Starvin Larry

We’re getting closer to the start of archery seasons in many states now,about 6 weeks or so to go.

Now is the time to check to be sure you have clear shooting lines from your stand (s) and/or ground blind (s).

Hike to your stand,carrying a folding saw,and hand pruners in your daypack.

Sit where you will be sitting while hunting.

Look for any branches or brush that would be in the way of you making a clear shot.

Trim all branches and brush back more than they will grow in the next month or so,you should be able to tell how much they have grown from when you set up your stand/blind a month or so ago. Trim them back at least 6″ more than you think they will grow-you want this to be the last time you trim stuff near your blind.Once you start trimming,place all the branches and brush you have cut in a pile,when done trimming,use the stuff from the pile to “brush in” your blind-you can also do the same to your tree stand,using some green or brown garden twine.

The idea is to break up the profile of your stand/blind,do it is not as visible to the deer.

The reason for setting up the stands/blinds a month or so back was so that the deer got used to them being there,and didn’t associate them with danger.

Now that they are used to them,go ahead and camouflage them up better using the trimmings from cutting your shooting lanes. If that’s not enough,trim off more twigs and branches from surrounding trees and shrubs.

The object is not to make your blind/stand to look like something-it’s to make it look like nothing-same idea with your personal camo.

Good explanation of camouflage here…

“Remember:

Camo is a concept (i.e., how to blend into one’s environment), not a pattern.”

http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/personal-camouflage/

While the above is for personal camo- many of the same things apply to your stand/blind.

The thing you are trying to do is to make your blind/stand appear to be just a part of the forest,field,swamp-wherever it’s located.

You don’t want to try and make it look like a tree or shrub-you want to try to make it look like it’s a part many trees/shrubs-not a blob that’s got some branches sticking out of it.

It’s not an easy thing to explain-camo is a concept,it’s not any one pattern for your clothing,or your blind/stand-you want to blend into your surroundings,look like just a normal part of the field/swamp/forest when someone-or some animal-looks at the location you want them to see a part of the surroundings-not something that does not blend in.

I’ll post some pics soon-I’m just not all that great at taking cell phone pics-then getting them onto the computer-then finding them again to post.

I may have to seek the help of the kids.

Once you have your blind/stand brushed in,and it blends in with it’s surroundings,start putting out corn if it’s legal where you live. I do not use feeders here in Ohio,I just  spread some shelled corn on the ground-not in a pile-spread it around about a 6′ diameter circle,add some cob corn to the area as well. Not putting the corn in a pile not only keeps the deer in one place longer,it helps to prevent the spread of disease between deer.

Check your mineral blocks-if they have been mostly licked down to the halfway point or more-put new ones out. I’ll add some regular salt blocks now too-I buy the stockman’s blocks with added minerals when they’re on sale,and use some of both regular salt block,and salt+ minerals.

Remember,you are putting them out not only to attract the deer,but to help keep the local deer herd  healthy,and to insure the bucks have the nutrients they need to grow big racks.

I buy a large block at the feed store,or Tractor Supply,then I cut it up into blocks about the size of the mineral blocks. Cut them at least 2-2 1/2″ thick,3-4″ wide,and 8-12″ long.

I use a pruning blade on a sawzall to cut up the big block-goes through it like it’s cutting butter.

Remember to visit each stand/blind at times when deer are least likely to be in the area.

Since you’re in the woods-be sure to check the deer trails to see what their main food source is,then figure out when they will go from that to acorns,and plan your hunts accordingly.

Check your trail tacks or surveyors tape to make sure all your trails are still clearly marked.

That’s it for this one-more coming soon.

Read.

Learn.

Train.

Do more PT !