TOO Strategy Sessions

bowhunter1023 · Oct 23, 2015

Let this serve as the place to think out loud and ask advice from the brotherhood...

Sunday morning will mark the first hunt at the farm and it looks like shooting light will roll around with wet leaves, low 50s temps, and a slight N to NW wind. I have three options to choose from and wondered what you guys would prefer.

The first is a stand on the edge of a flat on a hardwoods right between two ravines. There is good bedding to the east and the westerly side is mostly open timber, with a few thick spots scattered between the flat and the end of the ridge. Access is a 7 out of 10. This is where I saw Daryl Dawkins last year.

The second option is a stand at the crest of a hill over looking a shelf that's just above the big creek bottom where all my pictures are coming from. There are does down there every morning. I'd be 200 yards off the bottom, but could see it. The shelf connects two sanctuary bedding areas. Behind me is a nice flat that is mostly hickories. Access is a 9 out of 10 and it serves as a great observation stand, with a chip shot as your only option.

The third option is a stand another 100 yards behind the second one at the very crest of the ridge. (Other side of the hickory flat.) This is one of my better stands, but it's getting tight to the thick stuff. Access is iffy. It just depends on where deer want to lay down. It can be perfect, or you can jump deer. It's really a roll of the dice. In another 10 days, it'll be one of my preferred spots.

I'm leaning towards Option 2 right now. Curious as to what you guys think.

cotty16 · Oct 23, 2015

Lots of scrapes popping up lately, especially after the weekend rain. Which spot usually has the most scrape activity?

Diablo54 · Oct 23, 2015

Option 2. Check out what alls going on with a vantage. That trail cam is only telling 10% of the story.

bowhunter1023 · Oct 23, 2015

Option 2 usually has the best scrape traffic. The shelf usually ends up with 3-4 along it.

Fullbore · Oct 23, 2015

I was going to suggest #2 at first light. If no deer activity or no shooters, I'd move to stand #3 in the afternoon and hunt till dark.

bowhunter1023 · Oct 23, 2015

There's still some standing corn on Hippie Ridge. I plan to break at lunch and find a tree near it. I had one close last year, but pulled it. Wish I had left it now!

jagermeister · Oct 23, 2015

I vote for option 2. First time in the woods sounds like a good time to jump in an observation stand and try to pin something down. Good luck dude.

Dannmann801 · Oct 23, 2015

Jesse, what does your gut tell you? What was/is your first instinct, just forgetting about all the different scenarios and variables and all the shit that can send your mind racing, worrying about picking wrong....what was your first thought?

Carpn · Oct 23, 2015

This weekend I'd hunt the stand with the best access. The forecast for later in the week is looking good . I'd save the better stands for better conditions. 2 would be my choice based on your description

Joel · Oct 23, 2015

Take two of us with you and we'll hunt all 3 spots at once!

I'll give a different answer and say go to spot 1 where you saw Daryl Dawkins. Then shoot him.

Bigslam51 · Oct 23, 2015

#2 for morning. Just because you can observe, and move according to what you see if need be.

Boarhead · Oct 23, 2015

Easiest access.

Mao · Oct 23, 2015

Duck hunt in the morning . Option #2 in the afternoon.

bowhunter1023 · Oct 23, 2015

I'm duck hunting all day tomorrow, Sunday is reserved for deer.

Dan, my gut says #2 will give me the best intel. I don't expect to kill a good buck, I just want to see how the does come and go from the bottom.

Isaacorps · Oct 23, 2015

jagermeister said:
I vote for option 2. First time in the woods sounds like a good time to jump in an observation stand and try to pin something down. Good luck dude.

Agree

5Cent · Oct 23, 2015

I will be the outlier and say #1, right now, especially if this is the first time hunting the farm. I would want as many shot opportunities as possible. Any stand with only one shooting lane that sounds to be no longer than 20-30 yards is a no go unless I am knowing they are crossing it on a constant basis or its the only stand to hunt. Then, #2 on another day if intell or lack of opportunity arrives.

bowhunter1023 · Oct 24, 2015

Right now I'm leaning towards 2 in the AM, 1 in the evening.

motorbreaker · Oct 24, 2015

I almost always go for the easy access in the morning. If you hunt #2 in the morning that could tell you where you will want to hunt in the evening.

bowhunter1023 · Oct 27, 2015

I'm loving the looks of Friday morning. Cold and on the backside of a front. The problem I have now is the wind. I usually like a NW wind and if I didn't have the caliber of buck I have on the farm, I'd know right were I was going. My best stand is set for a NW, problem is it's not at the farm. On the farm, I have two sets for a NW wind, with one being better for a W-SW, but can be hunting on a NW. There is one other possibility, but I have to hang and hunt. It's on a finger overlooking a bowl that traditionally has some good bedding. There is usually a nice scrape up there too. A few years ago, a couple buddies had an encounter with a 150s 10 point that showed up for 2 weeks during the rut on this finger.

I'm thinking I might try and take advantage of the crap weather the next two days and sneak in there to hang my stand. Might depend on the wind shift that comes midday Friday.

What are you guys planning for the weekend?

Huckleberry Finn · Oct 27, 2015

Trying to look at the forecasts and plan days off...Friday does look exceptional though.

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