Join the Challenge of the Wild: Hunt the Gray Ghost – Part 2

How does a man learn whitetail deer hunting if he did not grow up in a hunting culture?

Recently I was thinking about all the times I had conversations with men that never hunted. They would often express how they would like to start hunting “someday.” These thoughts inspired the writing of this series of articles.

If you have not read Part 1 of this series I would recommend you read it to get more background and context to the article below. (Read: Join the Challenge of the Wild: Hunt the Gray Ghost – Part 1)

The information included in this series is based upon my experience chasing after the gray ghosts of the North American wilderness. The intention is to give you a starting point to hunting these incredible animals. This is not intended to be a comprehensive plan. There are more aspects to each topic I could have included. But what I did include will give you a good foundation to start hunting whitetail deer.

As I have said before, I hope these articles will stir you to join the chase! Enjoy!

Types of Stands

Ground Stands

An easy stand to build is a ground fort. This involves utilizing fallen trees and branches to make a small fort that provides concealment. This stand costs nothing more than a little sweat equity.

Hunting from a ground fort can be an effective way to hunt. This is especially true for gun hunters or crossbow hunters that do not need to get as close as bowhunters. However, I have successfully used ground forts for bowhunting.

When gun hunting, I like to build these stands in locations that allow me to see a reasonable distance and cover more ground. I use them often while hunting in the mountains. Normally I will build them on the side of a ridge looking into an area below.

Ground forts are good options when learning a new area. In this situation, you will likely move around until you figure out how the deer move. After you understand how deer travel, you can zero in on the best location for stand placement.

Covering your scent is always critical when hunting whitetail deer. When hunting from the ground, this is even more important. Be mindful of wind direction. Attempt to understand where deer will travel through the area and build your stand downwind.

Ground forts are an excellent option when hunting with a youngster. When my son and I hunt together, we build several stands a distance away from each other. If he gets cold or is just ready to move, we hike from one fort to the next. This has worked well for us.

Portable Tree Stands

The most portable stands are climber stands. They are light enough to pack on your back and haul deep into the woods. When I go deep in the woods, this is my preferred stand. They wrap around the tree, are used to climb and then secure 15 to 20 feet off the ground. These stands give you a significant advantage because you are above the ordinary sight of deer and can see well.

It is an advantage to be above deer. Depending upon the wind and air currents, this can help with scent control. With that said, you should still make sure you are diligent in doing the things you need to do to cover your scent.

Climber stands do not have ladders or steps. Because of this there is nothing at eye level that would grab the attention of a deer. This is another advantage of the climber stand.

Safety is vital with all stands that are at heights. Many hunters have fallen from tree stands and died or suffered severe injuries. Make sure you are wearing fall protection. A climber stand used correctly with a harness is safe. Use your harness. Also, thoroughly inspect your harness and your stand prior to use.

Permanent box or Ladder Stands

Hunters place these stands intending to leave them in their location. Because of this, they use them while hunting private land or land no one else hunts. Hunting from these stands is comfortable and they offer more room than others. Because they are heavier, hunters generally do not use them when hiking deep into the woods.

Placing several stands on a property gives you hunting options. You can position them based upon deer activity and have morning stands and evening stands. Because they are permanent, there is no set up needed. This makes it easy to move in and out of these stands without alerting deer.

Stand placement

When placing a stand, think about cover. If using a tree stand, look at the location from the ground. How does it look? Is there cover in the background and foreground? The best stand locations will break up your outline both in front of you and behind you.

Make sure your stand is not in line with the deer’s regular line of sight. Think about where the trails run and where you expect deer to travel. Locate your stand, so deer must move their head off their normal plane to look at you.

Think about wind direction and air currents. Do not place your stand upwind from the area you expect deer to travel. If in the process of getting to the location you hunt, you must walk across deer trails, cover your scent. If you can, avoid leather boots or boots with material that absorbs moisture. These boots will carry scents that will alert deer to your presence.

One way to combat this is to tie scent rags to your boots that will drag as you walk. Cover them with something like fox urine. Fox urine is strong and covers scent well.

Hiking into the Stand

When hiking into the stand be sure to cover your scent. There are many products on the market today to do this. Do your research. I will include a few on my recommended equipment page. Ensure your hunting clothes are free from smells not normal to the wild. Again there are many scent-free products available to use to wash your hunting clothes.

Learn how to walk in the woods without making noise. Avoid stepping on small branches and dried leaves. When possible walk on worn paths or trails or roads that are typically cleared of debris. Think about wind direction. Think about bedding areas or well-used deer trails and avoid them on the way to your stand.

If you choose to hunt using a portable tree stand you will likely be setting up your stand in the dark. So, get familiar with your stand. Know how to set it up and do it quietly. Fix rattles and metal on metal noises. Use tape or something to minimize set up noise so you do not disrupt the natural way of the wild. As a hunter your goal is to blend into the wild around you. So think through the things you will need to do to setup your stand and be prepared.

Plan ahead on what you will wear on stand. Sweat on cold days will shorten the time you are able to stay on stand. If your hike is short and you can pace yourself to not sweat and you will be fine. If you have a long hike you may consider wearing something light to get to your stand. Once you arrive you can change into dry clothes before climbing into your stand for the day. When I do this I wrap all my sweaty clothes in a plastic bag, tie it up and bury it under the leaves at the base of my stand. I will also put some kind of cover scent around the area before getting into my stand.

Next Week: Part 3

Next week we will continue with the last part of this series, “Join the Challenge of the Wild: Hunt the Gray Ghost.” Upcoming topics in this series will include getting ready on stand, shot placement, after the kill, and essential equipment.

Also, be sure to visit my “Recommended Equipment” page. I will continue to post more products that can help you get started on your journey and join the chase.

In the meantime, do your research. Learn safety, the characteristics of the whitetail deer, places to hunt, and types of stands. If you have questions or comments, contact me by clicking “EMAIL” on my main menu bar.

As always I appreciate your visit to Men of Grit!

In your corner,

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”