Hunting alone

[Robbo65]

I just started hunting last year,shotgun deer and spring turkey. I went with my neighbor. No one else I knows hunts. I bought a bow several months ago, have been practicing, and am taking the test this week. My neighbor now says he'll be too busy for bow. I don't feel comfortable using my climber hunting alone.I'll be hunting North Jersey WMA's. Do I get a ground blind? Also, I'vebeen spending alot of time in the woods, all wma's and I've seen several stands up. I thought you couldn't leave stands up, and that you had to take them down after you were done hunting for the day. Thanks, Rob

[stephenf]

Robb the stands are supposed to be removed but you know how people are they are staking a claim to that SPOT ,.Ground blinds do work well in the right situation, but there are scent close to the ground issues ,and the line of sight shortening. but it is a viable option ,either a homemade stick and brush type or a commercial style work ,i would still brush in a commercial one to make it look more hidden .

[BLACKCLOUD]

If you leave a stand on public hunting land, other people can hunt it even though it your stand. I had a stand stolen last year on public land.
Hunting on the ground can be done with any weapon. Just watch the wind.

[maine_sport]

In NJ there are no regulations that state a tree stand in a WMA must be removed at the end of the day. There are regulations that forbid permanent waterfowl blinds in 13 specific WMAs. All waterfowl blinds in these WMAs must be portable and removed at the end of the day.

Store bought ground blinds work very well. They are good at blocking your scent. For bow you need a blind big enough to shoot from. It helps if you practice shooting from the blind.

Last season I setup my son with a tent type ground blind. He arrived at the blind before daylight. However, he fell asleep. When he awoke, there was a 9 pointer, a spike and several does within 20 yards. He made so much noise reaching for his gun that he spooked the deer.

[Robbo65]

I emailed The Division of Fish and wildlife.. these were the responses...

The only regulations I am aware of is whether they are allowed or not. On state wildlife management areas they can be used but must be temporary and removed each day. I suggest you contact the Div. of Parks and Forestry (this is Cc'd to their representative) regarding their use on properties they administer. Contact any other agency (county park system, US Fish and Widllife Service, etc.) regarding use of treestands on their lands. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us (NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us)

Robert - I received a copy of your e-mail from the Division of Fish & Wildlife. As per the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks & Forestry, State Park Service Administrative Code: 7:2-2.18 Restrictions on hunting, fishing, and trapping: (c) The building, erecting, use of or hunting from a permanent type tree stand or hunting blind is prohibited. (d) Hunting from portable, temporary hunting tree stands or hunting blinds is permitted. However, the hunter using the portable temporary hunting tree stand or hunting blind shall remove it immediately after use.

Michele

[maine_sport]

The information that the wildlife representative gave you about stands in WMAs is wrong. Ask him for the regulation numbers.

As for state parks, each have specific hunting regulations per park. You will find regulations that state "stands are to removed at the end of the day".

[Robbo65]

Thanks Maine... so if I scout a spot out, and put up a stand ahead of time, I'm just taking a chance no one steals it. So someone can put a stand up in september and leave it up till feb if they want too?

[maine_sport]

Thanks Maine... so if I scout a spot out, and put up a stand ahead of time, I'm just taking a chance no one steals it. So someone can put a stand up in september and leave it up till feb if they want too?



Yes………… Your best chance for success is to find a large WMA that the state doesn’t stock with game birds or a large state forest. Look for other hunter’s parked vehicles (early morning, late afternoon) to determine where they are hunting then, pick an area away from them. The further you get from the roads the more success you will have. Avoid marking your trail. Pick a tree for your stand that allows you to get about 20’ high. I like big cedar trees next to some running water. Those trees are easy to climb and they hide you and your stand well. Rub several apples head high on several trees in front of your stand and put a small pile on the ground. Scout the immediate area to insure that you are not near another hunter. Return in two days to see if the deer are eating your apples. If so, hang your stand and begin your hunt.

[Robbo65]

Thanks for the tips, just got back , put some apples down. I'll be using a ground blind to start out with. Don't want to use my climber in the woods alone.

[ub1243]

i don't bait, no need too.
but i was always told during the early season you will get too many bees on the apples and the deer won't eat them as much as latter in the season.
corn always works, but if you have a larger turkey population, save your money. or put it into a feeder tube and keep it off the ground.

[onthehunt]

I have apples out in the back right now. The deer don't seem to mind the bees much. Early in the am or late in the evening is better for activity when it is cooler. You do see the deer fuss when those bees get too close to their ears though. Nothing wrong with a ground set up. Just watch your wind.;)

[stephenf]

I would have to say they love apples ,plus if you keep a steady supply you can get a buck hooked on a sweet tooth .Corn they will allways hit ,when it gets cold they will really hit the corn ,but then again when it is cold they will hit anything

[onthehunt]

Does anyone have the numbers to stephenf's pile?:bow:LMFAO Nice looking deer there. good luck:thup:

[bowhunter]

I always had great luck with sugar beets. My deer are spoiled I guess:D

[onthehunt]

I got those red beets one year because they were out of apples. Sugar beets the farmer called them. The deer were rubbing their heads and rolling on them. They went :nuts: for them. Can't get them at that place anymore. The deer love them though.

[Barrell]

Treestads can be dangerous but with use of a safety belt up and down you will be OK. I was huting up in the Adirondacks three years ago and my partner was on the otherside of the road from where are cabin was. I was over 1/2 mile back in behind the cabin in a new spot I had found that he didnt know about. It was below zero and when I went to climb down with me new climber I lost the stand and it fell 30 feet to the ground. I was hanging from my safety belt with just the seat part of the stand to grasp on to. It was so dark I couldnt see more then a few inches. I knew how high I was and how hard the ground was in those temps. I had already lowered my rifle and backpack. I couldnt lift myself onto the seat as my frozen muscles and anxiety were sapping by strength..The simple waist bekt was up under my armpits and although it wasnt sufocating me because I was still hanging on to the stand seat I knew I would soon loose my grip and needed to do something. I had heard many stories of guys being found dead hanging by the same belt I was using and which would soon be crushing my lungs when my arms gave out. I always wake up and clip my folding clip on serated knife on my strong side pocket and sudenly I remebered it was there. I wrapped one leg around the frozen slippery oak tree and held on to the seat with my left hand as I drew, and opened the pocket knife. The serated blade sliced right through the belt and I shimmied down the tree in the darkness. It semed like I was 50 feet high on the long way down. As soon as I enetered the cabin my partner could see I still had the fear in my eyes and he asked"what happened to you" I told him I needed a beer first before any explanations.
In further reveiw I had made a bunch of mistakes and some things right.
1- I didnt explain to him in detail where I was.
2- I didnt use my full body harness instead I chose to go with a belt that night.
3- I didnt atach the little straps that keep the seat and stand together
4- I chose a very wet and frozen tree with smooth bark instead of a conifer.
Did right
1- I wore the belt up the tree and didnt remove it before climbing down
2- I had my knife on my person not in my backpack
3- although upset I thought about my situation and thought of a solution

[BUCKSHOT]

A safety belts do help you relax alot better all my stand are between 28 an 32 feet in the air if i dont have a limb close by i were a belt it take the edge of

[MEAT-WAGON]

hunt safe hunt smart :thup:

[theirishjig]

True...each park has its own rules...i've read rules that stated stands have to be taken out by the end of the season...or they will be confiscated.

["String Music"]

If you leave a stand on public hunting land, other people can hunt it even though it your stand. I had a stand stolen last year on public land.
Hunting on the ground can be done with any weapon. Just watch the wind.

Let me catch someone hunting my stand! It wont be pretty!

[rockytrd]

:cool:Do not be afraid, must of the hunting game is alone time. Things to remember; make sure you carry two flashlights, compass and a cellphone with you at all times. These are just some basic equipment there is always room for more toys. About wma after the season is over you must remove your things, do not distroy trees, do not use anything that attached permanently to a tree (nothing that screws) and with some of our hunting brothers nothing is sacred. About your stand keep practicing in your backyard until you are comfortable, the woods is not a place to practice. And before I forget make sure someone knows where you will be hunting and what time to expect a call.

[mudmarlin70]

Robbo--- you working monday or tuesday???

[jross]

I tether my harness as high as I can reach so I am practically hanging in it. If you tie at a lower level of attachment, if you fall, that sudden stop may hurt you. Also tethering high allows one to lean out for that once in a lifetime shot and a little snooze if needed.

[wreckless]

Lock the stand

[Robbo65]

MudMarlin, I just got home from LBI, was off yesterday. I'll be there the rest of the week, off next Mon and Tues. Cell 973-634-3461

[boatliftman]

i prefer to hunt alone, as stated before wear a harness bring a cell phone a flashlight and a compass and have a good time:)