[Excalhntr63]

Great video. I have multiple stands set up for different wind directions. Also multiple climber locations, with reflective tack paths , to trees , that are prepped to hunt. Meaning trimmed shooting lanes etc. For setting up in the dark I put two tacks at eye level. So I know the height to set up. I often take the climber out and hang on tree, right before dark, the day before a morning hunt. I also hunt as high as 30 ft. or more ,depending on topography, and wind currents. I use wind floaters, not puff bottles, it's amazing , how the currents are far different then actual direction. I seldom hunt same stand more than twice in a row, regardless of deer activity. Alot of the stands/locations are morning or evening specific, for various reasons. This routine, has put some dandies on my wall over the years. As well as kept my freezer full!

 

[Excalhntr63]

Last Sunday morning I was hunting right beside a road on my club and I saw a bobcat coming down the road up against the bank of the road on my side. He passed by me and as soon as he did I turned around so I could see the point where I stepped off the road into the woods fully expecting him to spook when he hit my back trail. When he got there he did suddenly stop and drop his head smelling and then took a step up the bank and smelled the ground again and then backed up and just went walking on up the road completely unconcerned. I was wearing a pair of Muck Woody Max boots with my pants legs tucked into the boots. It worked on a bobcat at least.

In my predator hunting, I've called in many bobcats and killed a couple. I made one into a rug and one into a full body mount. Didn't kill any more than the two. They aren't really concerned with scent, like you might think they would be. Now coyotes ,will put a deer to shame. I think they can smell where you were a week ago.

 

[Excalhntr63]

I completely agree with this video. I also believe that the deer can get used to your smell and learn to not be bothered by it. I am in the woods year-round every four days or so on one of the two properties I am allowed to hunt. Each time I go, even in the off-season I am sure to leave some high protein deer feed for them. This is my 7th year there and I am pretty much the only one that hunts there (other than a buddy who goes about 3 times a season). It is very common for me to walk in, dump a coffee can of food out, and within an hour have deer walking all over the place in front of me. Two nights ago, I crawled out of my blind while a fat doe fed about 40 yards away and I walked along the wood line, away from her back to the truck. Once at the truck she was still on camera eating.

The other property I hunt is a working farm and 6 of us hunt there and it is a completely different story. I can't go there during the off season like I do at the other place. Sometimes I can go days without seeing a deer during the season even though they have soybeans and corn planted in the fields.

When my time comes that I can't hunt any longer, I will more than likely keep going to the one property year-round and take care of the deer providing them with a high protein diet. They will become more like pets then I guess.

I agree they can get used to human scent, to some degree. I have two stands within 150 yards of my back door. I had a doe and 2 fawn's feeding in my backyard at about 15 yards yesterday for about 25 minutes. It was kind of funny though ,she kept sticking her nose up and sniffing around even, though I know she could smell human scent in the area. She didn’t seem to care. However when I get in the woods, anywhere else. They seem to know the scent doesn't belong in that concentration in that particular area.