John's Journal...

Terrain and Tactics – The Art of Positioning a Tree Stand to Hunt Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips

Day 5: How to Hide a Honeyhole to Hunt Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips

Editor’s Note: Tree stand placement not only determines how-many deer you’ll spot but also your likelihood of seeing a big buck.

Click for Larger ViewClick for Larger ViewIf you locate a good tree stand site, another hunter may find it, hunt that area with a bad wind and then spook the deer you want to take. To locate a tree stand site where someone else has hunted, you only have to look for cigarette filters and candy wrappers under a tree. Or, search for scars or broken bark on trees where someone has used climbing tree stand.

Here's what some friends of mine do to have secret tree stand sites that won't alert other hunters. You can buy a cordless drill and a drill bit about the diameter of a bolt. Locate your tree stand site, and drill holes big enough for the bolts to fit into in the side of the tree. Then, put the bolts in the holes as you climb the tree, while wearing some type of safety harness or safety belt that goes around the tree yet allows you to climb while drilling and putting-in bolts. Once you reach the place where you want to attach your fixed-position tree stand, mark the spot with Bright Eyes tacks that reflect light. Come down, taking the bolts out of the tree as you descend.

When you want to hunt, go to the tree, carry your fixed-position stand on your back, put on your safety harness or belt, and place the bolts in as you climb the tree. When you reach the two Bright Eyes thumbtacks you've inserted earlier, attach the fixed-position stand, climb into the stand, and pull-up either your gun or your bow. Once you finish hunting, use your pull-up rope to let your gun or bow down. Then remove your fixed-position stand, and take the bolts out of the tree as you climb down the tree. The small holes you've drilled won't attract the attention of other hunters. Even if they do, they probably won’t determine the significance of the holes.

Click for Larger ViewClick for Larger ViewUsing this technique, you can create a large number of stand sites on the property you have to hunt without ever giving away your stand sites to other hunters, if you don’t leave litter there to mark your spot. Practice the art of locating a tree stand, and you'll have more success afield this season.

To get John E. Phillips’ Kindle books, “Bowhunting Deer: The Secrets of the PSE Pros,” “How to Hunt Deer Like a Pro” and “How to Hunt Deer Up Close: With Bows, Rifles, Muzzleloaders and Crossbows,” click on them, or go to http://www.ASAzon.com/kindle-ebooks, type in the name of the book, and download it to your Kindle, and/or download a Kindle app for your iPad, SmartPhone or computer.

About the Author

John Phillips, winner of the 2012 Homer Circle Fishing Award for outstanding fishing writer by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors. Click here for more information and a list of all the books available from John E. Phillips.


Check back each day this week for more about "Terrain and Tactics – The Art of Positioning a Tree Stand to Hunt Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips"

Day 1: Why and Where to Set Up Tree Stands in Funnel Areas to Hunt Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips and Larry Norton
Day 2: How to Find and Hunt Natural Feeding Sites for Deer Using a Tree Stand with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips
Day 3: Using Tree Stands to Hunt Agricultural Fields for Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips
Day 4: How to Hunt Non-Traditional Tree Stand Sites for Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips
Day 5: How to Hide a Honeyhole to Hunt Deer with Outdoor Writer John E. Phillips

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Entry 736, Day 5