainly not worth fooling with bait even before the season opens where it is illegal. If you have a good spot the elk will come around, and you can determine the frequency and anything else about them from that.
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