If the stand has been there that long, the deer probably know its there too. Try setting up down wind of the old stand and watch all of the deer pass behind it looking up to see if anyone is sitting up there. I have heard of people doing this at the end of the season and busting a few bucks who have grown too smart of these overused fixed positions.
Its been a long time since I hunted public land but when I did I scouted more for signs of human activity more than wildlife. If I found a stand in the woods that spot would get a x on my map. I looked for spots with no sign of human activity and then looked for terrain features that would dictate deer movement. The deer might not use these spots on a regular basis during the course of a year but when the pressure gets to them they are going to find the spots where humans arent and then use edges and terrain features that you read about in all the books. Public land is all about finding places where other people arent.
After hunting in Chass for the last 9yrs I have learned that most of those stands left in after the seasone belong to people that live up there. They hunt the same area or tree year after year so you don't really want to be near them. I tried a couple of times but they smoke cough and just mess every thing up. I watched stands that never had anyone in them year after year but still not mine so stay away. Bad enough they are going to walk in on you after daylight and not
After hunting in Chass for the last 9yrs I have learned that most of those stands left in after the seasone belong to people that live up there. They hunt the same area or tree year after year so you don't really want to be near them. I tried a couple of times but they smoke cough and just mess every thing up. I watched stands that never had anyone in them year after year but still not mine so stay away. Bad enough they are going to walk in on you after daylight and not think twice about it. Best time to hunt there is monday thru thursday never more than 30 guys in the whole place.
thanks all will be using my climber any ways
