Considering the wind direction, a stand site should never be sacrificed. That means NEVER hunt it when the wind is wrong for it, especially if you don't bathe in scent killing soap, wear scent free camo and rubber boots, and spray down with scent killing spray. The biggest bucks are mature bucks - living, breathing BUG OUT machines, and they never err on the side of caution when they suspect or smell something is not right. For this reason, I'll develop another stand(s) for that site area allowing me to hunt any of the possible prevailing winds. Hunt the wind. Always.

Having several choices of stands to hunt also prevents stand burn out, meaning it's being over hunted - hunted too often in a short period of time. Mature deer can quickly pattern you within two hunts. Of 20 stands I have placed, I never have to hunt one over and over in a short period of time. Plus, a third of my stands cover preferred food sources, a third cover core rut areas, and a third cover travel corridors between bedding sites, food sources and core rut areas. All my bases are now covered. A couple of stands I can hunt only two or three times per 100 day season, they're that specialized.

270/90 Rule

I view prospective stand sites and the huntable area around it like a compass. I'm the needle pointing into the wind, the site around my stand is the compass rose with eight possible wind directions within the 360 degree circle. The best stands offer me at least a 270 degree shooting opportunity, we're thinking wind, forget the shooting lanes for now. The other 90 degrees are behind me, and is the area I don't want the buck to be in because that's where I could be scented. This step in the process of choosing a stand site utilizing the 270/90 rule is as important to me as being in the Zone and being able to become the Invisible Man.

Most of my stand sites offer at least two (of the three) huntable wind directions, giving me greater flexibility to hunt it. Thus, having multiple stands throughout my hunt area allows me to hunt the four primary winds: Southerly winds (SE/S/SW), Northerly winds (NE/N/NW), Easterly's (SE/E/NE) and Westerly winds (SW/W/NW). I now don't have to worry about where I can hunt. Also, having 2 or 3 stands placed in the most coveted areas means I'll have complete freedom to hunt the most active sites during any phase of the season, regardless of wind direction. Try it, your shot opportunities will skyrocket with this tactic and you won't jeopardize a site area because you hunted a stand when the wind was wrong. The following diagram of the Cross Creek stand locations illustrate what is in my mind as I select stands within a hunt site, and is the layout of the site I'm hunting at the beginning of this article. As you can see, two stands cover this site, allowing me to hunt the predominate fall and winter wind directions for our geographic area, typically Northerly's and Southerly's. Except for NW or W winds, I can hunt this site without worry. Therefore, when I've done my homework, the buck should never be in the 90* zone behind me. But, like what happened to me with this buck, they don't always cooperate with our best laid plans. Fortunately, the wind held a steady breeze keeping my scent up high and the buck walked almost directly underneath me as he angled in crosswind from behind.

Pew-Weeee

Like it or not, you stink! If you don't do something about controlling your scent while going to and from your stand you're wasting your time. No sense going through all the trouble we're talking about if you skip on this subject. Any deer with a brain over 6 months old simply won't tolerate your presence, so get as scent free as you can afford. That means your rubber boots, camo, gloves, hat and bow need to be sneaky clean. There are many methods and products to help you control your scent, and much has been written on the subject. Do it! You'll see deer like never before.

Know Entry - Know Exit

Now that you've got the stand site selected you need to consider how you're going to access the stand. You also have to determine if you can only get in during the mornings or afternoons. Those last few hundred steps to/from your stand will determine if a deer will make its route without altering its course. Choose a path that considers the wind, how much noise you'll make, and how visible you'll be to deer on your walk into/out of the stand site. Also, never touch anything with your bare hands while you are on the ground.

On your walk out of morning hunts, and in to afternoon hunts, slow it down. Not only look where you place your feet, but scan ahead and around. Avoid pushing through brush, kicking rocks, crunching leaves and snapping sticks underfoot - keep your approaches and exits quiet. On several occasions, I've come up on deer within 50 yards, giving me the opportunity to put the sneak on them, or just watch until they leave so I can continue on. If the conditions are right - damp, wet ground and windy, you can add a dimension to bow hunting few people ever get to enjoy. My two most memorable hunts happened like this as I decided to stalk up on good bucks I stumbled into on my way to stand because the conditions were right and I was taking a deliberate, slow and aware approach to my stand.

Do Not Disturb

At all cost, avoid walking through or next to a bedding site on your way in to hunt the afternoon and out of your morning hunts. Also, choose a path that directs you out and away from feeding areas on your walk in on mornings and out of in the evenings. During the rut, bucks are often active all day long, traveling and looking for receptive does, so avoid walking through the funnels and trail systems you'll be hunting, come in and then leave the stand from a perpendicular angle if possible. Remember, you don't want to be seen, smelled or heard. Stealth is key. All of this route planning can mean some extra time and walking, which I happen to like, so don't skip out here.

Know Parking

Lastly, unless you park in a place that has permanent human and automotive presence, like a farmer’s yard, in the immediate area where you will be hunting, do not slam the doors on your vehicle. Quietly push them shut. Also, keep your voice down, the radio off, and don't clank stuff around in the back of the pickup. From where you park there may homes just down the road, and you may even be able to hear people noises, but I promise you a mature deer will know something is up if it hears you as you leave your auto. Also, I try to park at least a quarter mile from the stand I'll be hunting. Come on now, that's only 440 yards. Many of my stands are 1/3 to 1/2 mile and more from where I park. We get several questions a year on Deerhunting.Net Q&A about driving to and parking close to hunt areas and if that effects the hunt. If the immediate hunt area is devoid of human activity throughout the year, then my answer is always the same, YES! Besides, why chance it. Plus, a casual walk to your stand releases stress and allows you to get mentally prepared for the hunt. So, after parking and from that moment on, shhhhhhhh.....

If you have a question regarding any point in this article, please feel free to ask me about it here, Deerhunting.Net Q&A.

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Until next time, begin creating an unforgettable season!

-Zano
www.huntrecorder.com