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New property gnarly trees

HalfsackZac

HalfsackZac

New Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2021
Messages
27
Location
Iowa
Quick question on how y’all would handle this situation. Just gained access to a new property. Very excited! Tons of deer sign first day I drove it saw a monster beaded down in a ditch/draw but the issue I have (this is with very little scouting due to time of year and not wanting to scare every deer in the area away) it is all gnarly nasty thick timber and as I walk through none of the trees look good for climbing. They are either totally grown in with overhanging branches at top and thorn bushes at bottom or they are so crooked and leaning it would be a nightmare to get comfortable for sitting. I have sat in one tree so far and it was a locust that a previous hunter/poacher had cut “some” of the huge thorns off of, still not a prime tree but I just wanted to sit. Property is just at 200 acres I have scouted about 1/3 so far. Any tips will help.
 

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Thick gnarly trees work great with a saddle. It usually takes some out of the box thinking to get set though. Shot a buck out of a gnarly tree two years ago about 5 ft off ground standing on a limb with my back against a trunk.
 
That property sounds and looks like a lot of the areas I hunt. Hunt from the ground as others have said. Comfort equals stillness on the ground which is key so find a comfortable chair that'll keep ya still! I don't mess with locust trees around here usually locusts are in overgrown pastures which also have cedar trees. Cedar trees make great ground cover or great ladders to climb up a few feet and hang from a saddle.
 
Consider cutting out a little window (if you're allowed) in a gnarly tree and make a preset either for your saddle or with a lock-on. I've found that climbing up branches takes half the work out of setting up a new spot, so I certainly don't hate it. Sometimes all you can manage is a spot big enough to sit in, in which case I'd recommend a lock-on stand set up for a seated shot to your most likely target area. If none of those options seem feasible, try out a ground setup and see what happens!
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I’ll be honest I have spent my whole life hunting out of a tree never have had luck any of the few times I have ground hunted (also very excited about my new saddle so I think that plays a part in this as well). That being said maybe I need to practice ground hunting a bit because there are spots in this timber that are just covered in deer sign but no good trees. Thanks again
 
Waldrop Pac Seat Time. Or a bucket. But the pac seat is soooo comfortable, light and you can pack a lot on it too if you want. I have no affiliation.
 
I’ve spent a few times hunting with the saddle at ground level or just off the ground. Nothing wrong with keeping yourself low and comfortable. This was the original purpose of the SitDrag as all of us older DIY guys remember
 
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