For most of us, end of season usually is a time to reflect on some of the gears and other things we field tested and found out it just was not working. Not that the gear was bad, but just for your own personal style, you don't plan to use again. Then list some things you are planning to try out next season.
Moving away from:
Going minimalist as possible. I realizes the deeper you go, going minimalist just does not make sense. Sure the walk in is great, but dragging a deer sucks if you don't have a good transport method on hand. If you're a few hundred years from the car, ok. But I want to go deeper the next year. So I think I rather add that 4-5lbs for a frame pack even if I don't do the gutless method.
Preset and SRT. I realizes I'm just as fast or only a few minutes slower one sticking than SRTing a preset tree. But limiting myself to a tree really limit myself. Especially in the dark and I was spending almost 15 minutes LOOKING for the tree because I forgot exactly where it was. It would of been less intrusive to the area if I picked a good tree in the general location instead of spreading my scent all over the place looking for the tree I preset weeks ago.
Maybe its me (its probably is me). But I'm going to not return to same area and/or tree the next day. It could be me, but I just don't see deer on any given 2nd day. Maybe I scared them all out of the area, but for me this has been the case.
Going to go back to 3 sticks with aiders next year. Since I'm carrying a frame pack, 2-4 more lbs is not going to matter, still going to rappel down no matter what, but it just easier setting 3 sticks instead of one sticking, just not as fun but simpler.
No more cushion, going to try kneepad next year. Just felt more restricted with cushion. Nothing really more to say on that.
Going to try to hunt based on geographical locations instead of deer signs/trails. Locate choke points on peninsula and edge area that are between bedding and food source. I have been trying to setup on communal scrapes and large trails, but I don't think this has been very effective.
Moving away from:
Going minimalist as possible. I realizes the deeper you go, going minimalist just does not make sense. Sure the walk in is great, but dragging a deer sucks if you don't have a good transport method on hand. If you're a few hundred years from the car, ok. But I want to go deeper the next year. So I think I rather add that 4-5lbs for a frame pack even if I don't do the gutless method.
Preset and SRT. I realizes I'm just as fast or only a few minutes slower one sticking than SRTing a preset tree. But limiting myself to a tree really limit myself. Especially in the dark and I was spending almost 15 minutes LOOKING for the tree because I forgot exactly where it was. It would of been less intrusive to the area if I picked a good tree in the general location instead of spreading my scent all over the place looking for the tree I preset weeks ago.
Maybe its me (its probably is me). But I'm going to not return to same area and/or tree the next day. It could be me, but I just don't see deer on any given 2nd day. Maybe I scared them all out of the area, but for me this has been the case.
Going to go back to 3 sticks with aiders next year. Since I'm carrying a frame pack, 2-4 more lbs is not going to matter, still going to rappel down no matter what, but it just easier setting 3 sticks instead of one sticking, just not as fun but simpler.
No more cushion, going to try kneepad next year. Just felt more restricted with cushion. Nothing really more to say on that.
Going to try to hunt based on geographical locations instead of deer signs/trails. Locate choke points on peninsula and edge area that are between bedding and food source. I have been trying to setup on communal scrapes and large trails, but I don't think this has been very effective.
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