Stand Locations
Let’s talk about different stand locations, how to find them, and what to look for. For new and young hunters just getting into the sport, you probably haven’t secured land to hunt but there us plenty of public land out there that anyone can hunt on. Most public land is timber with very few fields but is bordered by private land that is mostly fields. Let’s talk about how to find, and what to look for when finding places to hang a stand.
The first thing to look at is the bordering land. if its fields and what drew your attention to that area was seeing deer in the fields in the morning or evenings. You can’t hunt the fields because you don’t have permission but the good thing is that the mature bucks don’t come into the fields until right at the end of shooting light. They hang out in the woods in staging areas and watch the field from the safety of the woods. So the first stands we will talk about are the inside the wood field stands.
Corners and pinch points or low areas of a field will normally have loads of trails feeding the field because deer are able to work their way into the field with still having the safety of the woods nearby. Inside the woods you will find staging areas were deer will hang up for a little while before going into the fields, the mature bucks will typically be the last deer into the field.
When you’re hunting in this type of stand you want to move off the field 20 to 30 yards on well used trails. Your approach to this stand should also be taken into consideration because you don’t want the wind blowing from the direction you think the deer will be coming and you also don’t want to walk to your stand by crossing or coming from the direction the deer will be coming from.
The next stand placement we are going to talk about are on narrow fingers of timber and normally provide the best type of cover for the deer as they move from point A to B. Typically you will find good sign running down the sides and middle of the fingers. Simply find the best sign and setup your stand to watch that area. Depending on the width of the area you can even watch the entire finger and catch any deer that are crossing.
Now for the hunters that will be hunting in very hilly ridge like terrain areas the next two are the ones you will want to focus on. The first of the two is the side hill set up. Deer will normally travel the downwind side of the hill or ridge and be about a quarter of the way down the side of the hill or ridge. They will travel the length of the ridge going to or from a likely bedding area. This set up is great because it is a regular pattern and with concern of scent and intrusion the deer will be un-alerted of your stand.
Saddles are the second stand location; saddles are the low point between two high points and are natural crossings. Saddles are choke points and create a funnel that deer and other animals will travel because it’s the easiest way to cross a ridge. When you’re trying to find were to set a stand, scout the saddle looking for the most sign and trails and again we will talk about that in the coming articles.
Now that we have discussed different places to look for deer sign to set up a stand we need to talk about scouting and the different ways to scout. We will also talk about what you’re looking for and how to figure out what the sign your finding means. These articles will be posted in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for those articles.
The first thing to look at is the bordering land. if its fields and what drew your attention to that area was seeing deer in the fields in the morning or evenings. You can’t hunt the fields because you don’t have permission but the good thing is that the mature bucks don’t come into the fields until right at the end of shooting light. They hang out in the woods in staging areas and watch the field from the safety of the woods. So the first stands we will talk about are the inside the wood field stands.
Corners and pinch points or low areas of a field will normally have loads of trails feeding the field because deer are able to work their way into the field with still having the safety of the woods nearby. Inside the woods you will find staging areas were deer will hang up for a little while before going into the fields, the mature bucks will typically be the last deer into the field.
When you’re hunting in this type of stand you want to move off the field 20 to 30 yards on well used trails. Your approach to this stand should also be taken into consideration because you don’t want the wind blowing from the direction you think the deer will be coming and you also don’t want to walk to your stand by crossing or coming from the direction the deer will be coming from.
The next stand placement we are going to talk about are on narrow fingers of timber and normally provide the best type of cover for the deer as they move from point A to B. Typically you will find good sign running down the sides and middle of the fingers. Simply find the best sign and setup your stand to watch that area. Depending on the width of the area you can even watch the entire finger and catch any deer that are crossing.
Now for the hunters that will be hunting in very hilly ridge like terrain areas the next two are the ones you will want to focus on. The first of the two is the side hill set up. Deer will normally travel the downwind side of the hill or ridge and be about a quarter of the way down the side of the hill or ridge. They will travel the length of the ridge going to or from a likely bedding area. This set up is great because it is a regular pattern and with concern of scent and intrusion the deer will be un-alerted of your stand.
Saddles are the second stand location; saddles are the low point between two high points and are natural crossings. Saddles are choke points and create a funnel that deer and other animals will travel because it’s the easiest way to cross a ridge. When you’re trying to find were to set a stand, scout the saddle looking for the most sign and trails and again we will talk about that in the coming articles.
Now that we have discussed different places to look for deer sign to set up a stand we need to talk about scouting and the different ways to scout. We will also talk about what you’re looking for and how to figure out what the sign your finding means. These articles will be posted in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for those articles.
A New Year, A New Vision
As another year starts to unfold and we get into scouting and different hunting seasons, we here at Hillbilly Huntin are working hard on bringing future generations and youth into the sport of hunting. Our focus is teaching the youth of our wonderful country how to hunt and enjoy nature. We are picking up sponsors and embarking in new areas for us as we continue to teach the youth all aspects of the sport.
We are striving to be mentors and role models for the youth and future generations through teaching them how to be ethical and moral hunters. Through our website and videos, we hope to bring more youth into the sport and encourage them to hunt. We say it’s not about what you kill, it’s about what you take away from your trip into the outdoors.
Learning from every experience makes you a better hunter as you build knowledge of the animals you pursue whether it is small game, deer, turkey or any other game animals. We try and make it a point to show that there is more to hunting than the actual hunt. Lots of time and energy goes into a successful hunt and you’re not going to get the animal you're after every time you hunt.
Hunting is like anything else, you have to start at the foundation and work your way up. Teaching the basics of preparing and scouting are the only ways to build a foundation. After that you will teach the other details but you also have to teach and learn what to do after the shot everything from tracking and field dressing to meat processing. I was lucky and had my dad to teach me the essential skills and I feel it is my job to pass them on.
So this year we will be working more on the basics and talking about how to get started for the youth who want to get into the sport of hunting. We are going to be holding hunts for deer, turkey and squirrel to encourage youth to get out and hunt. We will make ourselves available for any questions future hunters have as the year’s progress.
Oh goal is to have videos for gear, scouting, preparing, hunting, field dressing, and meat processing so that our youth of tomorrow can see the work that goes into our sport. If we don’t teach our youth and encourage them to hunt the sport will continue to decrease in popularity until there is nothing left. We are taking it upon ourselves to show our youth that just because your family doesn’t hunt and you don’t have private land that you can still be a successful hunter.
We also want to show that even if you don’t want to hunt that you can get into the outdoors by shed hunting and scouting with friends and family. Hunting is a family sport that you can share with friends and family. You can get kids into the outdoors at a very young age and start teaching them the little things and there is also no age limit of when you can start hunting. Hunting is a sport that at any age or condition there is a way to stay active and involved.
For the folks out there that have been following us since we started, hang in there because we will also have some of the advanced skills we use to harvest mature deer. Along with some pretty entertaining footage as we are learning this new aspect of the hunt “videography”. We look forward to spending the years teaching and bringing new generations into the sport.
It is my promise to keep Hillbilly Huntin focused on our youth as we grow and to pass on the skills and knowledge that has been passed on to us, to be role models and mentors to the youth as we teach them the skills and knowledge we have in the sport of hunting no matter the game. Good luck this season, stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in the field!
-The Hillbilly
We are striving to be mentors and role models for the youth and future generations through teaching them how to be ethical and moral hunters. Through our website and videos, we hope to bring more youth into the sport and encourage them to hunt. We say it’s not about what you kill, it’s about what you take away from your trip into the outdoors.
Learning from every experience makes you a better hunter as you build knowledge of the animals you pursue whether it is small game, deer, turkey or any other game animals. We try and make it a point to show that there is more to hunting than the actual hunt. Lots of time and energy goes into a successful hunt and you’re not going to get the animal you're after every time you hunt.
Hunting is like anything else, you have to start at the foundation and work your way up. Teaching the basics of preparing and scouting are the only ways to build a foundation. After that you will teach the other details but you also have to teach and learn what to do after the shot everything from tracking and field dressing to meat processing. I was lucky and had my dad to teach me the essential skills and I feel it is my job to pass them on.
So this year we will be working more on the basics and talking about how to get started for the youth who want to get into the sport of hunting. We are going to be holding hunts for deer, turkey and squirrel to encourage youth to get out and hunt. We will make ourselves available for any questions future hunters have as the year’s progress.
Oh goal is to have videos for gear, scouting, preparing, hunting, field dressing, and meat processing so that our youth of tomorrow can see the work that goes into our sport. If we don’t teach our youth and encourage them to hunt the sport will continue to decrease in popularity until there is nothing left. We are taking it upon ourselves to show our youth that just because your family doesn’t hunt and you don’t have private land that you can still be a successful hunter.
We also want to show that even if you don’t want to hunt that you can get into the outdoors by shed hunting and scouting with friends and family. Hunting is a family sport that you can share with friends and family. You can get kids into the outdoors at a very young age and start teaching them the little things and there is also no age limit of when you can start hunting. Hunting is a sport that at any age or condition there is a way to stay active and involved.
For the folks out there that have been following us since we started, hang in there because we will also have some of the advanced skills we use to harvest mature deer. Along with some pretty entertaining footage as we are learning this new aspect of the hunt “videography”. We look forward to spending the years teaching and bringing new generations into the sport.
It is my promise to keep Hillbilly Huntin focused on our youth as we grow and to pass on the skills and knowledge that has been passed on to us, to be role models and mentors to the youth as we teach them the skills and knowledge we have in the sport of hunting no matter the game. Good luck this season, stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in the field!
-The Hillbilly
Scent Control
I want to take a minute and talk about the way I use scent prevention and the products I use. Everything from laundry, shower, and gear gets some sort of scent prevention. My product of choice and the company I would bet my hunt on is Dead Down Wind. When you’re out hunting, the products you use are what you’re betting your hunt on. So I use it all in the hopes of winning that bet. So let’s talk about the products I trust.
Let’s start off with my clothing and anything I can wash in the washing machine. e1 Triple action laundry detergent is what I use. The Dead Down Winds proprietary bio-engineered technology is for all hunting apparel including wool and carbon. The formula eliminates odors, unclogs carbon molecules and doesn’t cause camouflage patterns to fade, even after repeated washings. The laundry detergent is even safe on the new washing machines and good for your camouflage.
Next on the list is body scent control. I stick with Dead Down Wind across the board from bar soap, boot & storage powder, antiperspirant, body & hair soap, 4 color face paint, and even SPF 30 lip balm. The bar soap and antiperspirant are both scent prevention, the body & hair soap is a 3D broad spectrum, and the lip balm and face paint are odorless. Using Dead Down Wind products when it comes to body odor, your safe on all levels from covering scent to preventing it.
Now to the elaborate part, field use! The e3 evolve 3D field spray comes in multiple bottles. In camp I use a 32 oz. bottle to spray down myself and all my gear and I have a 64 oz. bottle to refill my 32 oz. camp spray bottles. I keep a 12 oz. bottle in my bag to spray down when I get to my stand and I make sure to keep e3 3D Pac-it refills for 12 oz. field spray bottles in my bag as well. It takes 12 oz. of water and it doesn’t matter if it’s a bottle of water or water from a creek or pond. Fill up your spray bottle with the water, mix in the Pac-it refills and you set with another 12 oz. of the same quality e3 evolve 3D field spray you sat out with. I also keep an e3 wind checker in my back pack so I can keep a constant eye on the wind.
I also wear a fleece Dead Down Wind skull cap for those cold days in my stand since most of your heat escapes from your head it works great to keep you warm. Every time I go out, I go through the same routine of washing my clothes, showering, and spraying my gear and myself down before I even start my trip into the woods. Like I stated earlier, when it comes down to the hunt, you have to put your full faith in the equipment you are using and I trust Dead Down Wind fully when it comes to scent prevention. They have really got you covered from start to finish.
If you haven’t tried out the Dead Down Wind product line you really should. I’m very pleased with the results and I dont see that changing anytime soon. If you want to know how it works, check out the Dead Down Wind website and they explain everything on a much more scientific level then I ever could. All I know is the stuff works wonders and is the best product I have ever used.
Let’s start off with my clothing and anything I can wash in the washing machine. e1 Triple action laundry detergent is what I use. The Dead Down Winds proprietary bio-engineered technology is for all hunting apparel including wool and carbon. The formula eliminates odors, unclogs carbon molecules and doesn’t cause camouflage patterns to fade, even after repeated washings. The laundry detergent is even safe on the new washing machines and good for your camouflage.
Next on the list is body scent control. I stick with Dead Down Wind across the board from bar soap, boot & storage powder, antiperspirant, body & hair soap, 4 color face paint, and even SPF 30 lip balm. The bar soap and antiperspirant are both scent prevention, the body & hair soap is a 3D broad spectrum, and the lip balm and face paint are odorless. Using Dead Down Wind products when it comes to body odor, your safe on all levels from covering scent to preventing it.
Now to the elaborate part, field use! The e3 evolve 3D field spray comes in multiple bottles. In camp I use a 32 oz. bottle to spray down myself and all my gear and I have a 64 oz. bottle to refill my 32 oz. camp spray bottles. I keep a 12 oz. bottle in my bag to spray down when I get to my stand and I make sure to keep e3 3D Pac-it refills for 12 oz. field spray bottles in my bag as well. It takes 12 oz. of water and it doesn’t matter if it’s a bottle of water or water from a creek or pond. Fill up your spray bottle with the water, mix in the Pac-it refills and you set with another 12 oz. of the same quality e3 evolve 3D field spray you sat out with. I also keep an e3 wind checker in my back pack so I can keep a constant eye on the wind.
I also wear a fleece Dead Down Wind skull cap for those cold days in my stand since most of your heat escapes from your head it works great to keep you warm. Every time I go out, I go through the same routine of washing my clothes, showering, and spraying my gear and myself down before I even start my trip into the woods. Like I stated earlier, when it comes down to the hunt, you have to put your full faith in the equipment you are using and I trust Dead Down Wind fully when it comes to scent prevention. They have really got you covered from start to finish.
If you haven’t tried out the Dead Down Wind product line you really should. I’m very pleased with the results and I dont see that changing anytime soon. If you want to know how it works, check out the Dead Down Wind website and they explain everything on a much more scientific level then I ever could. All I know is the stuff works wonders and is the best product I have ever used.
2014 Buck Story
In this article I will tell you how and why I did what I did opening day of rifle season and how it worked to tag a buck this season. I will talk about scent control and why it’s a must and how learning over the last few years has changed the way I hunt. What I did this year isn’t the first time and surly won’t be the last. The last time I used this tactic it paid off the same way, tagging a mature aggressive buck. So here we go.
Let’s start off with before the hunt ever started, I hunt public land and take a trip to the woods every other week to check cameras and scout. Every trip to the woods I was seeing two bucks cross the road at the same time across this ridge and seen deer walking the flat so I knew there were deer using this area. I showed my dad the ridge picked the tree he would sit at and he tagged a nice little 8 with his bow. Knowing that another buck about that size was in the area and I wanted him to grow I considered it for a doe hunt.
A few days later I went in for a doe hunt and noticed new rubs that had to have been made from a big buck. I didn’t hunt the ridge I hunted the flat and after the prime movement time I did some scouting and found a really nice rub line made by a mature buck but it headed down into a big thick bottom and I just kept it in the back of my mind.
My preparation for deer season is a methodical one when it comes to scent control. All of my gear is washed and sprayed down with Dead Down Wind. My clothes after being washed are put in scent free air tight bags and stored until I put them on and I do a complete spray down of every layer when I’m getting dressed. Then again if I have to drive to the spot I’m hunting and again after I walk to my stand. Now let's move on to opening day.
I hunted one of my stands that should have deer moving through and did until a week prior to rifle season and didn’t see or hear anything after sunrise. The deer had been bedded down on top of the ridge I was hunting and didn’t drop down to the bottoms for one reason or the other. I know this because I walked to the top of the ridge and out the road and found fresh beds. As I walked back to camp I had a decision to make do I hunt a stand in the bottom or do I go with another area I have scouted.
After looking at my map, the weather, and considering the other hunters I chose to hunt a different area all together. I was going to hunt the flat knowing deer travel it all day long and that there is a good buck in the area. After talking to cheat he decided to hunt the ridge and we would have that area covered if the walk the flat or the ridge one of us would see them and have a shot.
After sitting at the flat for about 15 minutes and having 5 vehicles stop on the road to watch the flat I decided my best option would be to use my knowledge to walk the rub line find a good spot that has open shots and hunt the area that vehicles driving by couldn’t see me.
I followed the rub line down and across a dry creek bed and up the end of the ridge to a glade still following the trail and rub line I crossed the glade on the bottom side and then back across the creek to a flat or the most bottom between two ridges. It was very open and I could stand next to a rub and see 5 or 6 more all in a row. I evaluated the area and picked a tree to sit at, standing and picking a tree to sit at doesn’t work well due to the difference in height. After I sprayed myself down with Dead Down Wind I sat down and grunted a few times and realized that the tree line I was hoping to be able to see was blocked because of a small knoll I couldn’t see when standing along with that I could see the top of a monster rub that I hadn’t seen before and I decided I needed to move to the knoll for a better view and shooting lanes.
Even with the wind blowing from my back in the direction I was walking I had no concerns because of Dead Down Wind and the way it works. I walked to the knoll and got the full view of the rub and had to get a picture of it so I started walking. The rub line was to my left and just kept going further then I could see with trees rubs about every 15 to 20 feet sometimes closer. I slung my rifle over my shoulder and took my gloves off holding them in my right hand and digging my phone out of my pocket with my left. Still walking trying to unlock my phone I heard crashing through the woods coming in my direction. I froze and watched to see what it was and when I saw the body and rack I dropped my phone and glove to get my rifle and hope for a shot.
The buck crashed through the trees coming to a stop 10 feet away from me and I hadn’t had a chance to shoulder my rifle. He grunted and stomped hair standing on end he jumped up on his back legs kicking his front legs and lunging towards me and now at 8 feet he started grunting and pawing the ground. He used his antlers to rub and break a small tree right next to him and tossed it to my right. When his head was down I was able to shoulder my rifle but still didn’t have a shot. He stretched his head and neck to make himself look bigger and the only shot I had was a chest shot looking for the white of his neck and finding it a pulled the trigger. He turned and ran, I lost sight of him after about 10 feet and I heard a crash and nothing else. I picked up my gloves and phone and took the few steps to where he was standing and found no blood but looked in the direction he ran and started seeing blood. I walked behind the tree to the last spot I saw him with lots of blood fallowed the blood trail with my eyes and there he was dead.
This isn’t the first time I have followed a rub line and harvested a mature buck. The key with following a rub line is finding a fresh line. Not all rub lines are the same an aggressive buck will make more rubs then a non-aggressive buck and the aggressive buck is going to be more apt to defend and try and run other bucks out of his area. Knowing what type of buck is making the rubs is a big part of knowing how to hunt that buck. I most likely could have sat and rattled a few times adding in a few more grunts and he would have ran to me just the same. Grunting and still hunting is a good approach to on an aggressive buck especially if you can take small steps that make you sound like a deer walking.
Every buck is different and you have to change tactics to hunt some bucks. This buck being a fighter and aggressive he may never have made it up top due to chasing off other bucks if he thought they were nearby. From his rub on top to the spot I shot him was about a mile and a half I don’t think he would have made it on top until late that night if he did. From knowing that area I knew there were a lot of does crossing that bottom and with the peak rut coming into full swing he would be chasing does and fighting off other bucks.
Every year I learn something new and how to apply it to the way I hunt. I fully support still hunting a rub line when your first plan doesn’t work out. Make sure you always have a few plans in case one falls through. If I hadn’t had spent the time I did in the woods this year and didn’t know how often the deer used that ridge I would have never scouted that ridge and no one from my camp would have hunted it. Three deer were killed in that area this year by my camp so I stand by my opinion of time spent in the woods will pay off if you can figure out how to apply what you find to hunting.