As many of you know, I'm new to whitetails. Also, I've never hunted public land. I got a permit for Big Cypress, Turner River Unit.
Okay...what do I do now? Well, I do know what do...sort of. I need to be scouting the area and trying to find a good place to set up. Which leads me to my question/s.
I don't own a tree stand or a blind. I have access to a climbing stand. What if I don't find a good tree? Is a tree stand the way to go? I have seen some for around $100. What about a ground blind? I have seen some on sale at Dick's...$59. What about just sitting under a tree turkey style?
Shooting sticks. Do you need them? If I am on the ground it might not be a bad idea, right? If so, mono or bipod? Any good ones people have used?
Any other equipment a must, other than the obvious...knife, etc. Does anyone have a "checklist" they use to make sure they have the necessities?
Thank you!!
first of all you have to scout for sign. when you find an area with good sign you will go there a couple of times. If every time you go there and you see new tracks and rubs, or scrapes especially you know you got a maybe good spot. You want to look for travel corridors. look for game trails and especially when more then one trail meet up at a certain spot. start there.
I never used a stand on public land. The best thing i noticed is to find a good place and just sit. (this is what i do) i would invest in a little chair that you can carry (turkey vest with built in chair works good for me and thats what i want to get) this makes you more mobile for the stalk.
Please get your scent under control. Nothing fancy. just use non scented soap and wash all your camos with NON SCENTED detergent with NO UV brighteners. If you want you can spray some scent away on to be extra careful. On public land the deer especially are very very cautious They can hear you and run away before you even get within a mile from them if you are making a ruckus walking around. get in the woods before light and go to the spot you hopefully set on your gps. then sit or set up your climber. YOu want to get there early to set up your climber cause they make noise while you are climbing up and setting up.
Make sure you have a pull string so you can pull your stuff up to your stand when you get to the top. and most of all wear a safety harness. and have a good time!
thermacell would be good to have
sence you have a climber available i would use it.to see if you like them before buying one.also to get off the ground for scent control.to see better; usually.to keep your movement seen by deer to a lesser degree.also to keep your movement seen by trigger itchy hunters to a minimum.
