Posted: 9/25/2013 5:31:54 PM EDT
Where would y'all put a blind at? Hill to the south of the main clearing is very steep. Wind is going to be dependent on the day as if its a winter like day, its a north/northwest but spring time weather is south/southwest. Main clearing is planted in elban rye and winter mix for my father in laws winter pasture.
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Also consider the prevailing wind direction. Oops -- you covered that already. Based on winds, I'd consider the pocket of trees on the East end of the field, but that may not be ideal. There's no scale to judge distance from. And you know the area, but I'd want to look at what's beyond the edges of the photo to consider potential backstop issues. |
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Quoted:
Also consider the prevailing wind direction. Oops -- you covered that already. Based on winds, I'd consider the pocket of trees on the East end of the field, but that may not be ideal. There's no scale to judge distance from. And you know the area, but I'd want to look at what's beyond the edges of the photo to consider potential backstop issues. This is my first time hunting this location and it's a crap shoot this year. There will be no backstop issues. Everything to the west is thick dense woods, the North is a gradual incline and will stop bullets, the south is the steep hill, and the east is another open pasture that leads into a creek bottom. Roughly from the feeder to the finger of trees on the north east side of the clearing is 190-200 yards. I will measure it this weekend to verify though. |
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I'd consider two positions, the small tree to the west of your arrow, or, like the previous poster, the southern edge of the finger of trees in the east side of the field.
If I were in your position, I would set the blind at the first position and observe deer movement before adjusting the blind's position for an optimal shot. |
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I would set up at the entrance for a few days and observe from a distance then decide from there.
The problem I see is that if deer are already in the field or near the edges you are going to have a hard time not spooking, especially in the morning. Afternoon hunts will be easier to sneak across the field as you can go early and beat the deer there. I know it goes against what most of us prefer to do but I would consider setting up directly south of the feeder despite the average wind direction. You will have plenty of trees and be in a enclosure to help keep your scent from moving too far. You could even use some scent cover products. I have done this time to time and it has worked. The good thing about a pop up is that it's easily moveable. If one spot is too far or doesn't work you can just move it mid day and be back hunting in the evening. Keep as many windows closed as you can and wear dark clothing and face mask. I've had animals walk right in front of me and even had a cow stick its head in the window. |
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if there is a stream and trees to the right, and some cover, the does may enter the field from the right.
if there is habitant to the right, the bucks may be moving through the horizontal strip of trees in the middle of the pic. that would be a natural choke point, with a secondary choke point at the inside corner inside the treeline by the feeder. for an afternoon hunt, I would set up in the horizontal strip of trees for a morning hunt, I would stay in the trees to the right of the edge of the pic that finger of trees going south from the horizontal lone of trees coud be a staging area. i would look in there and the horizontal strip for sign.. |
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I ended up putting the blind in the group of trees to the south of the feeder. Distance to feeder is 84 yards.
Distance from feeder to finger of trees due east is 178 yards and I have to cross another cross fence. Distance from feeder to clump of trees south east by in trance is 256 yards and is in a draw and not conducive for a good shot. Plus I have to cross that same cross fence again. |