The weather outside has turned from hot and nasty to cool, colorful and perfect for getting into the woods a little more often. I love this time of year. I have been in the woods of and on since september because around here in northern IL where I am from squirrell season opens up the first of September. This gives me a good reason to get into the woods to check on my deer stand and make sure my trails are clear to keep my deer moving in the direction I want them to be moving in.
After settling in to my stand and letting the animals of the woods get used to me and go back to doing their normal routine, I like to take a look around and be sure there are no other people around and see if there has been any changes since I was in the woods last. I feel it is important to be very sure of your surroundings especially if you hunt in public land or on someone else's property. A nice afternoon in the stand could turn out to be a very bad situation if you aren't sure of what is around you.
Be sure to let someone know where you are going and how long you expect to be gone. This way if something goes wrong someone will know to come looking for you and where to come looking for you after a certain amount of time has passed and you haven't shown up. Be prepared even if you aren't very far from town or home. Have a way start a fire if needed, a flashlight, a fold-able limb saw, a good knife, plenty of warm clothing, and a bottle of water are just a few essentials to have in a pack of some sort.
Deer are creatures of habit and will travel pretty much the same path each and every day until the rut sets in and they go crazy for a week or two. If you know where the deer move and how they move you can pretty much choose which one you want and when you want it. There is some skill involved and maybe a little luck but mostly a pattern.
For the past ten years or so I have been strictly a meant hunter and not a trophy hunter. The fact being that my freezers are full of venison, fish, pork, beef, and vegetables from the garden I am officially a trophy hunter this year. The extra meat will come in handy but it isn't necessary, so I can afford to be picky finally. I have shot big deer in the past but it was out of necessity not sport. This year I am going to be a sportsman I guess.
Time in the woods is the best way to get the deer you are after. The more time you put in the more successful you will be as a hunter. Spend time learning the behavior of all the animals in your next of the woods. The squirrels and chipmunks let me know when something is different in the woods or someone or something is coming through the woods. Also spend time paying attention to how the wind moves through the trees, bushes and weeds. If you pay attention to what is around you and how everything reacts to the conditions in the woods you will also be more successful.
Be careful, respect nature, and good hunting to you, my friends.
Cris Coleman
