Entering the woods from the road
Contributors to this thread:Wisconsin
From: Cedar swamp
02-Jun-16
Purchased some property that I will have to access from a quiet small country road. Not much traffic at all, that I can tell at least. Only 25 acres. Access "trail" is right in the middle of the property. Hung multiple lock-on stands this spring. Question I have is, do you park the truck a ways away from this land and walk to the access trail, or can a guy park his truck across the road from the trail and walk in?
Just wondering how "sneaky" you folks would be? First year hunting this land. Will driving up across the street from this small parcel and getting dressed, getting bow out, etc, be a big deal, in your minds? Too much noise, commotion, etc. Do most of you, who have to access land from the road, park some distance away from where you enter? Thanks for the input!
From: Mike F
02-Jun-16
I park on the road a lot of times, at least 100 yards form where I enter the wood.
Let's everyone know that I am around. Check for trails that cross the road and park away from those.
From: Swampy
02-Jun-16
A new hunting spot is always exciting . First year will be a learning process . Once you figure out where to park your car you can almost bet that when you come out some night the deer will be standing next to your car . LOL
From: Bloodtrail
02-Jun-16
I have a physiological dependency that requires I park at least 300 yards away...but that's me and my affliction....
From: Elkaddict
02-Jun-16
Totally depends on how the animals are using your property and the surrounding property. The only one who can answer your question is you, after you spend some time learning.
From: Two Feathers
02-Jun-16
Park on the road in front of the neighbors property in front of a deer crossing.
From: Per48R
02-Jun-16
Deer that see your vehicle will be hesitant to cross in that area. That can sometimes be good. It can mean that the deer will mull around waiting for darkness, or trying to decide which way to go around. This can give you extra time with deer in the area to get an opportunity. Deer will pattern you. So if you always park in the same spot they will change their pattern, or look for your vehicle. In some situations you can use it to move deer to another trail. When given the option of where to park, I often figure out how to use it to redirect deer. I think deer worry less about a parked vehicle then something they think may be a predator. Several times I have parked on the side of the road. Decides to pee before driving off and heard deer that were obviously very near me finally move and I could hear them (in the dark). It is a little annoying to go way in, come back to the truck, be standing at the nearest tree (peeing) and know there are deer less then 30 yards away. But I would rather see them there then in the headlights when doing 60 down the road.
PS. because your tree selection options may be limited, don't forget you can divert deer by blocking deer trails with dead falls.....
From: Jeff in MN
03-Jun-16
Just throwing this out there. When hunting wooded farmland I would usually park on a field access road at least 100 yards from the woods. I don't know how many times when walking out after quitting time that the deer were browsing the alfalfa right next to my truck.
Good suggestions above.
From: tomas
03-Jun-16
Back when I used apples for bait I would come back to the truck and have deer bounding away and snorting. But I would park at least 200 yds. Down the road.
From: Nocturnal8
03-Jun-16
Exactly what elk said
From: GoJakesGo
03-Jun-16
I would contact neighbors just to inform them of your presence. You could explain that you are hunting or just tell them you are hiking. Seeing a new vehicle parked on the road can create unwanted attention from nearby fellow landowners thinking their own properties may be being trespassed on or property being stolen.
From: Cedar swamp
03-Jun-16
Thanks for the input . I guess I'll learn by doing this fall :)
From: Reggiezpop
03-Jun-16
I hunt a small 7 acre patch of woods between a couple ag fields. The woods are on a fairly busy road, and the fields are the neighbor's property. I used to park so close I could see in my truck, but I've seen a lot more deer parking on a side road, and walking a slow 5 minutes to my spot. I think it mattered some, but more from me making noise preparing to enter the woods, rather than the deer seeing a vehicle and getting spooked. That's the glory of this. I think of the stuff I was doing the last few years, and can only shake my head and laugh! Good luck and keep us posted!
From: Crusader dad
04-Jun-16
I try to park as far away from where I'm going to hunt as possible.