The All Day Sit
Posted By
Clifford Neames
at
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM
The All Day Sit
Hunting mature whitetails successfully takes time
. Once you have located a target buck, you may still have a long way to go before you hang your tag on his antlers. And, nothing will help you accomplish that easier than time spent on a well thought out stand.
Too many deer hunters head into the woods unprepared to stay all day. And, it’s counterproductive to make extra trips in and out of an area. Each trip means leaving more human scent, and extra chances that you will be busted.
Here are a few things you can do to help you stay longer, if you feel the urge to leave:
Bring plenty of snacks. I like to load up a gallon ziplock bag with goodies, but remove all of the noisy wrapping first. Paper towels are much quieter, and provide something to wipe your hands on when you are finished eating.
Leave the bag open in the big compartment of your backpack, which should be hanging within reach, so that you can get something as needed. You definitely don’t need to be digging around in a bag on your lap when Mr. Big Horns shows up! And, you can easily close the plastic bag to hide odors, if necessary.
Bringing a camera along can give you something to do in slower periods. But, don’t get too carried away, and let a buck catch you flat footed! I have also found that having someone else in the tree makes staying a lot easier. If you are videoing the hunt with a partner, take advantage of this time and shoot extra filler footage. Short conversations also help, but stay vigilant.
If you are hunting alone, you may want to take a small book in with you. Read a page, then look around. Make sure it’s small enough to either fit in your pocket, or to drop quietly into your backpack when the action picks up.
Handheld electronic games serve the same purpose. But, texting other hunting buddies can get out of control. I suggest you keep your cell phone on silent, and put away!
Here’s the thinking that has kept me on stand many times when things are slow. The longer you sit there without seeing your buck, the better the chance is that he is about to show up! You have already eliminated a lot of the dead time, so why leave now?
If you are in the right spot, it’s a waiting game, so stay put and fill more tags!
Pro tip: Bathroom breaks can be avoided by watching what you eat and drink. Avoid drinking coffee, or soft drinks, while hunting. Water is better for you, and sports drinks will not only replace minerals you need, but will stay with you much longer!
