COMMON MISTAKES HUNTERS MAKE ON THEIR STANDS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM TAKING DEER

EDITOR'S NOTE:

George Mayfield, the owner of The Roost Hunting Lodge in Aliceville, Alabama, has a wealth of deer-hunting information that can make you more successful afield. Here's the most common mistakes he sees hunters make that keep them from bagging deer.

QUESTION: What are the most common mistakes hunters make on their stands that prevent them from taking deer?

ANSWER: We had a couple of examples just recently at The Roost. One guy let a 150-class buck get away because he was eating a can of Beanie-Weanies and spooked the deer. And a hunter didn't bag a 130-class buck because he bumped his stand and spooked the deer. There are a million reasons people let deer get away. I've found that generally the biggest mistakes a hunter makes come from not paying attention and letting a deer approach him or her without seeing that deer. Then the hunter panics or misses the shot. To hunt your best and be the most focused, you need to be well rested, focused and attentive. When you pay money for a chance to take quality bucks, you need to be serious about it.

QUESTION: George, how much does The Roost charge to hunt deer there?

ANSWER: $500 a day.

QUESTION: What is the minimum stay at The Roost?

ANSWER: The Roost doesn't have a minimum-length stay. Hunters can come for one day or stay as long as they want.

QUESTION: How early do hunters need to book their hunts?

ANSWER: Well, for instance during the 1999 - 2000 hunting season, if you wanted any particular dates, you should have booked your hunt no later than mid-September 1999. Although we make every effort to fit everyone in, to pick your dates, you must book early.

QUESTION: What dates does The Roost still have open for this 1999 - 2000 deer-hunting season?

ANSWER: The majority of the dates we have open are during the Christmas holidays 1999, which is a good time to hunt. However, a lot of people have family obligations during that time that keep them from hunting. If you want to come to The Roost after the holidays, you really should book now for next year.

You can contact George Mayfield at The Roost, P.O. Box 509, Aliceville, AL 35442, (205) 373-3147 for more information.

Check back each day this week for more from George Mayfield...

Day One - Visiting The Roost In Aliceville, AL
Day Two - How The Roost Raises Deer...
Day Three - Where You Should Set Up Your Stand...
Day Four - How Often You Should Hunt A Stand
Day Five - Common Mistakes Hunters Make...

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