ORIGINAL: Rack-attack
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.
But.....if you have no or minimal knowledge of the woods what chance do you have of setting up in the right spot??
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.
Again........what are your chances of setting up properly if you have not done your homework (scouting)??
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.
What if the big boy WAS coming your way but caught wind of you and changed his direction..........you never saw him.........but would you have if you were scent free?
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.
The only problem I see with that is any given tree can be heaven one day and hell the next.........it isn't really that the location is good or bad.........more like the timing.
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.
I see what you're saying more as a timing thing then a location thing. Hell, a mature buck probably walks past 1,000 trees a week. They are all good if you happen to be in them at the right time.
I just see all the other categories as cyclical. They are all dependant on each other in some way, shape or form. None does you much good without the others.........none stand out to me as a difference maker on their own.
Put me (and only me) in a sweet ol' food plot where big boys like to nibble and chase does and I'll take my chances with all the other stuff
