Author Topic: Deer/Mountain travel question  (Read 584 times)

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Offline JRSpicer426

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Deer/Mountain travel question
« on: September 22, 2011, 06:54:49 AM »
So I have been lucky enough to get a 35 acre plot on the side of a mountain to hunt deer in a western county of VA. I wont be allowed to scout or go to the property until season is in (I didnt set the rules :)) Ive checked it out from google earth, but Im from southern maryland and not used to hunting deer on Mountains. How do deer normally travel on them? I have a 400 yard swath from the top of the mountain down 600 yards of huntable land. Its too big (and wooded) to sit at the top and range clear shots since I have no idea if deer travel at the top, middle of the bottom of the mountainside. Thoughts or ideas?
 

Offline Hooker

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Re: Deer/Mountain travel question
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2011, 05:43:48 PM »
I've found them all over on mountains, but usually the best spots will be saddles along the ridges and benches along the slopes
Benches can be very productive especially if there are good food sources on them or near by. In the mornings I like to set up where I can see the bottom of the slope. Deer like to feed in the bottoms at night and then bed down along the slopes in the mornings. Afternoon is the time to still hunt along these benches. In the evenings funnel areas like saddles, draws and trails close to the thick stuff are the ticket.

Pat
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Offline Land_Owner

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Re: Deer/Mountain travel question
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2011, 10:15:10 PM »
Prepare to find them, as Hooker said, "all over", then be prepared to get them out of there. If you are parked at the top, and bringing them up is the "rule" rather than the exception, you will need some "mechanical advantage" or strong legs and youthful back. 
 
I use mechanical advantage by way of a three-fold purchase aluminum block and tackle with 200 feet of 3/8-inch climber's rope.  3-fold purchase allows 1/3 the deer's weight as the required input.  I pull down hill - the deer goes up hill.  Pretty simple and very easy on the back.