Deer Hunting Tips: How to Choose A Location For A Tree Stand

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These deer hunting tips are designed to help you find the perfect location for your tree stand and ensure a successful hunt.

Scouting and Preparation

Before the hunting season starts, it's crucial to scout where the deer are. Begin this process about four weeks before the season begins. Scouting too early can be ineffective, as deer might change their trails due to shifts in food and water sources. While early scouting can help you become familiar with the area, make sure to re-evaluate it closer to the season. Minimize your scent and disturbances to the surroundings as much as possible. Once you identify a promising spot, mount your tree stand so the deer can get used to its presence.

Identifying Food Sources

Focus on locating food sources that deer will eat during the hunting season. Nut-producing trees, such as oaks, hickories, and beeches, should be dropping nuts by the time the season starts. Look for deer tracks around these areas. Deer also consume grass, berries, apples, herbs, clover, farm crops, raspberry cane, ferns, mushrooms, red and black mangrove, and Indian mulberry. Trails leading to these food sources can be ideal locations for your tree stand.

Finding Bedding Areas

Thick brush areas where deer like to sleep are also key locations to scout. Look for trails leading from these beds to feeding areas. Remember that large bucks often venture further into the brush and may not use well-worn trails. They typically join established trails or follow parallel paths when heading to feed.

Tree Stand Placement and Over-Hunting

Consider multiple sites for placing your tree stand to avoid over-hunting a single location, which can leave too much scent and drive deer away. Rotate between stands to keep the deer from detecting your presence.

Staying Alert

One challenge of tree-stand hunting is staying alert during long periods of inactivity. Boredom can lead to drowsiness or falling asleep, which can cause you to miss opportunities or make noise that spooks deer. Always ensure you are securely fastened to the tree to prevent falls. To stay alert, consider using heat and motion detectors on well-defined deer trails. These devices can alert you to approaching deer, giving you advance notice and helping you prepare. A deer hunting trail monitor system with remote motion sensors can send alerts to a handheld radio with an earphone, informing you of the deer's direction and approach.

By following these deer hunting tips, you can confidently choose a tree stand location for the best chances of a successful hunt. Combine these tips with other advice you find online for a winning season!

To learn more about trail monitoring systems, check the tagged products below.