In a way it does - but knowledge of the woods alone is of no help IMO. I can know where every tree, trail, rub and scrape are - still doesn't mean I will set up in the right spot. The reason we as hunters want knowledge of the woods is so WE CAN SETUP in the RIGHT LOCATION....thats why Stand Location is #1 for me.

Might as well keep on going - this is JMO

Same thing with scouting - its important but...you can spend everyday scouting and still not set up correct. And again the reason we scout is so we CAN SETUP in the RIGHT LOCATION.

Scent and wind? - You could hunt and be completely scent free - and if a big buck aint comming under you - he still won't come under you - If your stand is in the wrong spot. But you can stink like a horses A[][] and still have a good chance IF your stand is in a tree that a big buck is walking under that day. Got a better than 50% chance he will be upwind of you. -

Time in the stand......If it aint in the right area you can hunt every day for 10 yrs and it wont help. Give me a handfull of days in the right spot over 100 days in the wrong spot - any day of the week.

10 yrs experience - The only use of this is if in that ten years you have LEARNED WHERE to hunt......again - stand location


To sum it up - you can do every other thing 100% correct - and if you have not stuck yourself in a tree that a mature deer is going to walk under - you will not get him.

But you CAN do everthing on that list absolutely ARSE BACKWARDS - but if a big boy is on a route to walk under you - Your odds are 100 times better than the first scenario

99% of the battle IMO is just getting to where there going