Example maps of successful hunts

[mike.podolan]

Based on my previous thread about thick cover, I was wondering if anyone would like to share some example maps of their successful hunts. I learn a lot from seeing actual examples and descriptions, and I thought others might, too.

I have only killed one deer so far, and it was last year. I actually killed this young 6 point from the ground with a shotgun, but I currently spend more time with a crossbow than a firearm (I’m in the process of buying my first compound) and this one could have been killed with any legal weapon.

This was opening morning of firearm on public land in Michigan, so November 15, 2021. I walked in here after finding the orange army at other spots I had targeted. I had scouted this area previously, and I had found some smaller beds off the point of the ridge south of where I set up. There was also a deer trail rounding the point of the ridge, as well as near the transition between more open woods and the thicker stuff that transitions down to the creek.
I intended to set up in a tree with my saddle, but I ended up tucking into some cover just over the crest of the ridge near the point. From there, I could shoot both the trail rounding the point and to the transition.

After spooking something on the walk in, I didn’t see or hear anything until about 10:20. The buck came through around the point at a decent trot. He rounded the point and stopped for a second. I think he could tell something was off. He crossed right in from of me heading north and stopped again about 15 yards right in front of me. I tried to shoot, but the safety wasn’t fully disengaged. I scrambled, clicked it off and got the shot off while his head was behind a tree. I hit him farther back than I wanted, and he took off to the north. I could see he was bleeding, but he stopped again about 50 yards away. I couldn’t get another shot off, and he walked over the hill to the north. I waited about 30 minutes to go to the point of impact, where I found good blood but also found some corn mixed in (there is a small DNR food plot near where I walked in). I slowly trailed the blood until I found him dead about 100 yards away. It was an exciting moment, for sure.

I am obsessed with trying to get better at this, thus the reason for the posts. I hope others might join in so we can all learn a little something.

Red=access and then setup
Pink X=where something spooked and blew at me for a bit on my walk in.
Blue=theorized route the deer took to me. I’m not exactly sure where it started. The blue X is where I shot him.
Yellow=his path after the shot and where I found him.

I’d love to see some of your examples!


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[sdonx]

That a nice "just off wind" for sure. Great job

 

[Gator]

That a nice "just off wind" for sure. Great job

Agreed. Sometimes the best wind is the one that is ever so slightly off from what the buck wants or thinks he has safe passage. Hard to do in my area from inconsistent wind direction.

 

[Weldabeast]

Success break down

I'm taking the time to do this with new hunters in mind. I try to explain the thoughts and decisions behind a successful scout,hang,hunt. I see trucks parked and think to myself now why is that guy parked there...I try to explain. The setting is the first 3 day quota hunt on a 9k acre wma. 60...

saddlehunter.com

 

[mike.podolan]

That a nice "just off wind" for sure. Great job

I appreciate it! I'm so new that I can't say that it was done with complete purpose (ie. I didn't know for sure that a buck was there), but I was mindful of the wind in general.

 

[mike.podolan]

Success break down

I'm taking the time to do this with new hunters in mind. I try to explain the thoughts and decisions behind a successful scout,hang,hunt. I see trucks parked and think to myself now why is that guy parked there...I try to explain. The setting is the first 3 day quota hunt on a 9k acre wma. 60...

saddlehunter.com

Great example! Thanks for sharing!

 

[mike.podolan]

Agreed. Sometimes the best wind is the one that is ever so slightly off from what the buck wants or thinks he has safe passage. Hard to do in my area from inconsistent wind direction.

I keep hearing about this tactic on podcasts and in articles, so I am definitely going to try to work it into my hunts more. I've generally tried to keep the wind more in my face for my setups, but I think I need to start giving the wind away a bit more in general.

 

[Robert loper]

Based on my previous thread about thick cover, I was wondering if anyone would like to share some example maps of their successful hunts. I learn a lot from seeing actual examples and descriptions, and I thought others might, too.

I have only killed one deer so far, and it was last year. I actually killed this young 6 point from the ground with a shotgun, but I currently spend more time with a crossbow than a firearm (I’m in the process of buying my first compound) and this one could have been killed with any legal weapon.

This was opening morning of firearm on public land in Michigan, so November 15, 2021. I walked in here after finding the orange army at other spots I had targeted. I had scouted this area previously, and I had found some smaller beds off the point of the ridge south of where I set up. There was also a deer trail rounding the point of the ridge, as well as near the transition between more open woods and the thicker stuff that transitions down to the creek.
I intended to set up in a tree with my saddle, but I ended up tucking into some cover just over the crest of the ridge near the point. From there, I could shoot both the trail rounding the point and to the transition.

After spooking something on the walk in, I didn’t see or hear anything until about 10:20. The buck came through around the point at a decent trot. He rounded the point and stopped for a second. I think he could tell something was off. He crossed right in from of me heading north and stopped again about 15 yards right in front of me. I tried to shoot, but the safety wasn’t fully disengaged. I scrambled, clicked it off and got the shot off while his head was behind a tree. I hit him farther back than I wanted, and he took off to the north. I could see he was bleeding, but he stopped again about 50 yards away. I couldn’t get another shot off, and he walked over the hill to the north. I waited about 30 minutes to go to the point of impact, where I found good blood but also found some corn mixed in (there is a small DNR food plot near where I walked in). I slowly trailed the blood until I found him dead about 100 yards away. It was an exciting moment, for sure.

I am obsessed with trying to get better at this, thus the reason for the posts. I hope others might join in so we can all learn a little something.

Red=access and then setup
Pink X=where something spooked and blew at me for a bit on my walk in.
Blue=theorized route the deer took to me. I’m not exactly sure where it started. The blue X is where I shot him.
Yellow=his path after the shot and where I found him.

I’d love to see some of your examples!


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Mike I'm actually getting some pics snd footage together to do a video soon. Ill keep you posted

 

[mike.podolan]

Mike I'm actually getting some pics snd footage together to do a video soon. Ill keep you posted

Looking forward to checking it out!


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[WHW]

You're off to a great start in regards to journaling your hunts. One is only limited by their imagination on maintaining one. I started journaling during my first deer season in 1968, and have never regretted the decision to do so. It's amazing how it can grow and improve through the years. My journal is made up of pictures, video footage, writings and stats. One thing that I enjoy doing is taking a picture of the area of the shot. Then, using "Paint" on my computer, to lay down the track that the deer came in with white, then at the shot change the color to red to show how it left the area. Best wishes for you.

 

[mike.podolan]

You're off to a great start in regards to journaling your hunts. One is only limited by their imagination on maintaining one. I started journaling during my first deer season in 1968, and have never regretted the decision to do so. It's amazing how it can grow and improve through the years. My journal is made up of pictures, video footage, writings and stats. One thing that I enjoy doing is taking a picture of the area of the shot. Then, using "Paint" on my computer, to lay down the track that the deer came in with white, then at the shot change the color to red to show how it left the area. Best wishes for you.


View attachment 78161

Thanks for the feedback and example! I’ve enjoyed the journaling process so far. I like to take notes to try and enhance my memories and to try to learn what I can. I only wish I had started learning to deer hunt earlier, but I’ll do my best to make up for lost time.


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[neonomad]

This is an almost success, only encounter I’ve had with my target buck in three years… First week of October and the deer were working the acorns pretty hard, the river was high and so I suspected they might just mill around in our river bottoms hitting different oaks once they left the Ag fields early morning. I thought they might be more concentrated on our side because they can’t cross the river and spread out everywhere, maybe a little stir crazy. I drove around to the west end of the property, parked, had to rappel down the 100’ bank, and then wade up along the river in the dark, I went in with no tree prepped the whole thing was a pain I was later than I wanted to be, kinda sticking out and not very high, and discouraged. The river to my back pulls scent, and in the morning you have a window where thermals are pulling down the valley, the white arrow. Eventually those thermals switch and you’ve got to leave. Maybe 8ish AM I texted my buddies that the deer must be bedding in the neighbors standing corn… no sooner did I send that a few small bucks appeared from the southwest along that yellow path. Eventually there were six bucks all around me, two directly behind me walking around in the river. The last buck to appear was my target 11 point, first time I’ve ever seen him, I had to calm my heart rate down. He browsed at 12ish yards perfect broadside for several mins but a few bucks had eyes on me at this point, I couldn’t tell what the bucks behind me were doing, and I just could not get the bow drawn. Eventually they slowly walked away, and I do regret not at least attempting a slow draw across my chest, but in the moment I felt very very close to a big bust. So the hunt was a failure but it’s one of the most “tactical assaults” I’ve put together, and overall a success in my book… read the conditions well, had a good plan, almost scored big, just too much security detail.

 

[mike.podolan]

This is an almost success, only encounter I’ve had with my target buck in three years… First week of October and the deer were working the acorns pretty hard, the river was high and so I suspected they might just mill around in our river bottoms hitting different oaks once they left the Ag fields early morning. I thought they might be more concentrated on our side because they can’t cross the river and spread out everywhere, maybe a little stir crazy. I drove around to the west end of the property, parked, had to rappel down the 100’ bank, and then wade up along the river in the dark, I went in with no tree prepped the whole thing was a pain I was later than I wanted to be, kinda sticking out and not very high, and discouraged. The river to my back pulls scent, and in the morning you have a window where thermals are pulling down the valley, the white arrow. Eventually those thermals switch and you’ve got to leave. Maybe 8ish AM I texted my buddies that the deer must be bedding in the neighbors standing corn… no sooner did I send that a few small bucks appeared from the southwest along that yellow path. Eventually there were six bucks all around me, two directly behind me walking around in the river. The last buck to appear was my target 11 point, first time I’ve ever seen him, I had to calm my heart rate down. He browsed at 12ish yards perfect broadside for several mins but a few bucks had eyes on me at this point, I couldn’t tell what the bucks behind me were doing, and I just could not get the bow drawn. Eventually they slowly walked away, and I do regret not at least attempting a slow draw across my chest, but in the moment I felt very very close to a big bust. So the hunt was a failure but it’s one of the most “tactical assaults” I’ve put together, and overall a success in my book… read the conditions well, had a good plan, almost scored big, just too much security detail.View attachment 78164

That is some extreme tactical work! Very impressive. I think this exercise works well for close calls, too. Any time I get deer within range, I consider that a major win at this point in my hunting career.

How would you describe the cover there in the bottom?


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[AL79]

Love all the info and knowledge you are digging up here Mike. I am new to this forum and a new hunter. This forum is such a great tool. Everyone here is so helpful and knowledgeable. A Buddy of mine let me borrow his hang on as he loves his Latitude saddle now. So, been getting out there and gaining some experience myself. Practicing shooting the bow and loving EVERY second of it. I'm 43 with a 13 yr old daughter and a 7 yr old boy. Time is hard to find soni do agree, I wish I would've started earlier. But I am too happy to have these experiences. I've seen some deer out of range and had some sits freezing my *** off and seen nothing. All part of it I guess..I'm addicted. I feel like it's all I think about!!!

 

[mike.podolan]

Love all the info and knowledge you are digging up here Mike. I am new to this forum and a new hunter. This forum is such a great tool. Everyone here is so helpful and knowledgeable. A Buddy of mine let me borrow his hang on as he loves his Latitude saddle now. So, been getting out there and gaining some experience myself. Practicing shooting the bow and loving EVERY second of it. I'm 43 with a 13 yr old daughter and a 7 yr old boy. Time is hard to find soni do agree, I wish I would've started earlier. But I am too happy to have these experiences. I've seen some deer out of range and had some sits freezing my *** off and seen nothing. All part of it I guess..I'm addicted. I feel like it's all I think about!!!

I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I agree that it feels like I am constantly thinking about it! I just turned 40; I started hunting when I was a kid, but I was basically a squirrel hunter. Only started really learning about deer hunting over the past 3 years, starting completely from scratch. I really feel like I could learn so much from more time in the field, but I just can’t get out much. This is hopefully going to help us use our time more efficiently when we can get out! Good luck with your learning process! Let’s just keep asking questions and sharing what we’ve learned!


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[neonomad]

That is some extreme tactical work! Very impressive. I think this exercise works well for close calls, too. Any time I get deer within range, I consider that a major win at this point in my hunting career.

How would you describe the cover there in the bottom?


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I’m 44, I’ve hunted this farm off and on since I was 15 and have yet to shoot a deer on it! I’ve killed deer west across the river there and at our east neighbors. This bottom has always been too open, was timbered in 2019, is getting much better now but I still wish we had taken more trees down… West across the river though is so thick you can’t walk through it without a chainsaw or large hedge trimmers, and this buck is coming out of that thicket into a small open section just this evening… that’s where they live late season. The east side of the river still works though, decently thick in October and has oaks, sets up nice for deer to bust intruders, and is a good transition between the western thicket and those Ag fields.

 

[AL79]

Good deal!!! I agree. Can't wait to get out there again!!!

 

[mike.podolan]

I’m 44, I’ve hunted this farm off and on since I was 15 and have yet to shoot a deer on it! I’ve killed deer west across the river there and at our east neighbors. This bottom has always been too open, was timbered in 2019, is getting much better now but I still wish we had taken more trees down… West across the river though is so thick you can’t walk through it without a chainsaw or large hedge trimmers, and this buck is coming out of that thicket into a small open section just this evening… that’s where they live late season. The east side of the river still works though, decently thick in October and has oaks, sets up nice for deer to bust intruders, and is a good transition between the western thicket and those Ag fields.View attachment 78169

That’s a great deer! I’m glad the timber work
Is improving the habitat there on the east side. That work seems like it pays off from everything I’ve read.

How big is that river? They cross it consistently? Where do they access up the ag in that steep terrain?


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[neonomad]

That’s a great deer! I’m glad the timber work
Is improving the habitat there on the east side. That work seems like it pays off from everything I’ve read.

How big is that river? They cross it consistently? Where do they access up the ag in that steep terrain?


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Here are their three favorite ways up the hill in pink, thickest line is most preferred. I have about 3 acres of food plots scattered in those smaller fields and by the barn and they are hammering that every night now. The problem is if you sit on the high ground waiting for them to come up the hill in the evenings, the valley thermals are pulling your scent right to em 75% of the time. You can cross that river in rubber boots maybe 40% of the time yes they cross it all the time… I’m learning it’s a great way to access scent free, just a lot more work… and actually hunting the bottoms is a whole other discussion in swirling thermals.

 

[mike.podolan]

Here are their three favorite ways up the hill in pink, thickest line is most preferred. I have about 3 acres of food plots scattered in those smaller fields and by the barn and they are hammering that every night now. The problem is if you sit on the high ground waiting for them to come up the hill in the evenings, the valley thermals are pulling your scent right to em 75% of the time. You can cross that river in rubber boots maybe 40% of the time yes they cross it all the time… I’m learning it’s a great way to access scent free, just a lot more work… and actually hunting the bottoms is a whole other discussion in swirling thermals.
View attachment 78178

Very interesting. I would have predicted that they might use those draws to access to the top, but that's based on little to no knowledge. The most commonly used access looks less steep, so I suppose that makes sense. I don't have much really steep stuff around here, but I am interested in learning more about thermals because I have come to understand that they do play a role even in less severe terrain. Thanks for taking the time to share all of this!