BT tree stand locations

[AKBowman]

Got a quick question. I've been scouting a particular area since the end of last late archery season in December, it's a feeding area but I have found a number of beds in there as well recently. The area is a small willow bench on a hillside only about 100 yards deep by 200 yards wide, surrounded by timber slops on all sides.

It's not too thick in there but thick enough to where I probably couldn't see more than 40 yards and I won't shoot over 35. Anyhow my question is where should I place my tree stand? There are a couple of good trees on the far downwind side of the bench but I would be limited to only one main trail directly in front of the stand due to too much brush for shooting further. There is another good tree kind of in the middle of the bench that would give me good shooting lanes to multiple trails but if the buck follows the path I take in to the stand he would more than likely wind me as the trail I would take in is down wind of either stand location. It seems to me that the general flow of deer movement has them entering from uphill and upwind of the alder bench and exiting downhill and down wind which would make the tree in the center of the bench a good location.

I'm just wondering if during the rut bucks will be scent checking the bench and entering from down wind which would mean I need to choose a site on the down wind side even if it doesn't give me as good a shooting lane.

I'd love to hear anyones thoughts or experiences.

[sirmissalot]

Good question. I'm always on the lookout for good treestand locations while I am setting trail cameras. Its easy to set a camera where you get a lot of pictures, not so easy to set one in a huntable spot.

I watched a video by cameron hanes a while back where he went over tree stand loactions pretty well, it was a bow hunting blacktails video. Had some really good info.

[RoyBoy]

putting up a treestand is a big deal you might want to look the whole section threw allot before deciding where to put it the placement of a stand can make or break your hunt. as lond s you fully scent proof yourself "shampoo,deoderant, and spray" then i like to tie a little doe in heat scent to my boot by a string just for the extra cover. but try to maybe find where a good trail Y's and sit about 30 yards back between the base of the Y. so the trail goes on both sides of you this then pretty much doubles your chances on success! 

[billythekidrock]

I would wait until August to decide where to put the stand. While blacktails are homebodies, they may not feed there in September/October. If they can scent check from the down wind side, I would put my stand as close as possible to that location.

Are you using bait? If so I would pick the best stand location and put the bait as far into the shooting zone as you can. While the buck may scent check from a distance, he still may come closer for a better whiff or even a bite to eat.

If I can't set up properly on the bench, I would try to set up on a trail coming into the bench.

[AKBowman]

BTKR,  I know the area is an area where bucks frequent during the rut due to a couple of local does that call the immediate area home. I am running a salt site there, on my most recent check Sunday my cam had gotten bit by a bear and water leaked inside and ruined the cam. There are rubs year over year on a couple different black willow trees in there so this leads me to beleive it is an area where there will be bucks come late October, also I've gotten a couple pics of bucks near the salt lick.

I like the idea of waiting until later in the year to hang a stand, this yr I am hunting the modern season with archery tackle. I won't be hunting this location unless I don't get a deer in my primary location during the Oct season my primary location doesnt have a late gun season. If i strike out during the Oct season I will move over to this area and really blanket the spot with cams to get a better idea what is going on in early November. By then I should have enough info to let the deer tell me how to hunt it.

[300rum]

If the beds are in a feeding area, I would bet that they are night time bedding areas, not day time.  If you are getting evening/night time pics of good bucks, not dinks, then I would say that they are night time beds.

I would try to hang your stand "10-15 minutes away" from the feeding area, not in the bedding area.  Does first, then little bucks, then the "vampires".  The big boys hit the feeding area right at dark.  A few "deer minutes" minutes from the feeding area should put you in a good spot.     

[AKBowman]

There is a clear cut about 1/8 mile away which i think is their primary feeding area. I need to check the time on the pics to see which time of day the bucks are using the bench. Thanks!

[AKBowman]

The only buck pics I have in there are at night. My cam got $hit canned by a bear on my last check and flooded with rain water so I only have a week soak over 110#'s of salt. They dont seem to be hitting the salt as much as I thought they would be.

[Mudman]

Man Im simple I just climb a good tree where I find trail intersections or merging trails.  I try to stay away from feed/bed areas as thats where they are at night.  Your bench sounds good where the trails join onto it.