New to hunting...

Troutman10 · 07-20-2006, 04:05 PM

I'm new to hunting this year. I'll be hunting in the Watertown, NY area with the Remington 870 12 Guage that I got this winter. This Spring I shot a nice 20 lb. turkey w/ 8.5" beard which was a blast (no pun intended

). There's just a few questions that I have about deer hunting.

1.) How much of an adjustment is it when shooting from a tree stand compared to shooting on the ground?

2.) Is it too early to put up tree stands right now? I figure if I do it now and stay out of the woods closer to season then the deer will go about their routine because there won't be "human smell" around when hunting season comes.

3.) The area I'm going to hunt has the thickest cover I've seen anywhere with a small abandoned horsefield on it, no hills or ridges and a stream and small pond that dry up in summer and has water in the winter, spring and fall. It's about 15 acres. What are the most important areas to hunt?

Thanks for your time. Hopefully someone can answer my questions. There's a ton of deer in the area in general. I've seen a couple bucks already and have a trail cam up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

tj_cubin · 07-20-2006, 06:49 PM

watertown eh? i hunt sackets harbor and rodman areas

as for adjustments for a tree stand, i dont think there is very much at all unless the deer is practically underneath you. if anything you would want to aim jsut a little high to account for the downward trajectory.

i dont think its too early to put up a stand, wont hurt anything for them to get used to it, as long as you arent afraid to have it stolen

get out there and find the deer trails. look for the ones going between the thick cover, the horse pasture, and the water and set up along one of those.

and most importantly, invite me over to hunt your land

PA GOBBLER · 07-20-2006, 07:20 PM

welcome to the boards also congrats w/ your 1st turkey! you'll have the turkey bug now forever trust me.
good luck to you

stickin8s · 07-20-2006, 08:43 PM

I wouldn't worry about shooting from a tree stand, Unless your quite aways up a tree you won't need to worry. even if a deer is under you, youstill won't need to worry much because your going to be so pumped up, you probably won't be able to stay still enough. That happens to everyone so don't worry.

Troutman10 · 07-21-2006, 07:33 AM

TJ Cubin,
Grew up in the area (Worth/Barns Corners Area then moved to Dry Hill Road and now good old Chaumont). Went to SJ school. Maybe I know you. I know the Rodman area.Noone should steal the stands other than my cranky neighbor who has 250 acres. He's one of those phsyco guys that owns all the land near me and doesn't want anyone on it, but he can drive a fourwheeler across mine. [:@] Hopefully I don't wound a deer and have it go on his property. That would be a waste.

PA Gobbler,
Yeah those Turkeys are really tricky sometimes. During the middle of the season they didn't call anymore which made it tough for me being new at it. I was kicking myself in the butt for not trying to stalk them more when it was early season. I think I would have bagged another one and had my limit. That's ok. I'll get 2 next year now that I know.

Stickin,
I'll be up in my stands approx. 15-20 ft. It doesn't sound too bad of a height. Now I just gotta wait 2 1/2 more months. [:'(] Oh well.

Everyone, Thanks for the warm welcome. The area that I'm going to be hunting is only 15 acres, but def. better than nothing. There is PLENTY of cover for them in this little 15 acre lot. AND...I've seen so many deer around the area in general. Maybe all the deer will run over on my property when my crazy neighbor is hunting on his land.

Take it easy. Thanks for the response.

JLmoore1956 · 07-21-2006, 08:59 AM

let's see do hunting in Chaumont, Pillar'ss point and other parts like Rodman, and got a sweet place to hunt turkeys, turkeys galore! Near Harrisville!

MA Jay · 07-21-2006, 01:52 PM

15' to 20' feet up sounds fine early season, but after the snow starts flying you'll be able to walk right up to your tree and step into your stand!

My only suggestion is find the best load out of your particular shotgun and get good with it. Watertown is a great area, I hunted up in that area when my Sister and brother in law were stationed at Fort Drum.

jf5 · 07-21-2006, 04:34 PM

Good luck hunting and welcome!!

Troutman10 · 07-21-2006, 05:02 PM

MA jay,
We don't get an awful lot of snow down in the Chaumont area because it's closer to the lake compared to Watertown and other areas in the snow belt. We would be lucky to have a couple feet where I'll be hunting. Closer to Watertown and into the Tug Hill Plateau is where the majority of the snow flies.

JLmoore1956 · 07-21-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Troutman10

MA jay,
We don't get an awful lot of snow down in the Chaumont area because it's closer to the lake compared to Watertown and other areas in the snow belt. We would be lucky to have a couple feet where I'll be hunting. Closer to Watertown and into the Tug Hill Plateau is where the majority of the snow flies.

Well the two years I was there in Chaumont and Three Mile Bay, big sort of off white house, red trim, and huge garage.....well anyway, the year I was in Korea, it was enough snow, and the year before this past winter (was in Iraq for it) there was a lot of snow because I blew it out of the drive way. So I would say sometimes the area can get a lot! [8D]