All Boats Leak a Little

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

Every hunting situation has a glitch. There's always a defect, always a problem, always a slow leak.

The question isn't, "is this perfect?" The question is, "will this get me close to a big buck?"

Sometimes we make the mistake of ignoring the big leaks, the ones that threaten our success in the field.

More often, though, we're so busy fixing tiny leaks that we get distracted from the real goal, which is to harvest a good buck.

-Jim
http://jimcollyer.com/

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Where will the Deer Leave the Crop Field

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

Deer prefer to leave a crop field with the wind at their backs. I believe they do this naturally in order to detect any predators which might be following them. A change in wind direction will change where the deer leave the field. There’s no sense waiting for deer to leave the field unless the wind is directly in your face.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

Beware of the Bottoms

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

I try to keep my stand on the highest ground possible. There is more deer activity in the bottom lands during daylight hours, but the danger of the daytime air thermals lifting your scent and spreading it for several hundred yards in all directions is just too great. Always opt for a stand high on the ridge.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

Morning Stands

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

Morning stands are generally more productive than evening stands. With the exception of early-season hunting in mountainous terrain. In those instances an evening stand at the base of the mountain is for more productive since it utilizes the evening air thermal direction.
-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

The Perfect Funnel

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

I’m looking for a funnel that lies in a north-south direction, with access from the eastern side. It’s best if there is enough cover to keep your approach to the stand undetected. Once I found such a set up, I leave the area alone until I’m ready to hunt. There’s no sense mucking up the good set by over scouting. If deer detect the presence of humans they won’t necessarily quit using the funnel, just quit using it during the daylight hours.
-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

The Truth About Ground Scrapes

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

I’ve always been amazed at how some experts can take something as simple as a ground scrape and imagine the choreography of a complicated breeding ritual.

Scraping activity has more to do with letting other bucks know he is in the area than it does with attracting does, think of it as very similar to how male dogs mark areas belonging to them. I’m sure that you have seen how the pooch lifts his leg on the corners of buildings, bushes, car tires, and fire hydrants, and then how the next dog to pass by will leave his own little remembrance in the same locations. It’s as if whoever pees last wins. It truly isn’t any more complicated than that.
-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

Proficiency

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

The key measure of hunting success is the hunters proficiency. Your ability to locate game, remain undetected, and shoot straight are the measures of a woodsman. These skills have to become second nature to you.
-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/