New to Whitetail Hunting need some Info
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: Pvdesert
30-Nov-19
Question #1 Hunting over bait and tree stand is in the bottom of the draw-- is this a good location or should I bring stand location out of bottom and up the hill a little for better wind? I have been blown out of this stand by deer smelling me -- thinking I had good wind but when the wind settled for a few moments on different occasions I got busted???
From: Ghost425
30-Nov-19
I think hunting when the wind and thermals are in your favor is key.
From: kevo
30-Nov-19
Bottoms can be tricky to hunt because of unpredictable winds. I'd move to higher ground. Can't say much about hunting deer over bait. Never done it. Not legal in my state and it's not necessary either. Good luck
From: drycreek
30-Nov-19
Draws and creek bottoms are good places for deer to move, but terrible to hunt if you’re bowhunting. I’d try to find trails where they cross or travel the ridges. Lots of deer will walk just off the tops of ridges parallel to them. Or you could possibly find a saddle in the ridge and set up there. I haven’t had much luck in a tree or tripod in a bottom, wind is just too iffy. My two cents.
From: FORESTBOWS
30-Nov-19
Move your bait so you can set stand up on a edge so you can hunt a certain wind
From: ryanrc
01-Dec-19
Never hunt bottoms. My opinion, but the wind is unforgiving and depending on how they cross it, they can be eye level with you too. I can't think of a single time hunting a bottom has worked out for me. The trails and sign always make me want to try again, but I have been burned enough times to know better.
From: Bou'bound
01-Dec-19
depending on the bait quality and depth of the draw. You have a reason for them to be there and they will come to the bait. may help offset the natural wariness that swirling winds would otherwise generate. is this a natural bait pile or timed feeder.
From: timex
01-Dec-19
I wouldn't say never hunt bottoms cause during really windy conditions that's my favorite place to hunt. personally if I were to hunt how you are I'd find a flat about mid mountain & setup there between 10:00 am & 2:00 pm iv killed many a deer on white oak flats during the middle of the day doing all day sits
From: Grey Ghost
01-Dec-19
Just hang an Ozonics and don’t worry about it. (smirk)
Matt
From: Russell
01-Dec-19
I would consider buying some of the books that the Wensel brothers have written. Brothers of the Bow
From: kota-man
01-Dec-19
I’ve had great luck hunting bottoms, but it HAS to be windy. Put a stand up on the ridge for light winds and hunt the bottoms when it’s windy.
From: Pvdesert
01-Dec-19
Thanks guys for the great input. Very helpful
From: WV Mountaineer
01-Dec-19
Putting out bait seems to automatically put the deer on edge in my experience. I'm not telling you not do it. Only to be aware that the deer know it did not just magically appear there. The really get skittish around it if you spend much time there. Just something to be aware of. And, get it in an area that the wind doesn't swirl due to terrain. If they do get into the habit of coming in down wind, just set up away from the bait on the down wind side.
From: Hessticles
01-Dec-19
Exactly what kota said! My best stand is in a heavy timber bottom, which I usually hunt when its windy as they are less spooky. As for playing the wind, I usually never do in my bottom stand during the rut because they come from every direction where I hunt.
