Getting into Position

[NM_Muley_Hunter]

I have a question about hunting tactics. I hunt in the foothills mostly, with sagebrush/oakbrush/scattered PJ - needless to say it is very open. I always get up very early and try to be in my glassing spot at least 1 hour before sunrise, while it is still dark. Many of my glassing spots are on top of a ridge overlooking a canyon. I usually approach them from the other side of the ridge from the area I will be glassing, and ease up over the ridge to find a seat and wait for enough light to begin glassing.

As it goes with hunting, when it gets light enough to glass, there are no deer to be seen (even after thoroughly glassing the canyon for several hours). When that happens (and even when I see some deer), I always wonder if I might have bumped something out of the canyon by sneaking over the ridge before light. So here's my question: Do you think deer can see you from a distance (say 300-1000 yards) in the dark? I know their night vision is much better than ours, but how much better?

Would it be better to wait on the other side of the ridge until it is light enough to glass, and then begin "scrolling" over the ridge, glassing each bit of new country as it comes into view?

Opinions please! Thanks.

 

[HullinPhx]

Great Question, Not sure how good deer can see at night, But I would be more worried about them hearing and smelling you than I would be about them seeing you.

Just my thoughts.

 

[NM_Muley_Hunter]

I agree - I guess the question is assuming that the wind is in your favor, and you are as quite as possible moving into place (I was going to say completely quite, but it seems inevitable moving around in the dark that you will make a little noise).

Also, one other point - I always turn off my flashlight before coming over the top of the ridge. I figure that they might not be able to see me, but I'm almost positive they could see the flashlight beam.

 

[five_point_buck]

Good question, I have often wondered the same thing. I am notoriously impatient and have a difficult time keeping to my plan. Three years ago I forced myself on a bitter cold mornign to stay put from sun up till 11 am. I knew a buck was using a sadlle I was overlooking. At countless times between 8 and 10 am I was ready to leave, especially when I saw the two 4x4s sparing a mile away. Temptaion was begging me to go after them, but I stuck to the plan. Finally at 10:50 a buck made his way to the saddle, not the same buck, but an excellent buck none the less.

How long do you stay on your stand?? Are there deer in the area (sign, scouted animals etc etc). Start with these two questions and work backwards. Stand hunt till late morning and then still hunt down with the wind in your face (as the sun rises so do the thermals and the wind drifts up hill). Good point about the flashlight, but maybe try getting to your spot 1.5 hours or 2 hours before sun-up. This has helped me. You may bump deer, but if its a good spot and you have the wind, they'll return within a few hours, or other deer will filter by. I don't think deer can see 100 yards at night, but they can hear and smell you 500-800 yards out. A point I constaNtly prove when I lose the wind and my scent blows a stalk.
One other quickie, try NOT to use a flashlight. Usually that pre dawn light is enough to get you where your going, and it forces you to slow down. I carry one of those new keychain map laser lights that have red or blue L.E.D. lights. The light they project is much softer and forgiving as compared to the bright contrast of the typical white light and it washes the ground a few feet in each direction, definately enough to get you to a stand.

Hope this helps, be patient and have fun.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

 

[localyocal]

Come on, NM Muley Hunter! As a fellow NM'er, I suggest that you take into consideration the wind direction and have alternative approaches ironed out ahead of time so that you can get to your position with the wind helping. Also, you have to give yourself plenty of time to get there so you can walk very slowly and quietly. If you break a sweat getting there, you could already be in trouble. Most importantly, you should get to know an area well enough to know where other hunters are going to be and where they may come from and the escape routes or general travel patterns of the deer themselves. These critters are smart and I can guarantee that if they can't smell you or see you, they will still try to outsmart you and escape through an area you are not expecting. Sometimes they may just sit or stand and wait you out. Think of it like playing chess. You have to see the whole board and plan your every move and that means two or more moves in advance. I know many hunters who have no patience and they have actually made my hunting easier. Go get 'em!

 

[sandhillhunter]

How about this-
Why not sleep in and then go out around 9 AM after the deer have bedded down and become comfortable? I know the answer- Because in New Mexico the rifle hunts are a whopping 3 days, soon to be draw only, and it's hard to sleep at night thinking about those giant forked-horns on the public state land anyways.

 

[NM_Muley_Hunter]

Yes, but aren't the biggest forkhorns most active at dawn and dusk? I'm just trying to increase my chances of bagging a 30 inch forkhorn.

Back to the original question. Do you think it is better to get into the exact position you want to glass from before light, or is it better to wait just over the edge of the ridge and begin slowly scrolling over the top once it is light enough to glass?

 

[stanley]

Know the area you are hunting so you can do it as safely & quietly as possible, but GET INTO POSITION BEFORE LIGHT!

My $.02...

S.

 

[ICMDEER]

Every situation is different. I try to get there before daylight, and I never use a flashlight close to dawn. I always try to come in so the rising sun is at my back if possible.

I do not think if you are "sneaky" that the deer will notice you from 300+ yards. If you come blasting over the skyline right before dawn, a big buck will probably notice you. But as other have mentioned, we assume you have the wind and are in "sneak mode."

I hope you whack a monster. This is the time of the year when we are all equal, and everybody should be thinking of huge bucks and pondering questions like this one. Good thought.

 

[NM_Muley_Hunter]

Thanks for the feedback. I tend to agree with everything said. My general thought is that if you are moving slowly enough, are quiet, and have the wind in your favor, the deer will not see you slip into position in the dark.

Good luck this season.