I'm not sure where Carrolton is, but I live and hunt around Poplar Bluff in butler county.

I think I understand what you're saying about the pines and clear cuts, but if you can find a saddle, you should be able to narrow it down which way the deer will approach. You can also use the thermals to help you on a morning hunt. If a ridge runs say roughly north and south, and you can find a narrow saddle in it, then your deer will walk 99.9% of the time either from east to west or west to east. If you can find a tree suitable for a stand on the north and south ends of the saddle, you have a great set up for a morning hunt. On a cold morning, the thermals will cause your scent to rise and go in the direction of the wind......so even in a less than stellar wind direction, you can still hunt there undetected for probably 3 hours or so. That's the great thing about hunting from a stand in a saddle...you get your scent up higher and then the thermals carry it higher. Don't discount the wind....and don't believe the scent lok motto either. Deer can and will smell ou if they are downwind.

Good luck man!


GH