Camping and Deer Hunting...

[Archie]

I have access to about 150 acres of private land to hunt, and am thinking of heading out in the evening, sleeping outside in a tent there, and still-hunting for deer the next day.

Is this a good or a bad idea?  Of course, I don't want to camp right where I want to hunt, but is the property too small for this?

[ishoot4thrills]

Sounds like a grand idea to me. I think you would be fine.

[wingnut]

I would not camp up wind of the property.  150 acres is very small and camp smells could do the hunting in.

Mike

[Trad-Man]

Archie,
You live in Illinois, about an hour west of me.  In illinois deer smell peeps every single day.  Don't go out of youway to announce your presense and keep your activity on the down low and you should be alright.

I camp for weeks on my ground...it dosen't bother the deer one bit.

[sweeney3]

Unless you camp right next to where you plan to hunt, you'll be fine.  Heck, might be okay then.  I can't recall how many times I have had deer filter through my camps.  True, you're better off camping some distance from your hunt, but I'd pop out of the tent with bow strung and ready to go.

[Catskill Longbow]

I have hunted out of plenty of camps where more bucks are seen out the window while eating breakfast or lunch than back in the woods-(ADK)If you were on 10 acres I would be concerned.  150, camp on the fringe and go getem'!

[Don Stokes]

My buddy has an old cabin in the corner of his 40 acres, and I killed a deer in the front yard the other day, after staying there for two weeks.

[ronp]

It's agreat idea.  Camp and enjoy the hunting.

[Autumnarcher]

I camp and hunt on 80 acres with a 30' travel trailer and generator running outside. Deer are used to the noise and activity  both here and on the neighbors farm. I have stands as close as 60 yds from camp. No big deal. Hunt. Camp.  Enjoy life.

[dave19113]

I dont know what most people hunt, but to me anyway 150acres is a decent around of land. Is it all wooded?


I would def camp but like people above stated dont be up wind...


Good luck and take some pics...

[jimmerc]

You'll be fine!  I shot a real nice buck when I was younger right from my camp chair while heating coffie on a fire at lunch time! he was chasining a doe and they came through camp! In my hurried state to grab my bow and arrow from the quiver with out taking my eyes off him, I grabbed a rubber blunt head and sent it on it's way to his heart!  When it bounced off I just sat and cried,and laughed and cried some more!  He was a perfect 10 point and shot was all of 12 yards!!!

[ChuckC]

I agree with Trad-Man.  It really depends where you are.  In much of Illinois and many other states, deer smell smoke and vehicle emissions and people and dogs and tractors and everything else all the time.. . . coming from far away.  If you are camping in the middle, maybe that may skew things.

Go enjoy yourself and don't worry.
ChuckC

[njloco]

jimmerc, that is very funny   , now watch it happen to me next.

[Onions]

I just camped out all last weekend on a friends 100acre piece. Killed two does, 200yds from my camp. Had 13 deer within 10 yards. Keeping your presence to a minimum and hunt the wind. You should be fine.

chris <><

[woodchucker]

Are you talking camp for a week??? Or just overnight???

It sounds like an overnighter... which would be GREAT!!!!! You can take your time and pack in and set up your tent, Go to bed at dark, up before daybreak and in your stand before first light. All in about 15 mins. with a minimum amount of noise and disturbance.

Sounds like a home run!!!!!    

My Brother in-law's cousin used to hike to the top of the mountain the afternoon before Opening Day of Rifle Season. He'd set up a pup tent, lay out his sleeping bag, Have a sandwich and coffee for dinner, and hit the sack. In the morning, he'd get up, Orange juice and PopTarts for breakfast, and walk about 50 yards to his stand on a rock ledge overlooking the mountain.(cold camp,minimum disturbance) Everyone pushed the deer up to the top of the mountain on thier way up opening day, and he always killed a big buck every opening morning. He also saw more deer than anyone else did!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Archie]

Thanks, everybody....

I've been out hunting those 150 acres most of the day...

I was just talking about an overnighter, no homesteading!  And it's a plot of land with a mile of river, in a flood plain, with a lot of marsh, completely overrun by canary grass, bordered by a whole bunch of corn that I also have access to hunt.  It's not a very fruitful place for deer hunting, but it's all I've got.

But I didn't camp out.  I thought it would be novel to set up my tent and rough it, but thought better of spending a cold night with 85% humidity just for kicks.  The landowner has a little cabin -- about 15' x 20',  and I think I'll just stay there for a night this week.  

I saw more deer tonight that ever before, in 7 years of hunting there.  A nice buck, and about 10 different deer skipping about.  I'd never heard a buck grunt in real life until tonight.  For about 4 years, I've seen next to nothing every year.

[Barry Rowland]

Fred Bear did it all the time.  My son and I were thinking about doing the same thing.  Even if we don't get anything, it will make for great memories; besides, every day outside is a great day!

[rod251]

One of my best spots is a 20 acre plot that's been in my family for almost a century. My uncle has a small cabin on it where he goes to drink coffee and watch the squirrels almost daily.  Despite all the human activity, I still take deer from this spot every year.  Enjoy your 150 acres and good luck!

[swampdrummer]

I LIVE on 20 acres. Cabin smack in the middle of it. I have a half dozen or so stands on the 20 acres and kill 2 or 3 deer a year off of it. The deer don't seem to mind us being there and the fact that they hear the daily activity and smell the daily smells actually helps, IMHO. with the hunting. It seems I can get away with a lot more in terms of swirling winds and spooky deer. They just aren't pressured and know we are here.
So, yeah, I'd camp out in your situation in a heart beat

[Paul WA]

Camping is a good thing. We are heading out the 29th of Nov. with a wall tent and a wood stove to try for a cow elk...PR