Big Timber Tips and Tricks

[Hoosier_hunter157]

I'll be hunting big timber in southern OH in couple weeks and wanted to reach out for some tips/tactics on hunting this type of land. I'm used to hunting flat Indiana so my experience in big timber patches is minimal. My plan is to use a climber to stay mobile. Beyond that I'm somewhat lost. I'm all ears to those with experience.

[Roy from Pa]

Look for a natural funnel.

Look for acorns.

[jonsimoneau]

In some ways big timber is easier than flat land. In most cases you’ll want to avoid hunting in the bottoms due to swirling winds. Most of the time on a long ridge there is a trail running parallel with the ridge about 1/3 of the way down. Deer will use these trails when the wind is blowing perpendicular to the ridge with the wind coming over the top of the ridge. They can smell anything above them and can see down into the bottom. Rising thermals often meet with the wind in this situation causing a tunnel effect. I believe this is why those trails exist thee in the first place. It can be tricky setting up in these spots often forcing me to get higher in the tree than I like. I use milkweed to find a spot along these trails where the wind will work for me. I’ve got one spot like this where I actually setup with the wind to my back above said trail and my scent passes over the deer. I discovered this spot by using milkweed and have killed 2 P&Y bucks out of this location and have passed on numerous bucks.  At the ends of the ridges these trails often connect with a saddle which can be a great rut spot.

[Sam McMichael]

Big deer often like the thick stuff.

[Trenton G.]

Look for area that may have been logged a while back. Deer love bedding in the thick, new growth, and they love to walk old logging roads. Wind is tricky in big woods with lots of valleys. It may be blowing one way one minute and then do a 180 for no reason, then switch back again.

[Hoosier_hunter157]

So what's the trick with the wind then? Just play it the best you can?

[Bowguy67]

Idk either area but you say your home turf is flat. If the timber is mountainous you need not only contend w what the wind might be doing but you’ve got to consider thermals as part of your plan.
Look for bedding area than the food sources. Oaks are a great one, be sure n sit over preferred types. They aren’t all just acorns

[Bvas]

Like bowguy stated. Not all acorns are equal. Right now in my area, acorns are everywhere. Find acorns with AND deer scat. These are the preferred trees.

Now find bedding area and set up between the two. Set up high in the morning for rising thermals and deer returning to bed. Set up low in the evenings for falling thermals and deer coming out to feed. And avoid the heads of gullies the best you can. Winds will swirl terribly. Deer will catch your scent upwind.

Simple! Right? 

[Hoosier_hunter157]

Sounds like a piece of cake! Lol