June NEWSLETTER 2009 |
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have topic you would wish to be discussed in a future newsletter, let us know and we will
consider it.
If you do not want future newsletters, please email or write us advising so and you will be
removed from the list.
Write to: Disappear Hunting Products Inc., PO Box 414, Wadsworth, OH 44282
Email: discoverscent@disappearhp.com
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HUNTERS
Over the last year, I have discussed on different occasions, the importance of preparation. I know some of
what I am writing in this newsletter has been brought up before, but there are several points I wish to
emphasize. Now is the time to prepare as much as possible, so the deer have time to get used to the changes
and by the time the hunting season rolls around, it will all be a natural part of their terrain.
Over the years, I have found the best buck hunting situations are in the thickest cover I can find. These are
the places a buck feels the most secure, but it is also one of the more difficult places to get a clean shot,
especially with a bow. There are some things you can do to help yourself. I have found that cutting paths or
clearing existing trails, can alter the deer travel patterns to your advantage. Think about this for a moment.
How many times has a path been carved out of your hunting area by a bulldozer, for logging purposes or
oil/gas lines? Within a few days, those paths are profuse with deer tracks. Deer in some ways are no
different than we are, they prefer the easiest way to get from one point to another. After a number of these
observations, I thought to myself, why not do this on a smaller scale and see what happens. It worked. I
cleared a path about 3 feet wide, through a thick section of cover and within days the deer were using it.
Although you can clear paths anywhere, putting some thought into your choice, will tend to enhance the
results. I will give you an example. I had one stand location that was at the head of a deep ravine. The deer
could go through the ravine, but preferred instead, to travel the parallel ridges, then cross at the head end.
The deer would cross, from one ridge to another, on one of a number of trails, scattered around one hundred
yards apart. Many was the time, I sat in that stand and watched a deer pass on one those numerous trails,
out of range for a shot. I finally decided I had nothing to lose, so I started on one ridge, choosing a deer trail
with considerable signs of use. I cleared it of downed trees, stray limbs and small saplings, that were starting
to grow on or near the path. As I got closer to my stand location, I continued clearing a path, but altered the
current deer trail, by my new path, so that it passed by my stand about 15 yards up wind of the prevailing
wind direction. I continued the path on to the next ridge, reconnecting to another current deer trail. Well, it
did not take long, until the greater percentage of the deer were following the path I cleared, giving me some
excellent shooting opportunities. By connecting your handiwork to current deer trails, you take the natural
chosen paths, the deer are already using, and give them an easy travel spot, that is in your favor. If it turns
out the deer like the path I have created for them, I keep it cleared year after year, thus keeping deer
movement where I prefer. Is it a guarantee, no, all are the deer going to use it, no, but if it allows me, one or
more extra opportunities during a season, that is often the difference between success and failure.
Every year, there are trees and limbs coming down from wind, storms, natural age and decay, that interfere
with the deer’s chosen path of travel. By keeping things clean, the deer will continue to use them. I like to
clear or clean up these paths by the first of July, then around the end of August, go over them again.
cleaning up any briars, debris or heavy plant growth, that may be present. An additional, but very important
benefit, you can go to your stand in the dark, very quietly, without leaving scent on limbs and foliage, as you
pass by.
One other important item, if you do not own the land you are hunting on, make sure you have the landowners
permission to carry out such activities.
Until next month, all the best to each of you,
Keith Dotterer
Over the last year, I have discussed on different occasions, the importance of preparation. I know some of
what I am writing in this newsletter has been brought up before, but there are several points I wish to
emphasize. Now is the time to prepare as much as possible, so the deer have time to get used to the changes
and by the time the hunting season rolls around, it will all be a natural part of their terrain.
Over the years, I have found the best buck hunting situations are in the thickest cover I can find. These are
the places a buck feels the most secure, but it is also one of the more difficult places to get a clean shot,
especially with a bow. There are some things you can do to help yourself. I have found that cutting paths or
clearing existing trails, can alter the deer travel patterns to your advantage. Think about this for a moment.
How many times has a path been carved out of your hunting area by a bulldozer, for logging purposes or
oil/gas lines? Within a few days, those paths are profuse with deer tracks. Deer in some ways are no
different than we are, they prefer the easiest way to get from one point to another. After a number of these
observations, I thought to myself, why not do this on a smaller scale and see what happens. It worked. I
cleared a path about 3 feet wide, through a thick section of cover and within days the deer were using it.
Although you can clear paths anywhere, putting some thought into your choice, will tend to enhance the
results. I will give you an example. I had one stand location that was at the head of a deep ravine. The deer
could go through the ravine, but preferred instead, to travel the parallel ridges, then cross at the head end.
The deer would cross, from one ridge to another, on one of a number of trails, scattered around one hundred
yards apart. Many was the time, I sat in that stand and watched a deer pass on one those numerous trails,
out of range for a shot. I finally decided I had nothing to lose, so I started on one ridge, choosing a deer trail
with considerable signs of use. I cleared it of downed trees, stray limbs and small saplings, that were starting
to grow on or near the path. As I got closer to my stand location, I continued clearing a path, but altered the
current deer trail, by my new path, so that it passed by my stand about 15 yards up wind of the prevailing
wind direction. I continued the path on to the next ridge, reconnecting to another current deer trail. Well, it
did not take long, until the greater percentage of the deer were following the path I cleared, giving me some
excellent shooting opportunities. By connecting your handiwork to current deer trails, you take the natural
chosen paths, the deer are already using, and give them an easy travel spot, that is in your favor. If it turns
out the deer like the path I have created for them, I keep it cleared year after year, thus keeping deer
movement where I prefer. Is it a guarantee, no, all are the deer going to use it, no, but if it allows me, one or
more extra opportunities during a season, that is often the difference between success and failure.
Every year, there are trees and limbs coming down from wind, storms, natural age and decay, that interfere
with the deer’s chosen path of travel. By keeping things clean, the deer will continue to use them. I like to
clear or clean up these paths by the first of July, then around the end of August, go over them again.
cleaning up any briars, debris or heavy plant growth, that may be present. An additional, but very important
benefit, you can go to your stand in the dark, very quietly, without leaving scent on limbs and foliage, as you
pass by.
One other important item, if you do not own the land you are hunting on, make sure you have the landowners
permission to carry out such activities.
Until next month, all the best to each of you,
Keith Dotterer
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