Opinions on mule deer from a tree stand?

[soccerftw123]

Last year I noticed a couple of nice bucks hanging around the area I elk hunt. My first thought went straight to tree stand so I don't push any animals out before the elk season. Has anyone hunted mulies from a tree stand with any luck? If so are you using salt, posting up on a game trail, or maybe a water source? Ive never been much of a stand hunter but for some reason I have an urge to go all in for it this year and see how it results.

[OutHouse]

I am changing to tree stand this year for the mules. Find the trails they use with frequency and post up somewhere where you think you will not be seen in the stand. Last season, I did exactly what I just wrote but was on the ground in full camo and paint. Had two monster mules come toward me on different occasions but they knew something was up even though they couldn't see me. They eventually walked all the way around my position and back onto the trail. Had I been in a stand, they would have continued right underneath and I would not be eating tag soup right now.

[rtspring]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

[boneaddict]

Not my style, but yes it will work.   Mule deer country often dictates a high point for glassing and covering draws or wide open spaces.   It's a technique many use wisely.   I'll sit over a crossing or something while eating or taking a break, or while waiting for the day to progress.  I've seen a lot of game throughout the years while taking a break.   Many times someone else is moving the game.

[Eli346]

 

[soccerftw123]

I appreciate the advise, like I said to those that oppose tree stand hunting my main purpose is to not push the elk out before elk season. I know there is a very nice buck that spent all last fall there, being the broke college student as I am I cant really head up to the open country to hunt the more typical mule deer country. So my plan is to hunt the stand those few days of deer season before elk opens then switch up to my normal sneak through the woods. I just dont want to jump the elk off the mountain but still be able to hunt it. Im new enough I dont have a preferred hunting style yet or knowledge of how to go about them.

[jackelope]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

The skill and work in it is the work that leads up to the time sitting in the tree. Patterning, learning their habits, putting stands in the right places, etc.

[D-Rock425]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

it's all hunting just different methods.  I've never shot a deer from a stand but have shot a hand full of elk.  It's just as fun as shooting them on the ground for me.

[vandeman17]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

it's all hunting just different methods.  I've never shot a deer from a stand but have shot a hand full of elk.  It's just as fun as shooting them on the ground for me.

Sit in a tree stand and watch a stud buck chase a doe, snorting and grunting all the while they have not a clue you are there. If that isn't a rush, not sure what is.... 

[buckcanyonlodge]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

The REAL way to hunt is to spot a deer 1,952 yards away and shoot it...

[OutHouse]

I do agree with many of the comments here, however, to whoever it was that said sitting and waiting is not hunting--well, anyone with some experience has probably tagged a deer after a long sit and wait, nothing more needs to be said regarding that. I will add that tree stand hunting is best in Mule terrain that is similar to that in my picture. Mixed stands of pine and fir with a fair amount of mature trees is ideal. If you are in sage brush, get out the binocs and glass.

[Jonathan_S]

I'm going to find a cougar sitting on a trail waiting for a whitetail to come by and tell to him to, "Get with program bro..." 

[BULLBLASTER]

I'm going to find a cougar sitting on a trail waiting for a whitetail to come by and tell to him to, "Get with program bro..." 

[muzzlebuck]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

A lot more skill involved than shooting a deer off the road. 

I spot a doe bedded up as I was driving down the forest road and look behind her and all I could see was antlers!  That truck and trailer came to ALL HALT!!! I jump out dig out my rifle, found a bullet and steadied up on the buck.  He just stood there at 75 yards with no care in the world..  He had 8 does and one of them was blocking his boiler room.  Im thinkinghe is gonna bolt at any second and I snuck one high behind his neck and above the shoulder.  Boom! Dirt nap!!!

[rtspring]

Never did or will understand how sitting in a tree is hunting.  Takes the skill and rush out of it for me..  But to each his own, I do know it is a great way to kill just not my thing. 

Good luck

A lot more skill involved than shooting a deer off the road. 

I spot a doe bedded up as I was driving down the forest road and look behind her and all I could see was antlers!  That truck and trailer came to ALL HALT!!! I jump out dig out my rifle, found a bullet and steadied up on the buck.  He just stood there at 75 yards with no care in the world..  He had 8 does and one of them was blocking his boiler room.  Im thinkinghe is gonna bolt at any second and I snuck one high behind his neck and above the shoulder.  Boom! Dirt nap!!!

Remember I had one ankle, you would shoot deer on the road too

[muzzlebuck]

Remember I had one ankle, you would shoot deer on the road too

Just pointing out it does take skill and I think you would get a rush out of killing something regardless of how.

I dont care how old I get everytime I shoot an animal I get excited as a 5 year old in a candy store.. 

[buckfvr]

I think its harder to spend the day in a tree stand than it is to keep moving......

[erk444]

   Boredom, a sore back, wondering if you picked the right spot........I know stand hunting works, but its a lot more stressfull

[raydog]

  Boredom, a sore back, wondering if you picked the right spot........I know stand hunting works, but its a lot more stressfull

   The worst part is wondering if you are in the right spot!

[Seabass]

It will definitely work....... if you are committed to it. Jumping in a stand for an hour or two probably won't be that productive unless you are on a major food source at the perfect time of day. It will take skill and hard work.

The skill of stand hunting is scouting and picking the right location.

The work is all in the number of hours on stand your brain and body can tolerate. The people who say stand hunting isn't physically demanding are the people who have never sat in one for 6-8 hours straight. Your brain will be the first to tire. Your body can take WAY more abuse than your brain.

The little dude on your shoulder will be in your ear within a couple of hours. If your new to stand hunting he will start in on you within an hour. He says stuff like, "this location sucks" "what the hell are you doing up in a tree?" "I wonder what's up the trail another 200 yards" "your girlfriend thinks you're an sissy" It's hard not to listen to him after a while but he's usually wrong.

I have hunted from a tree stand for 15 years now. Two years ago I let that little dude convince me to get out of my stand one nasty rainy morning. It was about 11:00 am and I had been in the stand since 6:15. I stood up to get down and noticed some movement that I thought was a coyote. I grabbed my bow and made a few squeeks with my mouth to see if he would come in range. All of a sudden I'm staring down a cougar at 15 yards. I was already clipped on expecting to shoot a dog. I got a window to shoot and I whacked that sucker. An otherwise miserable day turned out to be one of the best hunting experiences of my life.