Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
#1
Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
Got me to thinking.....
Who hunts these spots? Who has a good staging area to hunt? What is the purpose (for the deer) of this "staging area"....and why do you think they like it? What is the draw for them to this spot?
I have a GREAT staging area that's been my top producer for bucks in the short time I've been hunting them. It's also a doe haven......hence the reason I hunt does FOR bucks. I'm playing the hand I was dealt to my advantage.
This area is (area I have access to) is only about 5 acres. It's an oak flat that has about 4-5 different mast producing species. Deer will "stage" in this flat before darkness......and re-stage in this area before going into their bedding area(s).....which is only 40-50 yds from the oak flat......before bedding in the mornings. They routinely go in and out of this area in the mornings.....as they feel it'sa safe place for them to be out in the daylight. I routinely have deer in this flat on up into the late morning hours.
I wouldn't consider this area a "destination" food source.....because there are other mast producing areas that they venture to in the evenings. I suppose this is due to their natural browsing tendencies.
It really is a GREAT spot, though.....very near their sanctuary. I believe it wouldn't be NEARLY the spot it is.......if I had access to their bedding area(s).
So.....do you hunt areas like this?
Who hunts these spots? Who has a good staging area to hunt? What is the purpose (for the deer) of this "staging area"....and why do you think they like it? What is the draw for them to this spot?
I have a GREAT staging area that's been my top producer for bucks in the short time I've been hunting them. It's also a doe haven......hence the reason I hunt does FOR bucks. I'm playing the hand I was dealt to my advantage.
This area is (area I have access to) is only about 5 acres. It's an oak flat that has about 4-5 different mast producing species. Deer will "stage" in this flat before darkness......and re-stage in this area before going into their bedding area(s).....which is only 40-50 yds from the oak flat......before bedding in the mornings. They routinely go in and out of this area in the mornings.....as they feel it'sa safe place for them to be out in the daylight. I routinely have deer in this flat on up into the late morning hours.
I wouldn't consider this area a "destination" food source.....because there are other mast producing areas that they venture to in the evenings. I suppose this is due to their natural browsing tendencies.
It really is a GREAT spot, though.....very near their sanctuary. I believe it wouldn't be NEARLY the spot it is.......if I had access to their bedding area(s).
So.....do you hunt areas like this?
#2
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
I try to hunt travel corridors, mainly because I've never found a true "staging area". Thedeer I see are moving through the woods I hunt to get to a food source. I've never seen a deer hold up in the edge of a woods until it felt is was safe to move on into the field. They normally poke their head out and go to feeding.
#3
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
I hunt staging areas. On my families property in southern Illinois I prefer to hunt them. This is due to how the terrain is set up. Lots of fingers of timber between open rolling fields. I find the paths most traveled across the fields to and from bedding or food sources and that (most of the time) leads me to staging areas.
For some reason or another the deer just feel comfortable there probably due to cover, view, and a host of other variables and they willcongregate before crossing the fields to move to food sources or bedding areas. During the rut the does keep to their schedule (for the most part) and continue using the staging areas.......The bucks know this as well and that's where they can be found.
I'm a big fan of hunting beading areas especially where the terrain makes them abundant.
For some reason or another the deer just feel comfortable there probably due to cover, view, and a host of other variables and they willcongregate before crossing the fields to move to food sources or bedding areas. During the rut the does keep to their schedule (for the most part) and continue using the staging areas.......The bucks know this as well and that's where they can be found.
I'm a big fan of hunting beading areas especially where the terrain makes them abundant.
#4
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
For some reason or another the deer just feel comfortable there probably due to cover, view, and a host of other variables and they willcongregate before crossing the fields to move to food sources or bedding areas. During the rut the does keep to their schedule (for the most part) and continue using the staging areas.......The bucks know this as well and that's where they can be found.
Exactly why.
#5
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
THIS .........is why I hunt does to get to the bucks.
Exactly why.
For some reason or another the deer just feel comfortable there probably due to cover, view, and a host of other variables and they willcongregate before crossing the fields to move to food sources or bedding areas. During the rut the does keep to their schedule (for the most part) and continue using the staging areas.......The bucks know this as well and that's where they can be found.
Exactly why.
Hunting staging areas is just an extension of hunting does to get to bucks...Something I prefer to do. It's hard to fight that "urge" even by the wisest of bucks during "that time of the year"I know they will find the does......I just hope I'm there whenthey do.
#6
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
I do not like to hunt staging or destination areas.... I do not want to be where they are going, I want to catch them on their way... IMO it is to easy to get busted hunting staging / destination areas. To many "eyes and ears" if you will for my liking. [/align][/align]I am justnot comfortable going in or coming out in the darkof an area that I know has good odds of having deerutilizing it. Not worth the chance of spooking them to me.[/align][/align]I will hunt a destination area rarely if conditions call for it though.[/align]
#7
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
Hunting staging areas is just an extension of hunting does to get to bucks...Something I prefer to do. It's hard to fight that "urge" even by the wisest of bucks during "that time of the year"I know they will find the does......I just hope I'm there whenthey do.
I know my way (our way) is foreign to some......but it's what I have at my disposal. "Patience" is a great word. You just have to KNOW that they WILL find the does. They haven't disappointed, yet.
#8
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
I am justnot comfortable going in or coming out in the darkof an area that I know has good odds of having deerutilizing it. Not worth the chance of spooking them to me.
#9
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
ORIGINAL: buckeye
I do not like to hunt staging or destination areas.... I do not want to be where they are going, I want to catch them on their way... IMO it is to easy to get busted hunting staging / destination areas. To many "eyes and ears" if you will for my liking.
[/align]
[/align]I am justnot comfortable going in or coming out in the darkof an area that I know has good odds of having deerutilizing it. Not worth the chance of spooking them to me.
[/align]
[/align]I will hunt a destination area rarely if conditions call for it though.
[/align]
I do not like to hunt staging or destination areas.... I do not want to be where they are going, I want to catch them on their way... IMO it is to easy to get busted hunting staging / destination areas. To many "eyes and ears" if you will for my liking.
[/align]
[/align]I am justnot comfortable going in or coming out in the darkof an area that I know has good odds of having deerutilizing it. Not worth the chance of spooking them to me.
[/align]
[/align]I will hunt a destination area rarely if conditions call for it though.
[/align]
#10
RE: Interesting reference to "Staging Areas" in another thread
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
I have a GREAT staging area that's been my top producer for bucks in the short time I've been hunting them. It's also a doe haven......hence the reason I hunt does FOR bucks. I'm playing the hand I was dealt to my advantage.
This area is (area I have access to) is only about 5 acres. It's an oak flat that has about 4-5 different mast producing species. Deer will "stage" in this flat before darkness......and re-stage in this area before going into their bedding area(s).....which is only 40-50 yds from the oak flat......before bedding in the mornings. They routinely go in and out of this area in the mornings.....as they feel it'sa safe place for them to be out in the daylight. I routinely have deer in this flat on up into the late morning hours.
I wouldn't consider this area a "destination" food source.....because there are other mast producing areas that they venture to in the evenings. I suppose this is due to their natural browsing tendencies.
It really is a GREAT spot, though.....very near their sanctuary. I believe it wouldn't be NEARLY the spot it is.......if I had access to their bedding area(s).
I have a GREAT staging area that's been my top producer for bucks in the short time I've been hunting them. It's also a doe haven......hence the reason I hunt does FOR bucks. I'm playing the hand I was dealt to my advantage.
This area is (area I have access to) is only about 5 acres. It's an oak flat that has about 4-5 different mast producing species. Deer will "stage" in this flat before darkness......and re-stage in this area before going into their bedding area(s).....which is only 40-50 yds from the oak flat......before bedding in the mornings. They routinely go in and out of this area in the mornings.....as they feel it'sa safe place for them to be out in the daylight. I routinely have deer in this flat on up into the late morning hours.
I wouldn't consider this area a "destination" food source.....because there are other mast producing areas that they venture to in the evenings. I suppose this is due to their natural browsing tendencies.
It really is a GREAT spot, though.....very near their sanctuary. I believe it wouldn't be NEARLY the spot it is.......if I had access to their bedding area(s).