croc2116

I was out in the woods and found a spot that looks great. It is down a hill from a hay field. The spot I was thinking of putting a treestand is between the hay field and a small river. I have seen fresh tracks crossing the river and going up the hill towards the field. I have also found some droppings. My 3 questions are should I hunt it in the afternoon or morning? How far off their trail or the river should I set up my treestand? My big concern is a four wheeler trail that is about 95 yards away from spot? Thanks to all those who respond.

timbercruiser

I would want to know how often the trail is used, so I would probably put a trail camera on it for a couple of weeks. You will know what is using the trail as well as what times of the day they are in there. If the four wheeler trail is used often the deer won't pay much attention to it at 100 yards away. As to where to set a stand, just as long as you can get to the stand without spooking everything in the woods, get up 15 or more feet and be able to see well. Of course hunting the wind is most important of all.

SJAdventures

We will have to assume that in the evening they will be traveling from their bedding area which is most likely somewhere across the river to the hay field and vis versa in the morning as they should be traveling from their feeding area back to their bedding ground across the river so you will want to govern your morning and evening hunts by that. You have to have a good wind to hunt this area. You won't want a wind blowing into the hay field in the mornings or blowing back across the river in the evenings so you have to take that in account. You won't want a wind blowing up your back and out across the trail either. You will also have to have a way in to your stand that won't allow your scent to be blown into where you believe the deer are at that time. How far between the field and the river will probably have to be decided by hunting. If your hunting in the evening and the deer are getting to you too late move closer to the river and if it is still dark when they are getting to you for the mornings then you will have to move back towards the river and hope it will get light before they get to you. You will have to stay out of the field in the mornings when going to your stand.