I hunt the big woods mountainous terrain in VA and PA, but usually only in rifle or inline ML season. I respect the guys who consistently get it done with archery tackle. It is hard to get in bow range in this terrain. It has taken me and some buddies years to figure out travel patterns of some of these areas. And they are always changing. The best deer we have killed were in the thick laurel unless they were chasing does in more open terrain. I tend to focus on food and mast near cover. If I find acorns falling in a given altitude, I check out other areas of similar conditions and altitude and then look for heavier sign. From there I try to find terrain features that may help condense or funnel the deer movement. Then it's a matter of considering the wind, thermals, and access so as to hunt it without blowing deer out. Sometimes I still end up sitting a spot multiple days before some of the more nomadic deer work through. It's definitely an addicting puzzle. I have found Nathan Killen and the Stickboys podcasts helpful. Good Luck!Hey Guys,
New to the Saddle Hunting website. I hunt out of a Lone Wolf Climber, however, I'm obsessed with deer hunting strategy and tactics so I figured I'd start a few conversations with some of the great hunters on this site.
Mountain hunting has always intrigued me. We're not talking about mountains out west, but sizable elevation in the Northeast. I believe the best (most uninterrupted) public land hunting can be found in the NE US mountains. With that being said, it is a DIFFICULT hunt. Hiking miles in to get back to a mountaintop swamp, crossing streams to climb 100s of feet of elevation, scouting for weeks to find the right area... my question pertains to whether it's worth it? Do mature whitetails live in these locations? Do they have the nutrition required to grow large racks? Do they wander too much to hunt effectively? I am going to try either way, however, I would like to see what other hunter's have experienced hunting this type of terrain. If so, what is your favorite strategy?
Thanks,
Vic