Tips for Bow hunting a ditch.
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Where I hunt there is a ton of deer sign in a ditch that is about 600 yards long and 80 yards wide with a creek running through it. It is always loaded with deer throughout. Its moderately thick with good trees PLENTY of trees to hang a stand in or climb. The problem is that when we hunt it we always jump deer going in wether it is in the morning or in the evening. Any tips on how to get in there and get set up with out jumping deer.
#2
jd, If I were huntingan area, I would get into the tree I hunt from at least an hour before the sun comes up. I wouldn't worry too much about jumping deer that early especially if you were to sneak in. Preparation is the key to a successfull hunt.
When you wash your clothes, use an unscented detergent. There are good ones made just for hunting clothes but if you can't get any of that then use "20 mule team borax" Use a good scent free soap on you body and hair. "whitetail specialties" makes a great product. Use a cover scent on your clothes and boots. The whole idea is not to have any human odor on you.
After you get set up in your stand it could take a few hours for the deer to come back. I have had deer bedded 20 feet from a tree I put my stand in. I climbed the tree(I use a climbing stand) and dropped my arrows, so I went down and got them, then I dropped my hat, went after it, then dropped my release, and went after it. 3 deer walked away shortly afterward. 4 hours later a deer came right down the trail. So it isn't impossible to get a deer after spooking some deer.
Go ahead and try it! you will never get one if ya don't. This could be your favorite place from now on. Everyone gets a honeyhole sooner or later, sounds like you got yours!
When you wash your clothes, use an unscented detergent. There are good ones made just for hunting clothes but if you can't get any of that then use "20 mule team borax" Use a good scent free soap on you body and hair. "whitetail specialties" makes a great product. Use a cover scent on your clothes and boots. The whole idea is not to have any human odor on you.
After you get set up in your stand it could take a few hours for the deer to come back. I have had deer bedded 20 feet from a tree I put my stand in. I climbed the tree(I use a climbing stand) and dropped my arrows, so I went down and got them, then I dropped my hat, went after it, then dropped my release, and went after it. 3 deer walked away shortly afterward. 4 hours later a deer came right down the trail. So it isn't impossible to get a deer after spooking some deer.
Go ahead and try it! you will never get one if ya don't. This could be your favorite place from now on. Everyone gets a honeyhole sooner or later, sounds like you got yours!
#3
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,199
Likes: 1
From: Blossvale, New York
You must be a bumbling stumbling fool if they catch you every time.
Try a different route in, arrive a little earlier or maybe even wait until it gets light enough to glass and see what deer are in the way. 600 yards by 80 yards is not exactly what I call a DITCH.... more like a gully.
Find the least intrusive entrance and slink in slow and quiet with out lights etc etc. Forget any deer you bump in the dark. I hope you're not hunting the same tree all the time. Hang a couple stands and leave them. You said "WE"..... well WE ALL can be making to much noise or stink. Grab the offenders by the collar and tell them to STOP IT. If there is a WE... you might think about hunting opposite ends of the place... what one spooks the other can see.
Try a different route in, arrive a little earlier or maybe even wait until it gets light enough to glass and see what deer are in the way. 600 yards by 80 yards is not exactly what I call a DITCH.... more like a gully.
Find the least intrusive entrance and slink in slow and quiet with out lights etc etc. Forget any deer you bump in the dark. I hope you're not hunting the same tree all the time. Hang a couple stands and leave them. You said "WE"..... well WE ALL can be making to much noise or stink. Grab the offenders by the collar and tell them to STOP IT. If there is a WE... you might think about hunting opposite ends of the place... what one spooks the other can see.




