Just Curious is All

[Liv4Rut]

Before I start with my question, imagine you just hung that killer stand, you step into it and make sure it is fitted tightly against the tree, while somewhat holding on to the tree you look around and realize you can't shoot worth a darn. I was wondering how much do you folks clear for shooting lanes? As for me, I've been known to take down darn near a 40 yard circle all the way around my tree, so if a deer enters it, no matter where it is, i can shoot it. I've seen some people only clear a few shooting lanes about 5 feet wide on trails, and I used to do that too, but I've lost too many opportunities at big bucks where If I would of just cleared an extra branch or something I would of had him, and also I've had a hard time stopping the deer in that shooting lane when they are so small, especially if they are chasing does. I was just wondering all your views on the subject and how much do you clear? I know in alot of hunting magazines they usually say to clear very little because big bucks will know something is out of place, but I have honestly not seen any truth to that. I know ive never seen a big buck look at a cut branch and run from it. just wondering is all

only 5 more months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Scott]

I never clear anything on the ground. Once I hang a stand, I cut the branches that I can reach and that is it. There is alot of times that the spots I can shoot are extremely restricted. Once Im up are start looking at every spot I could shoot a arrow through and remember them for when I actually want to shoot. I have hung some stands that I have cut alot out of, and when I finally hunt them I see fewer deer than what I expected for the spot. Its all about the element of suprise if you ask me.

 

[deadeye]

I am about the same way. When I was younger I always waited for the picture perfect opportunity to even think about a shot. I had many deer within killing range that I never drew on. Now I hardly clear anything. I know where good shooting lanes are and draw plenty early and try to stop them if I need to. Never fails clear a spot where you think it will be great and they will come by 10 feet from it.

 

[Two Beards]

I do 95% of my stand prepping in Feb, March, and April. Always trying to clear 4 generous shooting lanes when possible (one in every direction). Most of the areas we hunt are extremely thick so lanes must be opened during the off-season. We also take the time to remove all trimmed branches/trees from the area.

 

[alaskanwhtail]

I always clear lanes and then some but generally like to have a good amount of cover around me for movement..

 

[Rackaddict]

I'm with Two Beards. I do nearly all my stand hanging preperations right after season ends up to April. The deer become used to the changes and sometimes even take advantage of them.

 

[5465]

hey liv, i myself used to do the same thing you did, clearing everything any a big circle all the way around my stand, hell it looked like a bulldozer went through. but from past encounters and situations i found that when i go to set my stand up in a general area i will look for a tree that has the most thick cover around it, then after placing my stand i will pace off about 15 yards in each direction from the base of the tree and the start cutting beyond that point. the reason i do this is because of course you never want to shoot straight down on a deer or at a severe angle and i find that if you walk out 15 yards from the base of the tree, this distance definetly gets you past that severe angle, all the sticks, branches, and limbs i cut i usually throw back over in that 15 yard circle around the base of my tree making the brush thicker so as to not draw a bunch of attention to myself(i really think it makes you less noticeable), and we all know that those mature bucks like those thick patches of brush so therefore possibly making that buck feel more secure the more he nears my tree due to the thicker patch around my tree. i just feel that cutting around my stand like this has helped me take atleast 4 of my deer with a bow i kinda feel like when they see that thicker brush they almost kinda let their guard down a little. plus it may help you as far as that monster coming through the woods on a path towards you stand but just out of range and then notices it's a little thicker over where your tree is and next thing you know he is on your wall. has worked well for me.

 

[Liv4Rut]

I guess i didnt make myself clear lol, its hard to do on here, im always in a tree with good cover and i only clear the trails so i can shoot most of them, i dont cut anything that doesnt need to be cut where i know they would be dead before they got that close. I know i screwed bad not clearing out far enough, I think the buddy system works the best have one guy in the stand and the other trimming, just make sure you take turns, your buddy gets pissed when you hang multiple stands and he always has to trim

good ideas guys, i plan on getting out there soon and making a trail from the river to my stand where i plan on getting off the canoe at, got to do it before it gets too nasty out