- Joined
- Sep 6, 2014
- Messages
- 968
I got busted today.. I have spot that I've been looking at for years. The size of the trees has always prevent me from trying to put and stand there. Plus the access. I now have a jet boat and it takes exactly 2 minutes from the launch. 5 minute total to get to the tree. Anyway, I have figured out a way to hunt these huge cottonwoods with a saddle. When I set the tree in the rain 2 months ago I planned on a big multi trunk cottonwood that was tight to the trails and scrapes I want to cover. However when I started I immediately notice that it was rotten. Cottonwoods often have a rotten hollow core. Since I'm not going to hunt a tree that going to fall over soon, time for plan B. I chose a tree parallel to where I originally want to hunt. It had Different lean to it but I was facing the action. I hunt river bottoms. The deer move up and down the river. I try to keep my back to the river at my 6 O clock. and keep the field of play in front of me. This time I had my back to my 3 oclock. There was a big opening and I figured no buck cross that opening in daylight. I forgot about does. You'll never hear them coming from that direction so you have to scan constantly. I was paying attention in front and never heard her come in. I swung around to look and she had me. She didn't know what she saw but she didn't like it. That's when I saw the big 8 pt behind her. They left the area. The tree was really uncomfortable and I couldn't see the whole field of play even though I thought I could when I set the tree. Later when I got down, I looked things over. I found 2 other trees that will let me see the whole field of play and my back is towards the river. The wind is better also. I was too close in the other tree. One tree has really great cover but it will take some work to set up there. Off season project. The other is decent but a little too open but fairly easy to set up. i set it up at lunch and will be back late this season. Lesson to be learned? NEVER put your back to where you think any deer can come in from if you can help it.