Opinions on hanging preseason stands...

[Kat]

When you guys hang your stands in the preseason, do try to be scent free if you are going inside the woods or anywhere where the deer are not used to people? Or do you not worry about it and figure they won’t mind an intrusion and will forget about it? Do you go all out or do you just wear rubber boots? I can see not worrying about your scent around the field edges and such, but what are your feelings about it when you’re on ‘their’ turf?

 

[avidhunter]

Re: Question on hanging preseason stands...

From all that I have read, it's best to get in and out without disturbing any deer, whenever humanly possible. As scent can linger for some time, I would suggest that you at least wear rubber boots, doused with scent elimination spray. It wouldn't hurt to pretend that you are actually approaching your stand(s) as if it were opening day...helps to get in the habit

 

[Liv4Rut]

Re: Question on hanging preseason stands...

When I hang stands in the early season I go in there without a care in the world. I will talk loud step on all the sticks, let all the deer know that im coming threw the woods. I never worry about scent or anything like that. I just figure, if you walk in there like you are not a predator, then they are less likely to worry about it. since they can hear you a mile away they can avoid you quite easily. If you walk in there stealth like and end up sneaking up on a buck 15 yards away without him knowing it, and then he sees you. I think that would scare him more. Have any of you ever noticed when you are out tromping the woods without a weapon and camoflauge the deer don't seem to care as much. I know I've said why cant they do that, when i got a gun in my hand

also those farmers that go about their chores on a daily basis seem to always talk about the big buck that just stood there.

 

[Husker]

Re: Question on hanging preseason stands...

Last year when my brother in law and I were moving a stand during early season left our bows in the truck

and rode the 4-wheeler down to the valley. Moved the stand and he is up in the stand strapping it to the tree and up walks this nice 9 point to within 15 yards of us. Him in the stand and me on the ground with the 4-wheeler parked 20 yards away. I think he was investigating the noise??? Long story short best buck I had in range all season and bow in the truck. I think it just depends on the deer. Kind of a damned if ya do... damned if ya don't.

 

[203ntyp]

I wear rubber boots & try to hang stands right before rain is forcasted to help wash away any scent. I also perfer to have them out a minimum of 4 weeks prior to opening day. I don't believe a couple of minor disturbances will afect them that much, if it does they usually return to their habits within a couple of weeks left undisturbed.

 

[River1]

It doesn't take much effort to be a little cautious. I wear rubber boots and limit contact with the flora. In and out without to much disturbance. Don't know if it makes that much difference, but I feel better doing it that way.

 

[ironwood]

I don't worry about it if I am hanging them this early. If we're moving stands later in the season it is great to have a washing rain, any work at all and I sweat my butt off.

 

[Shredder]

Sounds odd but I will usually drive my 4 wheeler right to the base of the tree and never set foot on the ground. If I am going in later in the pre season (like now) I do my best to eliminate my scents exposure to the area so I usually go with gloves and rubber boots. and do essentially no trimming from here on out.

 

[PAHunter]

I honestly don't get too concerned a month or longer before the opener.Being it's so warm at this time,your going to sweat alot defeating the purpose of being scentfree,and I'm usually loaded down with smelly bug spray also.And I do like 203ntyp stated, to time hanging them before a rainstorm,and I've also hung them during a rain.At this time I think timing is the biggest factor,hang them when you know the deer won't be around.The worst thing that you could have go wrong is to have deer actually bust you in the stand while setting it.For this reason my main objective is to get in and out as quickly and quietly as possible to not attract curious deer,and stay out until I hunt it.But as the season approaches or during the season to relocate a stand,then I take all precautions.I go in just as if I were actually hunting,descented,boots and all.

 

[moosehunter]

I wouldn't worry about it this early. There's plenty of time for the scent to wash away.

Think about it this way. There's people in the woods all year round doing something. Hiking, shed hunting, mushrooms, farmers. Deer get displaced all the time and are somewhat used to it. As said above. Just go in like your working and don't worry about it. They'll be around when it counts....

 

[5059]

I personally feel that rubber boots smell and have never had good success with them as far as getting by a deers nose.......Secondly I feel that hanging a stand early is sometimes unproductive......and that the very first day is sometimes the best day in the woods......I scout deer from a distance the days just before the season starts and If I locate a mature buck I will go in and hunt that deer with a climber or if i have to use a fixed stand I will go in extra early and get things situated

Don't think you need to get a stand up early because the most important thing to do is to hunt where they will be on the opener