Field hunting strategies
 

For all of you that hunt fields in the early season, what techniques do you use to get OUT of your stands in the evening. Typically, as you all know, fields are often filled with deer by the time darkness falls, so what do you do to keep from completely spooking everything and ruining the spot?

I've heard someone say before that they drop their backpack, which causes a noise that startles deer, but not enough that they know it's a "human" noise.

A couple times last year, I was waiting on bucks to get in range, but darkness came and I was covered in does.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

Scratch the tree like a racoon was climbing down or something. Works for me when i have deer around me at dark.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

Jump! :D

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

Find an exit that goes all the way around the field, thereby not spooking the deer. You might have to go the extra mile so that you do not educate the deer of your presence. I would suggest not stepping one foot in that field after dark if you can help it.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

There's also a bit of this discussion on GMMAT's thread about "destination = long sits" a couple threads below on the front page...

Ideally, you want to exit through the woods without spooking anything off their feeding pattern, especially if you want to try the same hunt a different night.

Later in the year, I've rattled and/or snort-wheezed to clear them out of the area, though I prefer not to.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

No, I would never walk through the field. I mean the simple act of getting out of the stand. I use a ladder stand in this spot, which helps, but I'm still worried about them seeing the movement of me climbing down.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

2 things that I have done is wait til it gets dark 1/2 hour or so after it gets dark or 1 time I had a buck 100 yards out and I blew on a coyote call. He took off pretty quick.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

I really like the idea of a coyote call. Especially cuz I've seen a pack of four roaming on the farm I hunt.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

I've sat out there for 5 hours after dark for the deer to move deeper into the field so I can get down. I figure if I can sit there all day, I can sit there all night if necessary (although that would really suck). But the Yote call sounds interesting.

RE: Field hunting strategies
 

Coyote call is what i use also. I just bought a cheap one, like 10$ or so. And if i have deer in the field, i just use it. The deer scatter. Also, it works well because the deer know that sound and its a natural sound.