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Iso
by AustinC. 05/21/24 05:01 PM
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How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
#4042907
12/20/23 01:38 PM
12/20/23 01:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 4 Lauderdale County, AL
jm735
OP
spike
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OP
spike
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 4
Lauderdale County, AL
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I've recently been hunting a section of a WMA (area is ~650 acres) that is very deep and not accessed often. It is a huge stretch of hardwoods with small patches of pines along the ridges. It is very hilly, nearly mountainous, and is constant mix of saddles, ridges, bottoms, and bowls.
I've hunted twice now with all day sits. Found more scrapes than I can count, maybe 25, and tons of rubs to go along with them. Did not see a deer the first hunt, then saw some does throughout the day on the second hunt. Have not found a single hint of human sign, I just don't think anyone in this area of AL can/will go back this far. It is remote.
The problem I'm encountering, is I cannot decide where to hunt. Like I said, there are saddles everywhere, buck sign everywhere, excellent open hardwoods mixed with enough cover for bedding, and I can go deeper & deeper avoiding pressure (just getting further from the truck). I'm surprised I did not see a buck. I'm essentially asking for some sort of direction here, I just can't decide. If i were so to speak "hunt the edges" where I am sitting near mixing of areas (such as near a very thick briared field, pine thicket, and hardwoods in a corner), I could not go deeper as everything past 0.5 mile from the road is constant big woods.
Thanks for your time
Alabama Native Pursuits: Deer, Turkey, Duck, Squirrel, and Dove
Auburn University Alumni BS- Building Science
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: jm735]
#4042926
12/20/23 02:29 PM
12/20/23 02:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 10,689 Central, Al
Bustinbeards
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 10,689
Central, Al
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I hunt much terrain like you are describing and have had good success. Killed one Monday in an area just like you are describing.
You don’t need a stand just sit on the ground or a millennium tree seat Sit up top and watch the first bench or saddles in the mornings. Especially if they are near thick briars/bedding.
You will Need to be lower in the evenings because the thermals will be pulling your scent down.
Make sure you have the prevailing wind to your face and always be aware of the thermals pulling your scent up in the morning and pulling scent down In The evening. The thermals will swap and overpower any prevailing winds.
Originally Posted By: Wiley Coyote Well, the way I see it is there's just too many assholes On a good day there's a bunch of assholes in here. On a bad day there's too many assholes in here.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: Bustinbeards]
#4042962
12/20/23 03:17 PM
12/20/23 03:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 523 Behind some dogs
000buck
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 523
Behind some dogs
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I hunt much terrain like you are describing and have had good success. Killed one Monday in an area just like you are describing.
You don’t need a stand just sit on the ground or a millennium tree seat Sit up top and watch the first bench or saddles in the mornings. Especially if they are near thick briars/bedding.
You will Need to be lower in the evenings because the thermals will be pulling your scent down.
Make sure you have the prevailing wind to your face and be aware of the thermals pulling your scent up in the morning and pulling scent down In The evening. Good advice here. Mornings, I like to be on the down wind side of south and south East especially hill sides. Like sit on the north side of a ridge to watch the south side of the other ridge. Preferably with a. Transition line or ceder thickit near by. Afternoons, I like to be in the bottoms of the hollers watching a funnel or pinch point. Them thermals will mess u up on that kind of terrain. Just part of it. And don’t get to caught up on them “pretty” woods. Them good deer like to stay hidden while moving I feel like.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: 000buck]
#4042994
12/20/23 03:56 PM
12/20/23 03:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 4 Lauderdale County, AL
jm735
OP
spike
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OP
spike
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 4
Lauderdale County, AL
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Okay, I will try this out. Thank you for your help.
Ive been hunting from the ground but really will feel more comfortable from a tree. Unfortunately saddle hunting setups cost an arm & leg, and thus not in my price range. I might attempt a budget mobile tree setup.
Alabama Native Pursuits: Deer, Turkey, Duck, Squirrel, and Dove
Auburn University Alumni BS- Building Science
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: jm735]
#4043121
12/20/23 06:28 PM
12/20/23 06:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,815 Montgomery
bamaeyedoc
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,815
Montgomery
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Pack a folding chair and some camo netting if you can find a small area of flat terrain. That tree seat sounds like a great idea too.
AKA: “Dr. B” Aldeer #121 8-3-2000 Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA Member of Team 10 Point 2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners
Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris 1938-2017 UGA Class of 1960 BS/MS Forestry LTJG, USNR
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: bamaeyedoc]
#4043199
12/20/23 08:32 PM
12/20/23 08:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 642 Alabaster
ShootemupTex
Went Ass First
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Went Ass First
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 642
Alabaster
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Pack a folding chair and some camo netting if you can find a small area of flat terrain. That tree seat sounds like a great idea too. This is what I have been doing. If you find a Grove of trees like two or tree decent ones close the camo netting will stick the bark when pulled taught. Has a buck run right up on me Monday in a similar situation as yours. All I need is enough netting to cover me from about the elbows down.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: jm735]
#4043480
12/21/23 06:51 AM
12/21/23 06:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,390 By the River
antlerhunter
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,390
By the River
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First, have a plan on how you’re going to get one back to the truck from way back in there. As I get older, that is now my #1 deciding factor and n where I hunt. Getting older is tough on a hunter that has worn out many boots over the years hunting areas similar to what you are describing. You just need to keep going to the area, seems you have found a good place and a hot doe will bring the boys out, hopefully you’re there when one gets ready.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.... (Seuss)
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: antlerhunter]
#4043485
12/21/23 07:03 AM
12/21/23 07:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,066 Colbert County
Teacher One
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,066
Colbert County
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First, have a plan on how you’re going to get one back to the truck from way back in there. As I get older, that is now my #1 deciding factor and n where I hunt. Getting older is tough on a hunter that has worn out many boots over the years hunting areas similar to what you are describing. ........................................ This is the best advice you have been given! Getting one up a mountain is something you will never forget. Never again for me....
I can't stand a thief.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: Bustinbeards]
#4043578
12/21/23 09:12 AM
12/21/23 09:12 AM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 50 Florence, Mississippi
1984dog
spike
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spike
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 50
Florence, Mississippi
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I hunt much terrain like you are describing and have had good success. Killed one Monday in an area just like you are describing.
You don’t need a stand just sit on the ground or a millennium tree seat Sit up top and watch the first bench or saddles in the mornings. Especially if they are near thick briars/bedding.
You will Need to be lower in the evenings because the thermals will be pulling your scent down.
Make sure you have the prevailing wind to your face and always be aware of the thermals pulling your scent up in the morning and pulling scent down In The evening. The thermals will swap and overpower any prevailing winds. SPOT ON - those thermals and odd wind currents will get you busted often.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: Teacher One]
#4043628
12/21/23 10:06 AM
12/21/23 10:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,645 Tuscaloosa Co.
N2TRKYS
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,645
Tuscaloosa Co.
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First, have a plan on how you’re going to get one back to the truck from way back in there. As I get older, that is now my #1 deciding factor and n where I hunt. Getting older is tough on a hunter that has worn out many boots over the years hunting areas similar to what you are describing. ........................................ This is the best advice you have been given! Getting one up a mountain is something you will never forget. Never again for me.... Quarter it up and pack it out. Way easier.
83% of all statistics are made up.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: Teacher One]
#4043660
12/21/23 10:45 AM
12/21/23 10:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 22,428 blount county alabama
jwalker77
Pumpkin
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Pumpkin
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 22,428
blount county alabama
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First, have a plan on how you’re going to get one back to the truck from way back in there. As I get older, that is now my #1 deciding factor and n where I hunt. Getting older is tough on a hunter that has worn out many boots over the years hunting areas similar to what you are describing. ........................................ This is the best advice you have been given! Getting one up a mountain is something you will never forget. Never again for me.... And the first time you do it will change everything. Good luck. I actually rolled a buck off a bluff once, just so i could go downhill. Steep grades dragging a buck is an experience you wont forget.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: jwalker77]
#4043682
12/21/23 11:13 AM
12/21/23 11:13 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 10,689 Central, Al
Bustinbeards
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 10,689
Central, Al
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First, have a plan on how you’re going to get one back to the truck from way back in there. As I get older, that is now my #1 deciding factor and n where I hunt. Getting older is tough on a hunter that has worn out many boots over the years hunting areas similar to what you are describing. ........................................ This is the best advice you have been given! Getting one up a mountain is something you will never forget. Never again for me.... And the first time you do it will change everything. Good luck. I actually rolled a buck off a bluff once, just so i could go downhill. Steep grades dragging a buck is an experience you wont forget. This is true! But you have to kill them where they live and I’ve killed some pretty good ones in some rough spots. They don’t come often so I just cross that bridge when I get there. I just look at it as part of killing a good one rodeo experience. I will say a deer sleigher does work well in these situations, but you better have good cardiovascular health cause your gonna have an old fashioned stress test by the time you get him out.
Originally Posted By: Wiley Coyote Well, the way I see it is there's just too many assholes On a good day there's a bunch of assholes in here. On a bad day there's too many assholes in here.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: N2TRKYS]
#4043695
12/21/23 11:38 AM
12/21/23 11:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,531 NOALA
RidgeRanger
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,531
NOALA
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Quarter it up and pack it out. Way easier.
This. Also consider boning it out first. In a place like that I'm taking the back straps, hams and shoulders. That's about all I can carry. Have an adequate pack both for meat space and a good waist belt to handle the weight. A set of trekking poles will help on the hike out too.
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Re: How to hunt big Hardwoods with heavy topography.
[Re: N2TRKYS]
#4043714
12/21/23 12:03 PM
12/21/23 12:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,842 North Alabama
Hevishot13
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,842
North Alabama
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First, have a plan on how you’re going to get one back to the truck from way back in there. As I get older, that is now my #1 deciding factor and n where I hunt. Getting older is tough on a hunter that has worn out many boots over the years hunting areas similar to what you are describing. ........................................ This is the best advice you have been given! Getting one up a mountain is something you will never forget. Never again for me.... Quarter it up and pack it out. Way easier. This. I cape him, then cut each leg off individually with the hide still on it. Hang it up, get the hide off and debone. Then get the backstraps and tenderloins. No use carrying the hide and bones through the mountains or over long distances.
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