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Tips on Getting Permission to Hunt on New Ground

May 23, 2017/0 Comments/in Got Game Blog /by Stone Road

Tips on Getting Hunting Permission

FEATURE: Dan Aquino

Permission. Quite possibly the most frustrating word in a hunter’s dictionary. Not the weather, the season, or the regulations, or even the game…it’s permission. Getting access is something that strikes fear and frustration in the hearts of many hunters. Hunting land is so parceled into segments and sub-segments it is no wonder those struck with a deep sense of wanderlust exit for the West when given the chance to search for larger parcels of land rich in the game to roam. If you study history, you’ll realize a tax map of many areas around the country looks much like Europe during the age of the futile system. Whether it is just the times and everyone’s general distrust of new people or that there really isn’t enough room for everyone; perhaps the issues in some areas with deer numbers are not related to a lack of hunters, but a hunter access problem.

Getting Permission Should Be a Calculated Task

Just knocking on doors is hit or miss. More often than not the land behind house number one is not the owner of the property. Sometimes this is the case and others it is not. Using aerial technology to your advantage can help you identify the pieces of property you want to seek permission to hunt on. This is a time-saving method to help you narrow in the handful of properties you want to target. This makes finding permission more manageable and not as daunting.

Map in Hand

When you narrow down the properties you’d like to hunt, the next big problem is finding out who owns what. Looking at all the land out there and trying to dissect the tangled web of ownership it in one sitting will leave you overwhelmed. Half the battle to gaining permission is knowing where the land owner can be found. That house planted on the side of the road with a large swath of timber behind it probably won’t be the owner. You can do things the old fashion way by getting a tax map. However, town tax maps can be difficult to read as they are typically in vague black and white photos giving you only a small snapshot of the property you want to hunt. Tracking down the correct information is an additional hassle we don’t need to put up with in the age of technology. OnXmaps is an easy-to-use platform which gives you all the information you need about property lines right on your phone or GPS. You can see in real time who owns what and where the best address to contact the owner is to give you a chance to knock on their door for permission.

Being ethical about property boundaries is a must for hunters. However, especially in the east where land has been divided and subdivided hundreds of times over the past two hundred years of this country’s existence, who owns what property can become down-right confusing. Just looking at a map from the sky makes you shake your head. In real time you can know where you are and who owns what property with this simple phone app.

Getting Over The Fear

There is an unnatural fear of knocking on someone’s door. It is a fact that there is apprehension and a twisting uneasiness in our stomachs every time we pull into a random driveway and head for the door. We become a blabbering mumbled mess of adrenaline. This uneasiness keeps many people from doing so. Remember to simply relax and smile and keep in the back of your mind the worst someone can say is, no. So what if they say no? It won’t be the end of the world.

If you are feeling stressed out by the prospect of knocking on someone’s door remember the following tips.

Deep breathing exercises can naturally help alleviate tension in your body and help you relax. Do a few deep breathing exercises help to refocus yourself and stifle an adrenaline rush.

Much like taking a deep breath when shooting a bow, breathing distributes oxygen to all your vital organs in your body. A reduced heart rate and normalized pulse will keep you focused on the task at hand and also relax your tense muscles. As you are driving up to the driveway to ask for permission, Inhale and exhale in a calm manner through your nose. Take the classic method of taking a deep breath, counting to four, hold for two, counts, and then exhale.

The worst someone can say is no. Quit thinking negatively. Negative thought accelerates tension and stress which can turn you into a bumbling fool. Thinking of the situation positively with no expectation and help you overcome and control subsequent panic attacks.

Getting Permission | Landowner Perspective Tips

Put yourself in the owner’s shoes. They have probably been asked dozens of times for access. Make sure to dress for success. Business casual, jeans sans the holes and mud we typically associate with outdoor wear, is appropriate. How you look when you knock on a door gives off the perception of how you will treat their land. Appearance equals the perception of respect.

Timing

The time of year to ask permission also makes a big difference. Two weeks before the season is not the best time to ask. Starting in the offseason a great Way to build trust is to ask for permission for small game or predator hunting. This is fairly noninvasive and allows you a chance to get to know people. Don’t rush to ask for permission for a high-value target like deer or turkeys.

Archery Only

Offering to regulate yourself to archery only seasons is another great way to shed any previously held stereotypes the landowner may have about hunters. Explain the quiet and noninvasive nature of bow hunting to the land owner. Landowners who may have been left with a bad taste in their mouths from past party hunting experiences will be wary of many people wanting to hunt in groups. Positioning yourself as a solo and quiet hunter willing to help out around the farm or house can help gain the confidence of landowners.

Trust and Networking

When stepping out of your comfort zone to find permission to hunt it is easy to see that many areas have such deep roots among community members, earning trust is not going to happen by simply knocking on the door. Growing trust does not happen overnight so here are a few things to do in order to help network in local communities and engage with landowners.

Engagement

Engaging with a complete stranger is difficult. Remember to ask the owners questions and let them talk. Take notice of things around their property, pictures and ask about it. If someone can become comfortable with you quickly there is a better chance they will let you have access.

Offer To Help

This is not a one-way road. Offer to help with chores around the property throughout the summer in exchange for access. Simple actions or offers lets people know you are serious and can be trusted. Offer to cut tails or mow, watch pets, find something to do to gain trust.

Always Say Thank You

Maintaining a relationship is paramount to future success. Always send a card in the offseason around the holidays or share meat from your successful hunt. Food goes a long way to winning people’s hearts and again lets people see you are of good character and are eligible for earning their trust.

Remember The Public Lands System

The one piece of property you don’t need permission on is public land. Now, when the word public land comes to mind some people automatically discount the idea based on apprehension and fear. Sure, the risk of bumping into someone is higher. However, the unnatural fear of law enforcement and unruly crowds has protected would-be dynamite hunting spots. For some people, especially if one is new to an area, to look at all public land options is the only choice. Public lands come in multiple forms more than most people realize. There is the more well-known federal ownership of lands such as wilderness and national forests, refuges then there are state game lands such as wildlife management units. Some state parks allow for activities such as bow hunting which you can learn about with a bit of research.

Then there are land trusts, privately held lands open to the public through the application. These take a bit more digging to find but can have incredible results. Knowing what public land options are available are key to success. If you can compartmentalize fear of public lands, the world is your oyster. Scouting is the number one key to hunting public lands in order to build familiarity with the area but also to find out how the animals move when the pressure hits. For some, hunting public land is an afterthought. For others, it is the only choice. While some may have a fear of hunting on the public ground, there may be a day where it is gone permanently. Taking the time to learn to hunt public lands keeps a great resource for all sportsmen across the country alive. With government eyeing public lands to divest them for money, it is important to become invested in something we all own to protect it for the future.

Garnering permission for hunting grounds is becoming more difficult. It takes the time to build relationships and earn the trust of landowners. Regardless if you hunt on private ground or on the public, we have a responsibility to care for the lands. Pack out what you take in. Don’t leave messes for the next person since it only hurts the chances of being invited back to hunt those private ground the next season.

Ground Blinds 101 | Guide to Using Ground Blinds

Ground Blinds: A Viable Solution for Hard to Hunt Areas

Often ground blinds are overlooked by hunters as a viable solution for successful hunting. Some seem to feel that it is cumbersome to carry a ground blind in, erect it, then to have to take it down, repack it, and carry it out. The advantages to using a ground blind far outweigh the slight inconvenience of carrying, setting up, and brushing in the ground blind and can be the difference between a harvest or taking a tag home.

Ground blinds can be an advantage to hunters in many ways. The most important factor is concealment from the game animal hunted. Other factors add value to using ground blinds such as an ideal way to introduce youth hunters to hunting, setting up in a place that would be otherwise inaccessible for a hunt, and providing some shelter from possible rain, snow, or other weather conditions.

Ground Blind Styles

There are several different styles of ground blinds available on the market from chair blinds to hub-style ground blinds in a variety of sizes for up to four people. Where spring steel ground blinds are the lightest, hub-style ground blinds offer the most durability and are a little more convenient to erect. What type of ground blind you choose is going to weigh greatly on your intended use. If multiple hunters or a cameraman and hunter are going to share the ground blind, a ground blind with a larger footprint will be more convenient.

When the intended use it to carry the ground blind in for a days’ hunt, the hunter should look for features that offer a lightweight ground blind that incorporates a carry bag with straps. The floor size should be adequate to accommodate a foldable chair and the hunter’s gear allowing at least an 180 to a 270-degree view. A standard two-person ground blind is going to have approximately a 60” x 60” shooting width and anywhere from a 54” to 64” standing height similar to the Big Game Quantum ground blind. If room for a cameraman, additional gear, or an additional hunter is required, blinds similar to the Big Game Charger ground blind with a larger shooting width is ideal.

Ground Blind Features

Ground blinds are available in numerous exterior camo patterns, and It is typical for ground blinds to have a black-backed interior to help conceal the hunter inside. Where ground blinds differ in size and height, it is also important to consider the features. Ground blind window styles will vary in features, with quiet adjustability and ease of use being the most important. Ground blind companies incorporate a combination of elastic hook closures, elastic curtain bands, zippers, magnets, Velcro, and/or elastic cord slides used in conjunction with material screen and window panels made of the same exterior material. The design height of the window can vary and should always be considered for the type of hunting you plan to do. Many ground blinds are designed with elongated corner windows for bowhunting. The more viewing and shooting adjustability a ground blind offers, the more useful the ground blind will be to the hunter. A corner back panel is used for the entrance/exit panel that incorporates a zipper for access.

Accessories

When using a ground blind, a chair will be necessary and fully adjustable, swivel chairs work the best. There are several different styles of ground blind chairs available. If you are carrying a ground blind in for a hunt and plan to put it up at the beginning of your hunt and take it down at the end of your hunt, a small folding chair such as the triangle seat chairs will offer carrying convenience but does not offer extended sitting comfort. If the hunter plans to sit extended hours or multiple days, a fully adjustable ground blind chair will be a better solution for the hunter.

The interior of the ground blind will have one or more wall pockets to store small items and hunting accessories in while in the ground blind hunting. Some ground blinds offer a bow hanging system. Other ground blind accessories are available on the market to allow hunting gear to be accessible; window shelves, bendable hanging strips for a bow or light source, and hooks.

Placement of Blinds

The placement of ground blinds is always important for a successful hunt. It is important to strategically place the ground blind where there is a wide angle of view and where the hunter will have the advantage of the best shot opportunity. It is not as critical as to brushing the ground blind in and the length of time the ground blind has been placed before commencing to hunt in the blind when turkey and hog hunting. Turkey and hog do not seem to be as leery with new ground blind placements, and often hunters are successful with a shot opportunity on the same day the ground blind was placed.

With deer and other large game, it is critical to place the ground blind inconspicuously by brushing the ground blind in to the surrounding area, all the while keeping in mind the placement for the highest shot opportunity in direct correlation with the way the game being pursued is using the area. Many ground blinds will feature a way to secure limbs to the exterior of the blind for brushing in with limbs; either with ties or banded straps. It is helpful to keep in mind where the sun will rise and set to keep from placing the ground blind where the hunter will be looking directly into the direct sun interfering with hunter’s shot.

Ground blinds will come with ground stakes, and most will include nylon tie-down cords. It is always good practice to tie down the ground blind, especially if the blind will be left unattended for any length of time or on windy days. Most ground blinds will include a zippered carrying case with straps for carrying comfort and convenience. Often these carrying bags will have a pocket to store the ground stakes and rope in. With most of the ground blind bags, the main zippered compartment can accommodate a small folding stool.

Setting a ground blind up against a tree line, dense brush, cedars, hay bale, or some other object will allow the blind to blend in. Windows should be opened only to the width to safely make a shot with the weapon being used. Pay attention to the side or back windows because a see-through silhouette will be visible to game animals approaching from the sides of the ground blind.

Maintenance

One of the first things recommended once you select a ground blind is to erect the ground blind outdoors, spray down the exterior with an anti-UV spray, paying the most attention to the roof and three-quarters of the way down the exterior walls. This anti-UV spray will protect the color and finish of the exterior of the ground blind. After the anti-UV spray has been applied per the manufacturer’s instructions and has dried completely, a water repelling spray should be applied to the entire roof and the portion of the ground blind that would be likely to leak; typically to the top of the windows. This treatment will assist in repelling water. For seams and stitching holes, shoe goop can be applied to those areas sealing the holes from leaks keeping hunters and gear dry inside. Shoe Goop is a rubber type adhesive that dries to a pliable finish on nylon, canvas, plastic, and rubber. Make certain all areas applied are completely dried before folding down the ground blind for storage.

If it is ever necessary to pack the ground blind in the field wet from rainy weather, it is imperative to erect the ground blind for drying as soon as possible after the hunt to inhibit mold and to keep the blind materials from deteriorating. If the weather is not cooperative to set the blind up for air drying within a 24-48 hour period, the ground blind should be taken out of the carrying case and any water found should be wiped away with a dry towel.

If the ground blind zippers get mud in them, the zippers should be rinsed well with water by a direct stream of a water bottle with sprayer or spritzer top and dried off. If you find that the zippers are hard to zip and unzip, you can use unscented bar soap or a glycerin bar on the zipper teeth allowing the zipper to glide easier.

If a hunter is traveling to hunt public or private land, it is always a good idea to load a ground blind up for the trip; you may find the perfect hunting spot that does not work well with a stand. If unexpected weather arises, a ground blind could save the hunt. Utilizing a ground blind while introducing a new hunter or youth hunter to hunting; allowing more concealment and giving the mentor the option of to assist a youth with the shot. Erecting a ground blind will offer a hunter a viable solution in saving the hunter valuable hunting hours versus taking the time to erect a stand. There are many reasons to consider a ground blind for hunting that far outweighs the small inconvenience of carrying the ground blind in, setting it up, brushing it in, and having to take it down after the hunt. Adding a quality ground blind to a hunter’s gear inventory will prove to be a wise investment for a practical, viable solution for hard to hunt areas, high traffic areas not suitable for stands, when extra concealment is necessary, or cover for those days with not so favorable forecasts.

Protected: Planning Tree Stand Placement in the Spring

April 28, 2017/Enter your password to view comments./in Under REVIEW! Invite Only /by Stone Road

Clover Food Plot and Tree Stand Placement Tips

April 24, 2017/0 Comments/in Fixed Position, Got Game Blog /by Stone Road

Hunting Clover Plots | Tree Stand Strategies

Spring is in the air and chasing white-tailed deer is likely the last thing on your mind, however, the spring months offer those who have a passion for deer hunting an opportunity to fine-tune the placement and positions of their deer stands. Deer hunting is a sport that requires a “trial and error” approach in order to be successful. Just about the time you think you have checked all the boxes, and you have your tree stand placed perfectly, and you have done your due diligence to address all of the variables, something unforeseen arises and it is back to the drawing board. Though it may seem frustrating, the constant grind that comes with punching a tag only helps to make success even sweeter and often teaches us a thing or two that we can apply to future hunts.

Tree stand placement is often a product of two things, the type of area you are hunting (funnel, bedding area, food source, etc.) and the available cover that you have to place a tree stand. These are certainly the “big bucket” concepts that most white-tailed deer hunters tend to adhere to, however, not taking the time to truly analyze the circumstances can often lead to mistakes being made. Often, tree stand placement along with other aspects of your overall hunting strategy can be fine-tuned if you are willing to take the time to dive a little deeper into the “when” and “where”.

Tree Stand Placement Tips

Spring is food plot season, and as such, clover food plots are usually the first thing on hunter’s minds. For good reason! Clover plots, if placed and hunted correctly can serve as perfected kill plots. Take this tree stand placement and clover plot tips into consideration.

Not Every Set Is Created Equal

Would ever you wear football pads to a baseball game? Hopefully, the answer is no! The point is that both football and baseball are competitive sports that are very similar. They both involve a team, they both occur on a field, and they both utilize a ball. Though they are similar, they couldn’t be any more different. The same can be said for each of your tree stand sets. Though you are hunting white-tailed deer from each location and set, each location and set are different in its own way. If you make the mistake of treating each of your tree stands as if they are exactly like the other, then chances are you are missing opportunities to fine tune your tree stand placement and add to add a few more tally marks to your harvest totals at the end of the year.

The Devil is in the Details

Sometimes, identifying the differences between tree stand sets can be tough. For example, if you have tree stands placed in a wooded draw on one side of the property, and a tree stand placed in a wooded draw on the other side of the property, you might argue that there is nothing that separates the two from each other, and in some cases you would likely be correct. That said, the devil is often in the details so before you make your assumptions that all tree stands sets placed in similar cover types are the same, here are a few thoughts to keep in mind.

Timing

The old saying “timing is everything” is certainly true when it comes to how you place and when you hunt your tree stand. Certain sets may see very little activity during the early part of the season, but turn on during the rut or late season. Likewise, you may have certain areas of your property that deer do not specifically use all the time, however, will pass through during certain periods of the year. It is scenarios such as these that separate the wooded draw on the east side of the farm from the wooded draw on the west.

Cover

Placing a tree stand is one thing, and hunting from it is certainly another. Understanding the timing in regards to when certain tree stands sets will likely have the most activity and when food plots are attractive can help you understand what your needs will be in terms of concealment. For example, if you are hunting a travel lane food plot such as a funnel or wooded draw staging area, that is exposed between crop or CRP, then the overhead cover is likely at a premium. Additionally, of you have an area like this that you tend to spend more time in after leaf drop, then you may want to keep the saw in the pack and resist the urge to cut too many branches out of the way. It is important to have a shooting lane, however, concealment is equally so.

On the other hand, if you find yourself hunting an early season set when the trees are still in full canopy, then you can likely get away with far more trimming and even a little more movement while in the stand than you could later in the year. Though many white-tailed deer hunters will say that they consider these points while placing their tree stands, it is important to spend some time to really consider them. If you slow down and spend some time truly evaluate your surroundings and understand the “big picture”, you just be surprised at how your original location will slide to the back seat and something new will jump out in front.

Placement over Clover Plots

Deer hunting over a green browse plot such as a clover plot is truly a special thing. There is just something about seeing a white-tailed deer cast against the lush, green vegetation of a clover plot that can get the blood pumping in the chest of any deer hunter. Clover plots provide an excellent opportunity to not only see a lot of deer during the early part of the deer season but to also catch a big mature buck prior to the rut. Green browse such as clovers provide white-tailed deer with an unbelievable source of nutrition, and with little effort on the part of the hunter, can produce an immense amount of biomass, most clovers reaching from 2,000- 3,000 lbs per acre, to help feed a large number of deer on any given farm.

Hunting over a food source such as a clover plot may seem fairly straightforward, however, when it comes to tree stand placement over these areas it can be a little trickier than you might it might appear.

Is it Early Season Hunting?

Hunting over a clover plot is typically early to mid-season activity. These areas can still produce white-tailed deer activity at all times of the year, however, once the season turns colder deer will begin to seek out forages that are more suitable for the conditions. It is important to keep in mind the conditions that you will be faced with when hunting during the early season as you begin to identify potential tree stand locations. As was mentioned previously, the foliage during the early to middle part of the season tends to be fuller. This is both a positive and a negative. It is a positive in that you should have plenty of covers to help you stay hidden and concealed, however, keep your shooting lanes clear and open can sometimes be very problematic and require attention many times throughout the offseason. The spring months are an excellent time to get out and begin considering tree stand locations and evaluating your shooting lanes.

Entry and Exit

One of the positive aspects of hunting a food plot that consists of forages like clover is that while mornings and evenings are likely the most active feeding times, white-tailed deer can and will literally utilize these areas at almost any point during the day. This unpredictability can also be a negative, as it can put extra emphasis on your entry and exit strategy. It is always important to have a way in and a way out of your stand that will keep you quiet and concealed. With a food plot such as a clover plot, this certainly the case, and then some. White-tailed deer will not only utilize these areas at any given point during the day but often will bed close by if suitable cover exists. It can be very challenging to make your way into these areas without bumping deer if you have neglected to do your legwork up front. Additionally, if and when you find yourself enjoying an evening hunt over a clover plot, be prepared to stay until last light. White-tailed deer, especially if they are unpressured, will tend to spend the majority of the evening in these plots, which can make it exceptionally difficult to exit without being seen. This helps to further emphasize the importance of an entry and exit strategy when hunting over your clover plot.

Scent Control

When placing a tree stand, a good rule of thumb is to not be any higher than you absolutely need to be. The height of tree stand is often a result of the location, the time of year it will be hunting and the concealment that is available. During the early season months, temperatures will often still be on the warm side. These humid conditions can greatly increase even the slightest odor, and can quickly cause you to be pinpointed. Early season food plots such as clover plots are areas where you may consider increasing the height of your set if that is an option. Increasing the height of your tree stand will help you with your scent control efforts, in addition to increasing your visibility. Just remember that there is no second chance for safety first, so always use a harness no matter if you are hunting from 10’ or 25’, a fall from a tree stand is serious so treat it as such.

Edge Effect

When it comes to deer hunting over clover plots, there is no question about where the deer prefer to be, and that is often the center of the plot. This is often the result of a couple of factors, the first being what is known as the “edge effect”. The edge effect is a term that applies the edges of a food plot or crop field being less productive than they middle or center of the plot. This is typically caused by either a fertility issue or as a result of the nearby trees either shading out the clover or simply outcompeting the clover for nutrients. The key factor here is that this, ensuring that you have your tree stand set within shooting distance of the major entry and/or exit point of the plot is important. Often, white-tailed deer will head straight for the most productive area of the clover plot, and if you are not ready to strike quickly, you may have to result to simply watching deer rather than shooting one.

If you take a few these tips into consideration it will likely help you to not only recognize factors variables related to tree stand placement that perhaps you had not in the past, but they will certainly help you to be more successful in the white-tailed deer woods this fall.

The Unsung Heros of Hunting| Hunting Accessories

April 4, 2017/0 Comments/in Got Game Blog /by Stone Road

Hunting Accessories | Critical Items You Need While Hunting

Feature Photo Credit: Joe Diestel

There is nothing better than enjoying an April sunrise from the comfort and seclusion of your favorite ground blind or tree, just as spending a November morning nestled in your best deer stand is also a magical experience. Whether you are chasing spring turkeys or white-tailed deer hunting, taking to the woods in search of wild game requires you to be prepared for any situation. These hunting accessories are the unsung heroes of the woods, critical to making your hunting experience top notch.

Shop Hunting Accessories

Talkin’ Turkey | Turkey Hunting Accessories

Spring is well underway and soon it will be time to dust off the shotgun and hit the woods to do some turkey hunting. Anyone who has chased spring turkeys will quickly tell you that turkey hunting is a gear-intensive activity that can often require one hunter to carry multiple hunting accessories with them on a daily basis. The reason is simple, you want to be prepared. Turkey hunting can sometimes be a game of seconds, so when success is on the line you need to ensure that you have what it takes to get the job done.

There is no doubt that hunting from a ground blind is effective when it comes to turkey hunting. That said, many turkey hunters much prefer to “run and gun” which makes hunting from a pop-up blind difficult to accomplish. If you fall into this category, you have no doubt found yourself in a situation where the elements have felt as though they are stacked against you. Springtime often means frequent rain events, and there is nothing worse than finally getting close to a gobbler only to have the rain set in. When this occurs, you really have two options. You can either wait him out and get soaked in the process, or you can leave. Neither sounds all that appealing. Luckily, you can do something about it!

A pop-up umbrella system is not only effective in the deer stand, but it is also effective in the turkey woods. The umbrella can quickly attach to your tree and can be set up with little sound and movement required. The umbrella system in combination with one of our ground seats will be the ultimate small and compact combination that can easily fit into any pack or vest and should always be part of your turkey hunting accessory list!

Deer Hunting Accessories

Whether bow hunting or rifle hunting, the modern day deer stand has features to not only keep you comfortable and concealed but can also help improve your chances of punching a tag on your hit list buck. Today, deer stands come in all shapes and all sizes. What once consisted of a few 2 x 4’s, nails and a few railroad spikes now consists of ladder stands, hang-on stands, two-man ladder stands, climbing stands and this list goes on from there. Today’s deer stand is generally lighter, stronger and more durable than deer stands of even two years ago. As a group, hunters a generally not given the credit they deserve in terms of innovation and improvements that they continue to make in the field of deer stands and hunting products.

Pack Fillers

Selecting a deer stand in like selecting a car, it’s a personal decision that is based upon your needs and desires. While the type of deer stand that a hunter might choose may vary, the list of accessories that typically fills their pack will certainly vary from deer hunter to deer hunter. Who ever said that deer hunting was not and accessory driven activity was mistaken, as today’s deer hunter typically has enough equipment and gear to fill almost any field pack on the market.

Although there are certainly a number of items that a deer hunter can carry in their packs to help them attract a mature buck to their location, often there are the additional “pack fillers” that also add to the overall success of the trip. These items are the unsung heroes of most deer hunting experiences, and while these items may often be overlooked make no mistake, these items can greatly improve your hunting experience while in the deer stand and can ensure that you are ready to go when the opportunity arises.

An Extra Hand

Unlike buying a house or a new truck, there is only so much storage that a deer stand can offer. That said, regardless if you are archery hunting or rifle hunting, white-tailed deer hunting generally requires the hunter to have plenty of gear on hand. Here in lies the problem, as there is only so much room on the deer stand platform.

Whether it is an extra tow rope, a multi-hook accessory holder or a multi-hanger, having the ability to have those critical pieces of deer hunting hardware out and available at arm’s reach is important. Sometimes we can all use an extra hand, and each of these items can provide you with just that. The best feature that each of these items can offer the deer hunter is they are light and can be neatly tucked away in any hunting pack. They take up very little space, but can really save the day when called upon. If you don’t have at least one of these items in your hunting pack, then you’re missing the boat.

Clearing the Path

Maybe you are hunting a new piece of property, public land or maybe you are just hunting a deer stand that you haven’t hunted in a while, regardless of the circumstances having a limb right in the way of your best shooting lane is a problem. While a multi-tool can tackle the small stuff, they are typically outmatched for limbs that are much larger than your pinky finger.

Having a reliable pair of pruning shears at your disposal is nothing short of a life saver. A set of ratcheting shears can enable you to tackle a problematic limb that is large in size while to remaining concealed and quite. A good set of shears can also be critical in helping you freshen up that old ground blind or ground set, and the best part, they take up about the same amount of room as two decks of playing cards. Having a folding saw is better than nothing, but having a good set of shears will trump almost any alternative, and should find their way into your deer hunting pack before next season.

Marking the Way Home

Everything looks different in the dark. No matter if you have hunted the same area a hundred times, or if you are looking at a brand new property, heading to your deer stand before daylight or making your way to the truck after sunset can sometimes be a challenge. The last thing that any white-tailed deer hunter wants to do, especially if there is a big buck in the area, is go beating through the brush trying to find their way.

Having a clearly marked trail is an excellent way to ensure that scenario doesn’t occur, and utilizing reflective trail markers or trail marking tacks in certainly one way to accomplish this goal. These reflectors will shine with even the lowest of light, allowing you to remain silent and move quickly to your location. In addition to helping you find your way to and from your stand, utilizing these reflectors when blood trailing a deer after daylight can also pay great dividends in determining the path of the animal while also allowing you to easily retrace your steps if you happen to lose the trail. Best of all, these reflectors take up virtually no room, but can certainly be a lifesaver when in the field.

Before you take out to the deer stand on your next deer hunting adventure, be sure to take inventory of your hunting pack. If you happen to find that these three items are absent, hit the store and rectify the situation. You’ll be glad you did!

DIY Game Processing Tools to Save Money

December 23, 2016/0 Comments/in Got Game Blog /by Stone Road

This is How to Do Your Own Game Processing

We get it. It’s so much easier to just drop a deer off at a butcher to take care of your game processing for you. We’re all strapped for time, especially during deer hunting season. But do you really know you’re getting your own venison back? This is not to discredit the butcher business because there are some great and reputable local deer butchers near everyone. But there are also some individuals who might just toss all the meat processing together with the next guy who gut shot his deer and let it sit for days before bringing it in. If you really care about the meat you actually harvested from the deer, it’s so much better and fulfilling to do your own game processing at home.

Plus, it ultimately makes far more sense financially to do it yourself instead of bringing it to someone else. The average price of processing a deer fully (including skinning, butchering, and packaging) is about $75 to $100 per deer. If you save the money you would spend on processing two deer, that’s enough to buy all these game processing tools easily. And if you really think about it, every two deer after that is like a free tree stand. If that doesn’t convince you, what will?

Good Game Processing Starts in the Field

As with anything, the more care you invest in the front-end of butchering a deer, the better the meat will turn out. A poorly cared for deer will yield some off-tasting venison, and it all starts in the tree stand. Whether you recently tagged a doe for the freezer or you’re chasing a post-rut buck right now, making a good shot is critical to not spoil the meat. A gut-shot deer will often take hours to expire, and some unpleasant things can happen during that time. Stomach content can spread throughout the body cavity, which can then spread further once you field dress them and taint the meat. It’s obvious, but you need to make the best shot you can by practicing and being proficient with whatever weapon you’re using, and being very careful about field dressing a deer. Dragging your deer across the ground can also impact the meat slightly. If possible, place them into a sled or carry the carcass as much as possible.

Another huge consideration is the temperature. If you’re hunting the late season where the temperatures are below freezing, you don’t need to worry. But if it’s an early season hunt or you’re down south, you need to move quickly after shooting. Field dress the animal as quickly as you can and spread the rib cage apart to start cooling the chest cavity. If it’s above 60 degrees, you should skin the deer as soon as possible. The hide really insulates the meat well and can cause some spoilage if not taken care of quickly. Before you do that, you might want to hang the deer on a dial scale to see its field dressed weight.

Once you get your deer back home or to your camp, you should skin the deer if you haven’t already. This is made easier with the Magnum Lift System, which allows you to easily hoist even the heaviest deer up to eye level instead of straining your back to bend over. Insert the heavy-duty gambrel into the deer’s hind legs and start lifting it up. Starting at the 3whind legs, slowly remove the hide by peeling and making select cuts where it gets stuck. Skinning a deer that has been recently killed is easy, but one that has aged a few days or been frozen will require a little more effort. The skinning tool makes it a non-issue with powerful teeth that grip the hide.

How to Quarter a Deer

Once the carcass is bare, it’s time to start quartering it up into basic pieces. You don’t need a lot of fancy game processing equipment or accessories either; simply gather some knives, a sharpener, a cutting board, and some butcher paper.

If the deer is still up on the lift system, start by removing the backstraps and tenderloins. These are the choicest cuts on a deer, by most hunters’ estimates. The tenderloins are located on the inside of the cavity beneath the spine towards the hips. They are 8 to 12 inches long and should pull out with some minor cutting on each edge. The back straps are located along each edge of the spine sitting on top of the ribs. Start your cut down each side of the spine from neck to rump. Then make a cut perpendicular to the spine near the neck to start it. Slowly work your way down the spine, cutting in small increments. Eventually, the muscle will start to pull away on its own with some minor cutting. Continue all the way down to the rump area. These two back straps are very versatile (and delicious) later on.

Next, move onto the front legs. Use a sharp set of meat processing knives and cut under the armpit area towards the spine, following the rib cage. They are only connected via muscle tissue, so they will come off easily. Use a hack saw to remove the lower leg. Place each front leg on a table lined with some butcher paper. Then work on the neck meat by basically unwrapping it from the spine.

Now it’s time to remove the rear legs. Basically fold them backward and start cutting the meat until you expose the ball and socket hip joint. Pop it out of place and continue cutting the meat until it separates from the pelvis. Again, saw the lower leg off. At this point, you could also remove the ribs from a fresh deer and pick away here and there. But it’s mostly ready for final processing.

The Nitty Gritty of Game Processing

Now you should be able to take the quartered pieces and start turning it into real cuts of meat for eating. The easiest way to do this is to refer to a good deer processing chart, which will show you where to get each cut of meat from the deer. For each cut, take the time you need to really trim the silver skin membrane and sinew from every piece, which will really enhance the quality of the meat. Basically, you will get a few roasts from the hind legs and potentially the front shoulder or neck. You can leave the back straps whole to roast or smoke, or cut them into thick steaks for grilling. You’ll get a lot of steaks from the hind quarters too. Most of the remaining meat can be ground for hamburger, sausage, or jerky. This might seem a little picky, but you really can’t mess anything up. If you accidentally cut up a roast, you’ll have more steaks and will learn for next time. If you really like sausage, you could grind every scrap on the carcass using simple home meat processing equipment. As long as you’ll eat it, it’s a good deer processing option.

There’s really no wrong way to do your own game processing as long as you keep quality meat at the front of your mind and spend a little extra time on it. The satisfaction of eating a meal you killed and processed yourself is well worth the effort involved.

post-rut-stand-locations | Big Game Treestands

Post Rut Whitetails | Switching Up Stand Locations

December 2, 2016/0 Comments/in Got Game Blog /by Big Game

Post Rut Deer Hunting | Stand Locations

No question the rut is an exciting time to be in the deer stand. There is not a better time to put a big mature whitetail on the ground than during the months of late October and early November. Although many whitetail hunters will experience the thrill of punching tag on a November whitetail, the rut is anything but a guarantee. So what do you do when things don’t play out the way you had hoped, and you find yourself staring the end of the rut directly in the face? The answer is simple; you gear up for post rut whitetails!

There are those who say that whitetail hunting simply doesn’t get any better than during sweet November, however, there are a growing number of whitetail hunters that are beginning to see the advantages of hunting mature whitetail bucks during the post-rut, and on into the late season. Many appreciate the new set of challenges that come with hunting and harvesting a post-rut whitetail buck, while others really enjoy hunting whitetail deer during the frigid, late season cold when there is a several inches of fresh white snow on the ground. One thing is for certain, hunting post rut and/or late season whitetail deer is certainly different than chasing them during the rut.

So What’s the Difference?

One of the most exciting aspects of hunting a mature whitetail buck is simply seeing how their patterns and focus change over the course of the fall. From the early season where bucks can sometimes tend to still be in their bachelor groups, keying in on early season forages all the way through the rut and into the post rut. For many that are what makes whitetail deer so exciting to chase, you have to stay abreast of what the deer are doing and adjust your hunting strategies accordingly.

So, to effectively hunt and harvest a post-rut whitetail buck you need to first understand what is going on in the world of the deer during this time. First and foremost, it is important to keep in mind that the process of going through the rut is very hard on both bucks and does (albeit a little harder on the buck) and both handle the adversity in a little different way, moving into the post rut. During the post rut, does tend to become solitary, though sometimes last year’s fawn will still be close by, by the time the rut rolls around they have generally run last year fawns off and are solely focused on breeding. Once bred, the doe will begin to build up her body as best she can in preparation for the winter and to ensure that she is in optimal condition comes spring.

Bucks, on the other hand, will continue to roam the countryside in search of the last remaining doe in estrous that they can find. Occasionally, does that come into estrous late can sometimes spark what has become known as the “second rut”. This can be an excellent time to catch a big mature buck on his feet, cruising for does even long after the end of the official rut. Opportunities like the “second rut” can sometimes come and go quickly, so it is important to keep running your trail cameras throughout the rut and on into the postseason. This information can give you some insight as to whether you have a hot doe in the area, which can help you determine if you current stand locations are still appropriate or if you need to begin making the change into a post rut/late season hunting strategy.

Second rut aside, during the post-rut whitetail bucks are simply worn down. They have spent the last four weeks or so roaming the countryside in search of does. They have expended a vast amount of energy on rutting, fighting, and breeding with very little time spent on resting and foraging. As the rut ends and the post-rut begins, the buck will still show some interest in sparring and fighting. Calling techniques such as light rattle and some grunting can still be effective, though you want to be sure to keep in light and infrequent. As the post rut transition, whitetail deer, and especially bucks will begin to focus on rebuilding their body reserves that have been depleted during the rut. As a result, hunting food sources can be absolutely stellar during the post rut and on into the late season.

Post Rut Stand Locations

There varying opinions on post rut stand locations, however; there are two areas that have proven to be very effective for putting post rut bucks on the ground year after year after year. So if you are planning to hit the woods in search of a post rut buck, here are some areas that you may consider moving your Big Game tree stands to.

Major Trails, Close to Bedding Areas

When you are talking about a post rut buck, you are talking about an animal that is not going to have a whole lot of energy to spare. As a matter of fact, a post rut buck is going to look for every opportunity they can to find a secure bedding area that is typically close to a food source such a grain fields or turnip plot. If you think about it, it only makes sense that in order for a deer to build up a severely depleted reserve of protein and carbohydrates, they would try to be a close as they can safely be to the food source, in order to limit the amount of energy burned in travel from bedding to food.

Though post rut bucks will tend to be very reclusive, they typically will not be too sneaky in terms of using secondary trials to get from point A to point B. They will choose the path of least resistance in order to conserve energy and rebuild their reserves. One of the best stand locations that you can have to try to hunt and harvest a post-rut whitetail is along a major trail that is very close to cover or bedding. These sets can produce excellent results, especially later during the post rut as the weather begins to deteriorate. These sets, while productive do come with their set of challenges namely the entry and exit for the hunter. Often, for these sets to be successful the hunter will need to get as close as possible to the buck bedding area. This can often prove to be very difficult so ensuring that you have effective entry and exit route that you can use relatively noise free is critical. Likewise, only entering these areas with the proper wind is key to success. Once you bump a post rut buck, it can sometimes be difficult to locate them again.

Food, Food, and More Food

You have probably sensed that this topic was coming throughout the majority of this article, but the importance of high energy foods to a post-rut whitetail cannot be overstated. It is something that they absolutely need for survival and is something that they will actively be seeking out once the rut has come to an end.

While the end of the rut will drive whitetails to seek out nutritious forages like corn and soybeans as well as turnips and radishes, the harsh weather conditions of the late season can also drive these deer to key in on these late season food sources.

Hunting food plots or grain fields are excellent options for post rut whitetails, both with archery and firearm equipment. If you are hunting the wide open expanses of a grain field, where you can see for a great distance, a tower blind or tripod stand can be just what the doctor ordered. These stands can keep you comfortable and concealed while giving you the ability to see and shoot from a great distance.

If you are planning to take after a post-rut whitetail with archery equipment or you just want to get up close and personal, then a solid hang-on or ladder stand placed close to the main trail into or out of the food plot can be deadly on post rut whitetails.

The number one take home point is that it is important to remember is that a deer’s behavior changes throughout the year. You cannot expect to be successful hunting the same stand that you hunt during the early part of the year during the post rut. Sure, we all have those go-to spots that produce year after year regardless of the time of year it is, but the need to constantly move your stand locations based on the time of year can often be the missing factor for many hunters, and being reluctant to do so can often result in eat tag soup rather than backstrap. If you hit the woods in pursuit of post rut whitetails, keep these stand locations in mind and with a little luck, you will punch a tag on a late season bruiser.

essential tree stand gear hunting accessories | Big Game Treestands

Which Hunting Accessories Do You Really Need?

October 13, 2016/1 Comment/in Climbers, Fixed Position, Got Game Blog, Ground Blinds, Ladder Stand /by Big Game

The Ultimate Essential Gear and Hunting Accessories to Bring to the Tree

The topic of “essential hunting gear” is often pretty controversial. Everyone has their own opinion of what item deserves a spot in their hunting backpack, and as a result, the conversation can be hotly contested. The key is in knowing which hunting accessories and gear are truly essential and which are comfort items. The first category are things that you literally couldn’t hunt without, either because you didn’t have the necessary tools or couldn’t stay in the tree stand long enough to see a deer anyway. Then there are just “nice-to-have” items, which might keep you slightly more entertained or maybe offer a slightly more comfortable sit. Knowing the difference between the two is critical if you have to hike into your hunt (e.g., during a backcountry hunting trip) or simply don’t have much room in your tree stand. In these cases, you need to eliminate the unnecessary items as much as possible. We’ll only discuss the items that will offer a distinct advantage to you on your next hunt, and are therefore considered essential.

Naturally, the essential gear and hunting accessories you need will depend on what kind of hunt you’re doing and what season you’re in. An early September hunt for antelope on the Great Plains will require very different hunting equipment than a late December hunt for northern Wisconsin whitetails. The further north you go, the higher in elevation, or the later in the season you hunt, the more warm clothing options you’ll need. On the opposite side of the coin (e.g., southern regions or early season hunts), you’ll need lighter, sweat-wicking clothing to keep you cool and dry. For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume we’re hunting deer in the middle of the country in the early season to mid-season time frame of October (i.e., right now). Use this as a starting point and adapt your hunting gear list to your conditions and specific type of hunt.

Types of Essential Deer Hunting Equipment and Hunting Accessories

For easier reading and organization, we’ve divided the different pieces of hunting gear for whitetail deer into separate buckets, if you will. From clothing to weapons to other necessities, we’ve got you covered. Take a glance through the different categories and see how your deer hunting supplies list stacks up before it’s time to head to the woods.

Hunting Weapon-Related Gear

Depending on when the seasons open in different states, a mid-October time frame almost certainly includes bow hunting, but it may also include gun season. Either way, if you’re not bringing a bow, crossbow, rifle, or shotgun to the woods with you, you’re probably not going to fill your tag. But if you forget your corresponding ammunition at home, you’re also going to go nowhere fast. Almost every hunter has at one point forgotten their ammo in the garage and had a very uneventful day because of it. Always keep your arrows in your bow case or carry an extra box of ammunition in your backpack throughout the hunting season to ensure you’ll be able to keep hunting. And if you’re bow hunting, you might also want to keep an extra release in your coat pocket…don’t act like you haven’t forgotten it before!

Bow, crossbow, rifle, or shotgun;
Arrows, bolts, cartridges, or shells, respectively;
Case to transport your weapon;
Release (for bow hunting).

Hunting Clothing Items

As we mentioned, clothing requirements will vary across the country and between people. Some folks run hot and some run cold. But there are some basic types of clothing that you can scale up or down. What we mean is that you can add or subtract layers or use warmer or cooler versions to get you where you need to be. The pattern of your hunting clothes is also important, as some states and seasons require you to use blaze orange, while others approve of camouflage clothing. Make sure you know which one you need. When you’re deer hunting, you also need to pay attention to your scent; more specifically, you need to hunt without it. That makes scent elimination clothing so important. In no particular order:

Hat (visor to keep the sun out of eyes or stocking cap to keep head warm);
Base layers (to wick sweat away from skin);
Insulating layers (adjust for your situation);
Shell layer (water and wind resistant to keep your other layers dry and protected);
Rain gear (for when the skies really open up);
Socks (regardless of season or location, wool socks will be a valuable gear item);
Hunting boots (appropriate to keep your feet warm and dry);
Gloves (hunting with cold hands is miserable and dangerous).

Tree Stand-Related Gear

Given the title of this article, we’re assuming you are indeed going to end up in a tree stand at some point. You’ll obviously need to bring that with you, as well as any miscellaneous straps, ropes, chains, locks, or ladder sections to actually hang it and climb into it. Depending on what kind of hunting you’ll be doing, you may want a slightly different type of tree stand. Climbing tree stands and hang-on tree stands are great for staying mobile and keeping the deer guessing. But ladder stands and box blinds are reliable stands that you can return to with no work involved. If your feet will be leaving the ground, you really should also be using a safety harness to ensure that an unexpected departure from the stand doesn’t end up badly for you. Always stay connected to the tree using a harness and safety line. Safety equipment should never be considered as hunting accessories.

Tree stand (ladder stand, climbing stand, hang on stands, etc.);
Quick-Stick ladder sections (if a hang on stand);
Miscellaneous straps (for attaching your tree stand);
Chains, cables, and locks (to secure your stand from would-be thieves);
Safety harness with a safety
Tree hooks for bow, gear, and backpacks

Other Necessary Hunting Accessories

After all of the gear above, it might seem like you’re fairly covered and couldn’t carry anything else into the woods with you anyway. But there are a few other hunting accessories you really need to make your hunt more productive. Assuming you actually get a deer, you’re absolutely going to need a knife to field dress it. It’s also just useful to have in the woods to help with cutting rope or cord or marking your license. A set of high-quality optics is also critical for noticing deer before they notice you. Depending on the area you’re hunting in, you might not have a good spot to really glass a long distance (e.g., dense conifer forest, etc.). But it is really handy to assess a buck from a distance to see if he’s a shooter or not before he gets close enough to see you moving. A range finder is also critical for laser-accurate bow shots. Unless you are committed to getting in and out of the woods quickly during the day, you should carry a flashlight or headlamp with you. If you’ve ever been in the woods once darkness falls, you know it’s a completely different world. Even if you’ve been hunting the same area for years and spent all day studying every single trail and tree from your stand, you can lose your way in a split second once you’re on the ground. Carry a light with you. You can partially eliminate the issue of getting lost by marking your trail using reflective tacks or markers too.

When it comes to getting closer to deer (or bringing them closer to you, more accurately), you need to pull out all the hunting accessories. Using whitetail deer calls and convincing scents will drastically increase your chance at encountering a nice buck. When used in combination, they can fool a buck into thinking there is a doe in heat hanging around, which is almost guaranteed to interest him. This is especially useful in mid-October, which is typically the pre-rut period. No matter what clothing you’re wearing, you can still pick up scents from your truck or ATV, so always spray everything with a scent elimination product before you head into the woods and when you get to your tree stand.

Then there are all the other necessary items that make your life easier. A 20-foot length of rope or paracord is really helpful for many things in the woods, from hauling deer, hanging a tarp, or pulling your hunting accessories up into your tree stand with you. However, it’s more convenient to use a Magna Lift for hoisting gear up into your stand. Many hunters often forget (or willingly neglect) to drink enough water while sitting in a tree stand all day, but it’s critical to bring a water bottle or canteen with to stay hydrated. Since many people start their mornings with the aid of coffee, you’ll find that you’re suddenly very dehydrated in the middle of the day. And you can’t think clearly when you’re dehydrated. The same thing goes for food. If you don’t snack throughout the day, your blood sugar will plummet and so will your reasoning, patience, and strength. You should always have a folding saw in your hunting pack because a near-perfect tree for a climbing tree stand could be made perfect by just trimming a few branches. Finally, keep some toilet paper in a plastic bag in your pack. Don’t learn the hard way. Enough said.

Fixed blade or folding knife (field dressing, general purpose, etc.);
Binoculars;
Range-finder;
Headlamp or flashlight;
Reflective tacks and markers;
Doe can call and buck grunt call;
Doe in estrous scent and buck urine scent;
Scent eliminating spray;
Rope/cord/Magna Lift (for hauling deer or hoisting gear);
Water bottle and snacks;
Folding hand saw
Toilet paper.

It might seem crazy once you lay all of these items out that you could possibly bring them all into the woods with you. But these hunting accessories and gear items are important to help you stay comfortable all day and improve your hunting success. If you’re comfortable and content, you’ll be more likely to stay in the woods for the long haul until you can put a deer down. Will you need every one of these items on every single hunt? Maybe not. But when you do need them, you’ll need them in a bad way. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

tree stand umbrellas deer hunting foul weather | Big Game Treestands

Tree Stand Umbrellas | Deer Hunting In Foul Weather

July 20, 2016/0 Comments/in Got Game Blog /by Big Game

Deer Hunting in Bad Weather with Tree Stand Umbrellas

Year after year, whitetail hunters will endure many trials and tribulations throughout the season. Highs and lows, misses and hits, busted hunts and successful hunts. While these are normal for a whitetail hunter to endure nothing compares to the one thing hunters deal with on a daily basis….the weather. Deer hunting in foul weather is not fun. High winds, rain, sleet, snow, and/or hail is all weather that deer hunter’s battle. You know it is coming this deer season, there is no way to avoid it, so the best thing you can do it plan for it by grabbing tree stand umbrellas. When the tree is swaying, the rain is sideways, and you’re getting cold, tree stand umbrellas could be your saving grace.

Predicting the Weather

If you are a deer hunter, you most likely dislike, potentially swear at the weather man quite often. Predicating the weather is hard and yes nearly impossible from the inaccuracies of weather channels and the news channels. As whitetail hunters it is good to be prepared as much as we can, and as much as we hate it, it means relying on the most accurate information you can get. Most deer hunters in this case turn to Weather Underground. This can show a hunter everything he needs to know to plan and go hunting. This includes, temperatures, pressure, precipitation, wind speed, and most importantly wind direction. This allows hunters to not only look at the weather but plan hunts based off of patterns and opportunities like cold fronts. These can be noticed by a drop in temperature, rise in pressure which often give rise to deer activity and a harvest opportunity. These cold fronts are especially important to take advantage of during October.

While these patterns are key to focus on, nothing is for certain and more times than not predictions are wrong especially when hunters are relying on them to be extremely accurate. So when the day comes that there is a cold front but you see a high chance of rain, the question isn’t if it’s going to rain, but is it worth deer hunting in that foul weather?

Tree Stand Concealment

Is Deer Hunting in Foul Weather Worth It?

We can’t believe you just asked that question! When is deer hunting not worth it? To be fair, freezing temps, sleet, and a recipe for hypothermia might be a bad time to deer hunt. These problems can be solved with tree stand umbrellas, but is it even worth the trouble? Overall you will be dealing with 2 times of weather that you may not want to hunt in, rain and snow.

Deer Hunting In Rain

Rain, and rain accompanied by high winds is by far the most unfavorable hunting to do. It can be extremely frustrating for opening weekend to have solid rain in the forecast. As much as you hate the forecast your inner hunter pushes you to go out. The real question is simply “is it worth it”? The answer depends. Hunters often misunderstand deer activity, mostly missing that deer are an awful lot like us in regards to weather and activity. Absolute downpours and thunderstorms will have both you and deer hunkered down. However, deer get spooky with high winds and rain, meaning at any moment deer could be busted from their bed and taken advantage of. Mostly deer will hunker down, but there are always possibilities when deer hunting in foul weather.

Light rain and overcast/dreary weather conditions is an entirely different story. Deer hunting in foul weather like a soft light misting rain that can soak everything slowly, is actually a great time to hunt. The overcast and darker sky allows deer the comfort to stay out later in the morning and come out earlier in the evening.

Deer Hunting In Snow

Deer hunting in foul weather such as rain, wind, and pure nastiness is one thing, deer hunting in snow is entirely different. For anyone that has ever experienced it, deer hunting in late winter during a snow event is one of the most relaxing/majestic sights you will lay your eyes on while whitetail hunting. There is just something about the dead quiet snowfall and beauty of it that makes you completely zone out. Snow is quite different than rain, especially heavy snowfall. With heavy snow, deer become more prone to visiting standing crops like corn and beans. Theses food sources are above the snow and are easy pickings. Food plots and food sources like late season standing beans or corn can set the stage for hunts that have some of the highest likelihood for seeing mature bucks during daylight and getting a chance to harvest them.

It can be wonderful and can produce great results especially when hunting over the right areas, but only if you can keep the snow off of you and stay in the tree stand!

Tree Stand Umbrellas

So is deer hunting during foul weather conditions worth it? Absolutely, but only if you can stay out in the tree stand. For that you need special equipment and tree stand accessories, more specifically tree stand umbrellas.

The Pop-up Umbrella

-SIZE: 54” Wide x 49” Deep
-CONSTRUCTION: Hub-style design for quick set-up; durable, wear resistant fabric
-CARRY CASE: Included
-FOR USE WITH: Most Big Game Treestands
-FASTENERS: Six 39” snap-on tie-down strings

The Universal Umbrella

-SIZE: 48” Square
-CONSTRUCTION: Hub-style design for quick set-up; durable, wear resistant fabric
-CARRY CASE: Included
-FOR USE WITH: Most Big Game Treestands
-FASTENERS: 2 support straps

Deer Hunting In Foul Weather with Tree Stand Umbrellas

Many hunters might look at deer hunting with an umbrella as a risk as it adds more in the tree to potentially silhouette. While this might scare some deer hunters off, the facts stack in favor of having one of these handy. One, deer can and will be out even in foul weather conditions, in fact certain conditions make deer hunting more favorable. Finally the second fact is that staying dry while hunting during rain or snow will be a lot harder without a tree stand umbrella.

It is inevitable, you will end up hunting during the rain or during the snow at some point each and every season. It’s up to you weather you will be prepared enough to stick around and reap the benefits of deer hunting in foul weather.

make plans to stay comfortable in your tree stand | Big Game Treestands

How Staying Warm in a Tree Stand Equals Big Buck Success

May 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Got Game Blog, Quad-Pods and Box Blinds /by Big Game

Make Plans to Stay Comfortable in Your Tree Stand

You’ve been sitting in the tree stand watching your shooting lanes for what seems like hours. Your back aches, your legs need a stretch, and you can’t feel your rear end except for the millions of pin pricks starting to work their way up your body. You stand up for a while to get some blood flowing again in the cold Midwestern firearm season weather. But after you sit down again, the shivering starts. Your body starts uncontrollably shaking, but unfortunately not because of buck fever. You can feel the warmth and life in your body draining out through the cold metal seat beneath you. It must be lunchtime (aka, an excuse to get down from the tree stand) by now, right? Thinking you can’t last much longer with your numb hands and vibrating body, you check your watch and flinch in disbelief. It’s only 9:30 in the morning!

If you’ve been deer hunting long enough, you’ve probably been in this situation at least a couple times. The sheer mental boredom and physical strain of sitting absolutely still for hours takes its toll, especially when you’re uncomfortable. If you’re warm and have a comfy seat on top of one of your best tree stands, though, the time can fly by faster than you realize. And when you’re trying to put a mature buck in the back of your truck, you sometimes need to spend a lot of time in tree stands.

Why You Should Stay Put in Your Tree Stand

Think about it this way: the more you enter and leave your tree stands, the more you expose yourself to a deer’s senses. You make more noise by walking over the crunchy leaves and breaking branches, you leave a scent trail that’s difficult to fully hide, and your moving silhouette is a surefire warning to any animal watching. But when you’re in a tree, you’re quiet, scent-free, and camouflaged by your tree stand blind – fully hidden from sound, smell, and sight. This is reason enough to not leave for a midday warm-up.

But if you want more proof, here are a few to chew on. Deer don’t spend their entire day lying down in one place. They rest for a while, get up and stretch, browse on nearby vegetation, eat mineral soil, drink water, and wander within or between bedding areas. Many believe they move a lot during what’s called the noontime stroll. If you can place your tree stands near one of these areas, you could watch a lot of deer activity throughout the day. During the rut, all bets on buck movement are off and you could theoretically see a deer at any moment.

All-Day Locations for Tree Stands

There are just some hunting situations and locations where you need to spend all day in a ladder stand or climbing stand. There’s no getting down for lunch to go warm up at the shack or the truck in these situations. It’s just you and the cold all day, so you need to be prepared. Here are a few locations or circumstances where your hunting stands and blinds might need to adopt the waiting game.

While hunting bedding areas is tricky business and has a high risk of educating deer, it’s also a great way to get close to a mature buck. For that reason, many hunters roll the dice occasionally for the opportunity to bag a buck in his bedroom. But since deer return to bedding areas in the early morning hours and will generally stay until almost nightfall, you have to be very dedicated to make this kind of tree stand location work. You’ll need to be settled into your stand at least 45 minutes before sunrise in most cases, more if you’re located close to a feeding area. You need to be quiet and fairly still from then until the sun goes down again. You could very likely see deer return in the morning hours, and they may even bed in front of you. In that case especially, being uncomfortable could kill your chances at staying still long enough to see a mature buck.

Similarly, maybe you’ll be hunting a popular public land area or you hunt a small private property surrounded by neighbors with an aggressive hunting approach. In these highly pressured systems, deer are going to be very skittish and extremely discerning about every little noise, movement, or scent they encounter. When a pressured deer catches you shifting around in or getting out of your tree stands, they will quickly drop a mental waypoint and avoid that area for a while. It may not be long-term, but it could be long enough to foul up your chance of seeing them again while you’re hunting.

Additionally, when you’re surrounded by other hunters, you can use that fact to your advantage. If you’re uncomfortable and cold, it’s likely that they are too. So if you can tough it out, they’ll likely get down from their stands and unknowingly chase deer right into your lap. One thing is for certain: you can’t kill a buck if you’re not there when he walks by your stand.

On the practical side, some stand locations may just be too remote to feasibly leave and warm up anyway. For example, let’s say you found a promising funnel location tucked way back in the forest using aerial scouting methods. If you have to hike back into the woods over a mile, you probably won’t want to get down in the middle of the day to return to the vehicle. In these cases, it’s better to pack a lunch and stay put all day. We’ll discuss more on the food side down below, since that is a critical piece of staying comfortable.

Staying Comfortable in a Tree Stand

As the popular saying goes, there is no bad weather, just bad clothes and preparation. You should be able to plan for almost any conditions while in the field so that you can stay comfortable all day long. It all starts with your deer hunting tree stands. The best deer hunting tree stands should offer enough room so that you don’t feel cramped. If you feel crunched for space with no room for your hunting backpack, you’re going to feel claustrophobic within a few hours, and your legs are far more likely to fall asleep. When you don’t feel like a stand is big enough, consider buying tree stands for big men, such as two person tree stand. Obviously the most comfortable options are fully concealed box hunting blinds, where you can seal out the weather conditions and hide your presence much better. Simply lounge back on your stadium chair, and you’ll be set for a day of hunting. This amazing tree stand accessory has multiple adjustments and folds down into an easily carried bundle.

Ideally, you should also have a few other critical tree stand accessories. No matter what kind of tree stands you’re in, you need to have a comfortable hunting seat to insulate your body from the cold and feel good to sit on. A portable hot seat is a great option to take with on any hunt since it is lightweight and does a great job at keeping your rear end cushioned throughout the long day. Another common issue with sitting in the woods all day is not having enough lower back support, which can quickly convince you to abandon your hunt before it’s time. The Big Game Tree Stands spring-back lumbar support provides just the right cushion where you need it, so you can stay upright and pain-free.

Clothing is one of the most important tree stand accessories around. If you don’t have the right clothing, you will be miserable and won’t last long, guaranteed. It doesn’t matter if you expect hot or cold conditions; wear a base layer of merino wool or synthetic moisture-wicking material, which will keep your skin as dry as possible. Wet cotton clothing next to the skin is a recipe for hypothermia in the cold. Also, wear several insulating layers so you can adjust it throughout the day. On the morning walk into your stand, wear only your base layers so you don’t get hot and sweaty. As your body cools, add more layers gradually. If the sun comes out and the weather improves, you can always remove a layer again. The key is to stay dry by not letting your body overheat.

Cold feet and hands are two of the most common reasons we might want to give up on a particularly chilly day. Avoid them by bringing high quality, insulated boots and gloves. For those situations where you need to have your hands available quickly, you can slip a hand/foot warmer into a hand muff and keep your fingers toasty without your gloves.

Finally, you need to have good nutrition if you’re going to sit in the woods all day. Pack a bigger lunch and more snacks than you think you might need, focusing on high protein and high fat foods. Protein and fat fire up our metabolisms and provide a steady energy dose. Carbohydrates like candy or donuts give us a quick sugar rush, but the resulting sugar slump is not worth the short term gain. Instead, bring a whole grain sandwich of your choice, nuts, cheese, jerky, sausage, and a few pieces of fruit. Whenever you start to feel tired, cold, or even mentally bored, eat a small snack. Also, make sure to drink your usual amount of water and bring along a hot beverage in a thermos to lift your spirits when you’re getting too cold.

Being comfortable in the woods isn’t like lounging on a couch. You don’t want to get so comfortable that you fall asleep and have to test out the strength of your tree stand harness. But comfort does mean being able to sit still long enough to see a buck you could shoot. Maybe that takes an hour, or maybe it doesn’t happen after a season of all-day sits. The point is that you can’t put venison in the freezer unless you put in the time to hunt. Setting your tree stands up for success means you have a far better chance than those that don’t take these steps.