It's never too early

[deadeye]

Had a great time in the woods yesterday.  The lack of snow and warm weather made for a very nice time in the woods.  We cleared an old trail marking the line between us and a neighbor, marked a new trail for better access and grouse hunting, and located three spots to put stands for next fall's bow hunting.  Early September is usually a hard time to find the right spot (not just an area, but the exact tree) to place a stand.  High grass, ferns, and leaves block most trails.  Yesterday I tried something new.   I knew of several general areas I wanted to hunt next fall but didn't know exactally where to place the stands.  After using flagging tape to mark all the deer trails in an area, it became readily apparent where the best stand location would be.  Then I simply had the locate the tree(s) that would allow me the best shot to the most trails while providing the most concealment.  Now I can put up the stands at anytime knowing that once the leaves start to fall, it will be a great location. 

[Sew Sille]

Great idea!! It is good to be in the woods anytime you can.

[FireRanger]

Very intuitive thinking there deadeye, I'm sure it will pay off barring any significant changes in the area. I'm sure yer already excited for the next season.

[MnDeerStalker]

I do alot of scouting while shed hunting I even set some stands and sit in them just to get out there but just remember what you can see now will be very different when there is full foliage.  So if your are looking threw empty tree branches u are going to want to thin them out so you have a clear shooting lane.

[deadeye]

You are absolutely right, MnDeerStalker.  I most likely will need to do some trimming for early fall hunts.  I may not hunt these spots until the foliage starts to drop.

FireRanger, Not only excited for next season.. Still hunting this season.  I went out today with my son for an afternoon hunt.  At 2:00 PM I saw a doe standing at a swamp edge about 50 yards away.  When I saw she was headded away, I gave a few can calls.  I saw three other deer moving along the edge - all away from me.  They stopped about 80 yards away and I could see two does and two bucks.  One buck looked like a 6 or small 8 point.  They moved again and then I could clearly see the other buck.  WOW it was a jaw dropping knee shaker.  He stood broadside at about 100 yards but my best grunts, and grunt-snort-wheeze couldn't get him to break away from the others.  I got a very good look through the binos.  I believe he was bigger than any buck I have taken.  I don't know if I can wait until next year to go after him.  I just may have to give it one more shot this year.  Crap, here I thought I was pretty much hunted out for this year and now I'm itchen to get in another hunt or two before New Years Eve.