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Leaving gear at base of tree

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Soilguy

New Member
Feb 20, 2019
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Western PA
What’s everyone’s thoughts on leaving gear at the base of the tree. High potential to spook deer? I’ll probably be using my Exo pack for most hunts, as it is the best way for me to get deer out of where I hunt. But I don’t necessarily need it up in the tree with me, as it’s kinda big and bulky. Leave it at base of tree? Also, maybe thinking if I carry in more sticks than I need, leave one or two sticks on ground. Thoughts?


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IkemanTX

IkemanTX

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Oct 16, 2015
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I run so little stuff, I almost never have anything to leave at the base. About the only exception is when I need my high boots, but it is too hot to leave them on.


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boyne bowhunter

boyne bowhunter

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I try to take everything I carry in up the tree with me too. First off, one of the reasons I climb high is to try to get my scent cone starting higher. Leaving stuff at the base of the tree doesn't help that. Secondly, I'm a firm believer that deer know their core areas very well. Any strange or out of place objects will be noticed.
 
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S

Soilguy

New Member
Feb 20, 2019
6
10
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Western PA
boyne bowhunter said:
I try to take everything I carry in up the tree with me too. First off, one of the reasons I climb high is to try to get my scent cone starting higher. Leaving stuff at the base of the tree doesn't help that. Secondly, I'm a firm believer that deer know their core areas very well. Any strange or out of place objects will be noticed.
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I agree with all of that. I’ve never left stuff at bottom in past when I’ve hunted out of a treestand, but I’m just not sure how to position pack, if it will interfere more with shots, etc.


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public_land

Active Member
Sep 13, 2018
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North Central Oklahoma
I have hunted a time or two where I have left something at the base of the tree, or dropped something. Whatever you leave down there is typically the first thing noticed. I carry everything up with me or leave it at the truck now. The couple of hunts where I had something "new" laying at the base of my tree ended up with deer bugging out or high alert while they looked at the item in question. The only 2 things I have ever left at the base of my tree intentionally are my bag and a water jug. Each was left on different hunts. Each had the same effect. My new thought is "if I don't need it up the tree, I don't need it with me."
 
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shwacker

shwacker

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Dec 10, 2018
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Depends on the terrain, in more open woods where the deer may spot it or literally walk right under your tree then NO... other areas where it is more brushy right at the tree base and low likely hood of deer seeing or walk-in freak close then not much problem. I try not to leave stuff for scent reasons, carries different at ground level, but sometimes it’s necessary


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KYHunter

KYHunter

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Jan 20, 2018
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I typically leave any Primal steps that I don’t use on the climb at the bottom of the tree. Those would be pretty hard to notice as compared to a bag though
 
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sdonx

sdonx

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Jan 30, 2018
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SE MASS
I have done it. But don’t do it. I agree with not having my scent at the base.


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cmonsta

Member
Feb 13, 2019
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I’m guessing it would depend on a lot of things. I never have tried. But my best friend and the best bow hunter I know now rides to stand on one of them e-bikes and leaves it at the base. He shot a great buck this year as normal. Maybe easier to get away with on private land? And I’m sure the more brush the better. I don’t think scent it a big deal if you are using scent control the best you can. You will leave scent around the base of your tree just getting set up in the first place, there doesn’t need to be an object for there to be scent.
 
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flinginairos

flinginairos

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Sep 19, 2014
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Depends. I have done it with no issues but if you get a big doe in close she WILL notice it. If you can maybe cover it with some leaves or sticks it will help.
 
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Tim W

Tim W

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Dec 15, 2017
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A mature deer will notice. I think their reactions differ based on hunting pressure and/or the deer's personality...
 
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lawrence

lawrence

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Mar 21, 2018
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i generally don't leave anything at the base of the tree i am on, but sometimes i do have left a bag in view from where i am at from where i walk in. The thing about Florida is its to hot (75-95 degrees). you'll sweat walking in, so to think you will be able to completely hide from the nose of a deer..eh. You are not going to wear scent blocking in archery season in Florida, cause its too hot during archery season. So cover scents are your friend...and not adding to the smells that you are going to generate. (like use a cooler to store clothes on the drive in.) You also have the Thermocell smell. I don't mean you should be hunting in clothes your dog was sleeping on. I do feel its easy to take to many things up a tree, that you wont need, that can hinder you or make shooting harder, and climbing unsafe. I have to carry an extra bag of water. why take it up the tree? Cold weather especially post rut, thats a different story. One thing i did learn when oversees..smells carry father in dry hot air vs humid hot air. Take that for what its worth.
 
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Rg176bnc

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Mar 23, 2014
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Little deer are just as bad. These 2 are no longer with us.
 

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Nutterbuster

Nutterbuster

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Where the skys are so blue!
ImThere said:
Nope not me! I carry everything up. The first time up the tree, I try to never sit anything down on the ground with the exception of my sticks when I un pack them. Before I left it at the base of the tree I would put it in a bush near by.


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That's another thing I love about my bolts setup. The only thing that gets set down is my bow or gun.
 
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Islandshooter

Islandshooter

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Nov 19, 2018
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ImThere said:
Nope not me! I carry everything up. The first time up the tree, I try to never sit anything down on the ground with the exception of my sticks when I un pack them. Before I left it at the base of the tree I would put it in a bush near by.


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I try not to leave anything, but if I do I cover it with leaves. As little of a scent footprint as possible!
 
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