[Bowsnbucks38]

I've used topo maps to find "likely" spots to set up, taking into account the prevailing winds in that area. I'm not techy anyway, and I've never used a GPS to mark areas for sign or a possible stand site. For some reason, I just have used "markers" when I go into an area, and I use them when I go back in darkness to a stand. Having apps to dictate my moves seems foreign to me - even IF I knew how to use them!!

I've found terrain, prevailing winds, and thermals to be pretty good predictors of deer movement - especially big bucks. This Paul Putera guy seems to use terrain features and wind / thermals to get to where he wants to be for a set-up. If the apps work for him, that's great - can't argue with success. I just go without the apps. I enjoyed the video.

 

[steelhead125]

I really enjoyed the video as well .

 

[steelhead125]

Just want clarify and to make certain no one thinks I am judging them . If anything I feel guys who use these apps are way more advanced than I am . Basically I am just not a techie guy to begin with . Anyhow I am just amazed at how all this new technology is changing the game in regards to scouting and finding big bucks.

 

[repsag]

No offense taken!

I was away from archery hunting for a while. I am enjoying getting back into it so much at this point, scouting, using onX, buying a new crossbow, etc. I use onX to help while I scout new areas and not only mark the potential locations, but also to eliminate areas. I guess I would be a partial techie/nerd LOL. But with all the tech at our disposal, you still need boots on the ground, and the miles put on scouting is great for overall health and enjoying the outdoors.

 

[steelhead125]

No offense taken!

I was away from archery hunting for a while. I am enjoying getting back into it so much at this point, scouting, using onX, buying a new crossbow, etc. I use onX to help while I scout new areas and not only mark the potential locations, but also to eliminate areas. I guess I would be a partial techie/nerd LOL. But with all the tech at our disposal, you still need boots on the ground, and the miles put on scouting is great for overall health and enjoying the outdoors.

Well said .

 

[dce]

I simplified the way I hunt for everything.I don't use cameras,pre-hang stands or use any technology.For turkeys,I take a couple diaphrams and maybe a box call.It has nothing to do with fair chase.I just enjoy the experience better when it's simplified.

 

[steelhead125]

It doesn’t seem all that long ago when I would shoot a deer I would hide it under leaves and sticks and drive out to a pay phone to call my Dad . If I didn’t have any change I would call collect .
Now guys have cell phones apps that actually tell them which ridges will be cast in shadow at certain times of the day . Pretty mind boggling.

 

[repsag]

Calling collect- I bet half the people on this site don't even know what that means LOL. If I didn't have a dime for a call, I would use the name "dadI'mreadymeetyou" and then he wouldn't accept the call, then he would meet at the predetermined location. Old school!

 

[steelhead125]

Calling collect- I bet half the people on this site don't even know what that means LOL. If I didn't have a dime for a call, I would use the name "dadI'mreadymeetyou" and then he wouldn't accept the call, then he would meet at the predetermined location. Old school!

That is genius ! Lol !

 

[fall gobbler]

I really liked the video. That guy brought up a lot of things that are always frustrating when hunting the mountains and big ridges. Seems like he's really studied the wind and thermals to a high degree. Guess he figures there's no sense putting in the time to find the exact location of a good buck and then go in and have your scent swirl right to him.

I learned a bit from the video.

 

[PAtradarcher]

I have been shooting my longbow a lot the past few weeks. Feeling pretty good at 15 yards gap shooting.

It's about time you shot that bow. 😊

 

[yellodog]

I see alot of comments about "boots on the ground" and how that's nessessary. I shot buck after buck almost every year by doing a little road scouting, looking at ariels, going in and hanging stands, then coming back the first week of November. Almost no actual scouting. Occasionally I had to adjust a stand cuz the deer weren't coming close enough, but I was always in the ballpark. Ariels and topos together will show you where you need to be, or at least give you a great starting point, at least in the kind of habitat I hunt.

 

[steelhead125]

It's about time you shot that bow. 😊wa

Pretty sure he plans on using it on the HPA hog hunt . Hopefully they get some good footage.

 

[VaPa hunter]

I was watching this podcast last night Called Before the Echo and they had a guy on there by the name of Paul Putera . He is from New Jersey but also hunts Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio . Not a very well known guy but in small circles his claim to fame is being a highly successful mountain hunter .
Have to admit I was very impressed with him . He is about as serious as you can get when it comes to pursuing whitetails and from what I can gather isn’t blowing smoke when it comes to tactics. In a weird way though I found him almost to be too serious. He has special apps that he uses on his phone to show what parts of the mountain get shade at a certain time of day during a particular time of year . He has wind and thermals down to a science . He also mentioned how he will go out after a rain and track a particular buck for over a mile by the track left in leaves so he can figure out what the deer is doing . Also has somewhere around 14 to 15 target bucks to hunt every season .
Not saying that I don’t respect his dedication but being on that kind of level would burn me out . Not to mention I don’t have the amount of time in my life to be that dedicated.
I guess in a way it sort of left my with a feeling of inferiority and the realization that there are hunters out there way more dedicated than I will ever be even though I think I am pretty dedicated.
My takeaway for the most part is I am more grinder than tactician and that’s fine . I will take some things I learned from guys on that next level and try to incorporate some of it into my hunting methods but not to the point where I lose enjoyment. I could never be as dedicated as Paul .
Anyhow here is the podcast if anyone is interested in checking it out .

I take the e first week of spring gobbler off every year. Best week of the year. I hunt from home so no driving anywhere. Sometimes I don’t leave the house for days. Hundreds and hundreds of acres to roam. I hunt my tail off from sunup to noon.

Once the afternoon and evening come, that becomes family time. I’m usually working on putting in a garden, splitting firewood, grilling and drinking some beers, then ending the evening hooting from the back deck with my little girl. Sometimes we get lucky and one is roosted within earshot. But that doesn’t cover a fraction of the ground. I know my odds for success would go up if I spent that time trying to locate a bird. But there’s a line that has to be drawn between the quest for success versus when you begin to take the fun out.

 

[TBrom]

I see alot of comments about "boots on the ground" and how that's nessessary. I shot buck after buck almost every year by doing a little road scouting, looking at ariels, going in and hanging stands, then coming back the first week of November. Almost no actual scouting. Occasionally I had to adjust a stand cuz the deer weren't coming close enough, but I was always in the ballpark. Ariels and topos together will show you where you need to be, or at least give you a great starting point, at least in the kind of habitat I hunt.

PaBone is another one that claims to not scout and doesn't even know where he's going to hunt when he heads out. His strategy is to just look for acorns. I'm trying to cut back but if I'm not in the woods 4-5 days a week, I start to go through withdrawals. I enjoy the process more than the hunt. If I just waited until the season opened, I'd give it up. The killing is actually pretty anticlimactic...at least with deer.

 

[dce]

The year long journey is what motivates me because the kill is anti-climatic.I can't be out 4-5 times per week all year but if I miss a weekend out there,it wears on me.It's no different with turkeys.In another month I'll be out every day before work because I love hearing them way more than killing them.I doubt I'll ever cut back my time in the woods but simplifying the process has made it more fun.

 

[steelhead125]

If it was more convenient for me I would be in the woods a lot more often . I try to get out there when I can .

 

[TBrom]

Shooting 5 shots a day at 15 yards. Things are tightening up but still nowhere near where they need to be. I'm probably holding them in a paper plate now but want to get them into a snuff can before I'll have confidence.

 

[steelhead125]

The Beast Stand came in . Didn’t get too much time to play around with it yet but very impressed with it so far . Did hang it on one tree and walked around on the platform. One of the major gripes from some was how it flexes out on the end . I am over 220 and found that line of thought laughable. Stood out on the very end of thing and bounced and felt totally secure . Felt a little flex but absolutely nothing that would concern 18 feet up . I guess guys need a reason to nitpick. Also going to have to test it on a bunch of trees because the other complaint I heard about it is that on certain trees the bracket will sometimes make a popping sound .
Anyhow can’t believe how light it is . Not much heavier than my Seeker saddle platform and it’s really balanced well . Definitely will use it as a hybrid from time to time because my saddle is now going to be primarily be used as my safety harness . My oldest son just turned 10 and could hold it with one hand with ease . My 8 year also didn’t have too much trouble . Granted it will weigh a couple pounds more once I get it hunt ready .

 

[yellodog]

PaBone is another one that claims to not scout and doesn't even know where he's going to hunt when he heads out. His strategy is to just look for acorns. I'm trying to cut back but if I'm not in the woods 4-5 days a week, I start to go through withdrawals. I enjoy the process more than the hunt. If I just waited until the season opened, I'd give it up. The killing is actually pretty anticlimactic...at least with deer.

I'm m in the woods pretty much every day, I don't need more woods time to make me happy.

Our whole outlook is different. You need to "know" a particular buck, get a pattern on him, know exactly when and where you'll kill him. I don't. I like to hunt new ground, devise a plan and pick a spot, then let bucks prove I'm right when I hunt it. Iv'e got no problem shooting a buck iv'e never seen before, and have zero history with, iv'e shot lots like that. Just different ways of doing, and enjoying, the process.