Any advice for a first time deer hunter?

New to Canada and hunting and went for the 'wing it' solo style for this season (see intro post here https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...Sudbury-region!)

I got lucky with an antlerless tag in WMU42 though I'm starting to suspect it will be going unclaimed this year.

I put a stand up out the back of some public land near Sudbury, though the front half seems pretty well pressured with stands/trails/hanging post, which is why I kept walking back. Though now its in some thick bush that is tricky to get to. A trail cam nearby had fairly consistent doe/fawn traffic over the last couple of months but nothing to be seen now.

Some questions:
1- How the F do you keep warm in a deer stand for hours on end...... Struggled after just a couple of hours
2- What time should you be in your stand for the AM? If its a 45 minute walk, its hard to be there before sunrise with the legal hours. Do you just head out earlier anyway?
3- If I am loud tramping through the bushes to my stand in the AM, is there even a remote chance of a deer swinging back around that day?
4- If there was an old wooden stand halfway to yours that clearly has not been touched this season, and possibly for a few (no trail to it, half fallen down, untouched snow on it from 5 days ago), would you be tempted to set up shop in it for a morning?

I'll be giving it a few days to calm down out there this week and hopefully get back out there next weekend.

If anyone wants to teach/party hunt with a new hunter this coming Fri-Sun let me know and the hoofs are yours. Any advice appreciated!

The little heat packs that you shake. Wool socks.
Head to stand when you can. Look a deer movement on trail cam to tell you when to be there.
If you’re loud you might spook what’s close but it’s not that bad and they can move in after you settle down.
I would use the old stand if safe and the trail camera shows deer moving in front of it.

If you are hunting that far in are you going to be able to get a deer out???

Make sure you don't sweat on the way in, I always strap outer layers to my backpack and before I make the last 50 yards to my stand I'll stop and cool down then put the jackets on and get in the stand. This was my first "real" gun season putting in about 50 hours on stand in the rain, snow, and high winds so I had some lessons to learn quickly. I also recommend wool socks and hand warmers in your pockets to revive your fingers, I'll also add - bring lots of snacks high in sugar or fat like pepperettes. They were a lifesaver for me. I also did a lot of ground setups so I was able to sit or stand in different positions after a couple of hours.

If you like me and sweat no matter (ie this morning -3, I am in thin long sleeve shirt and still sweating [emoji28][emoji28] on 25min walk and climb)

Quick dry cloth (synthetic) might come to the rescue. It dries on you off your body heat

The drawback of such cloth is- it seems retain the BO much more

lots of good advise here. I'd want to be in the stand 30min before legal. Like mentioned noise will only spook those that are close, there will be more come by. Stay as long as you can before you leave. Maybe go for a walk to warm up then back to stand. If camera shows evening then get there hour before deer show up and wait. If evening hunting don't forget to bring lots of bright lights for tracking and field dressing. I like the lights with hangers so you can hang in a tree to free up your hands while doing the field dressing

If I plan to sit on stand for very long I use a Heater Body Suit.
https://heaterbodysuit.com/
https://sportsugar.com/product/arcti...realtree-edge/

The alternative is to travel to your stand in light-weight clothing and pack in warm gear and put it on upon arrival.

Nothing wrong with taking a break from sitting and going for a short walk to warm up. You can also go away from your stand, build a campfire and heat up some lunch. The smoke from the fire is a good cover scent.

The longer that you remain undetected on stand the better. Stealth is the key.

Baffin -100 deg boots for the cold, (titan i think) gotta have warm feet and they are like walking in pillows. Get a really good warm coat. amazon sells heated gloves. I Would not recommend using someone's wooden stand that hasn't been maintained unless your really sure about it. If your not seeing deer now, gear up for the cold when human pressure dies down and hopefully you see more deer traffic.

As said above, pack in your outer layer. No cotton, at all, ever. A thermal layer or two of wool is best, if its below freezing add goose down to the mix.

Also, pack in some food, lots of carbs, a thermos with hot water will help, I started using a heated vest which seems to be worth the weight (battery).

As above many said about gear and techniques...........but,You have to try some,and figure out what will work for YOU.
I went thru all of the above,and eventually settled in where i am,because they work for me.

And as said-i would not recommend using old wooden stand.
Let us know how it pans out.

A good base layre that will wick moisture away from your body is always a nice touch. I hunt the rifle season on Manitoulin (Opens Monday!!). My setup is just a small ice fishing chair against a tree but have hunted a stand there as well.

Usually try to be sitting and quiet atleast 20-30 mins before legal shooting time but location of your stand and access/deer sign can adjust that.

Definitely get a few packs of those "Grabber" handwarmers that you shake up. Usually have one in each of the chest pockets of my jacket and in side pockets as well for my hands. start them when you start your walk in as they take a while to get going and keep heat.

When deer hunting there is ALWAYS a chance that something will walk by.. I know the hunting on Manitoulin is "easier' due to the high population but you never know when something may walk by.. Last year I opened my eyes after a 3pm nice couple second doze off (it happens when the sun hits you just right and warms you up after a long day sitting) and to my surprise had an 8pt buck standing 15 yards in front of me!

Hang in there and put in the time and it will all be worth it! Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

I like to get to my stand ATLEAST a half hour before shooting time. An hour sometimes if I feel like the place I'm set up at is a main trail.

Best way to stay warm is with a heater. Mr buddy heater is where it's at. You xna get the small compact one I think still that stand up on a 1 pound propane tank. Easier to carry into the bush with you.

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Some good advice here. If you arrive at your spot all sweated-up you're beat if you don't have a dry change of clothes. Sitting in damp sweaty clothes will chill you to the bone in no time. I sweat like a pig, so it took me a few years to finally figure out a good system when I was hunting areas that involved a 25 min walk into my spot. I'd leave the truck in work pants with a polypro long underwear and shirt top. One light wool sweater on top. Orange ballcap and super thin orange vest. I'd usually be soaked by the time I'd get to the stand. First thing I'd do is strip to bare gitch and socks. I'd carry everything in a canoe tump pack. Out came the roll of paper towel. I'd dry all the sweat off my body, esp. my scalp. Used paper towel goes into a plastic bag. First thing on was Ice Breaker merino wool long gitch and top. Next is a light wool sweater and Big Bill thick wool pants. Then the fleece neck warmer and wool orange hat. Next goes another wool sweater and a gortex light shell over it. I wouldn't do the zipper up yet. Now I'd get comfy in the stand and take my wool hat off for about the first twenty mins. When I start to chill then I'd zip up my jacket and put my hat back on. The absolute essential is either a light sleeping bag or a heavy wool blanket. I'd drape this over my legs from my waist down. This makes a huge difference in keeping you warm. I swear by wool to breathe. Nothing is warmer. The 280 weight IceBreaker merino is tough to beat. I could sit all day like this and be toasty warm, even with snow on the ground. I walk in the dark with a Petzel head lamp to make sure I'm in my spot about 1/2 hour before legal. I always bring a big thermos of hot tea and a couple of peanut butter and honey sandwiches with some granola bars. Hunt in ground blinds. It's much warmer than going up a tree. I'd be very leery of trusting an old wooden stand. Not worth getting paralyzed falling out of it. All the crap about cover scents is totally overrated. Yes, wind direction comes in to play but the most important thing to learn is to sit absolutely still and you'll fill your tag. I've sat with friends before and was horrified at how much they fidgeted and moved the entire time we were sitting (playing with phone, digging stuff out of their pockets, quickly moving their heads, coughing, smoking, etc. ). They couldn't sit still for more than two minutes and they wondered why they weren't seeing many deer! You will not be capable of sitting still if you're not comfy and warm.

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Originally Posted by glen

If you are hunting that far in are you going to be able to get a deer out???

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Haha I like this question, I have thought it myself a few times now while trekking out to the stand. It might have to come out in pieces is all I know :)

Thanks all for the responses!

I think I had ticked off most the warmth items so already. I had got myself woolen thermals, little hotties hand warmers, bib, walked out in less gear, put on more gear out there etc. I am from a much warmer place so it hits me hard.... I think the winner idea is the ground blind with a ice fishing heater. Though they might have to wait until next season.. Ill take a few more layers and swap out into them at the stand this weekend.

As for time, looks like I will be heading out at least an hour earlier to get to the stand before legal!

Thanks again, will let you know how I fair. Rain predicted Friday so that might write that day off

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

Some good advice here. If you arrive at your spot all sweated-up you're beat if you don't have a dry change of clothes. Sitting in damp sweaty clothes will chill you to the bone in no time. I sweat like a pig, so it took me a few years to finally figure out a good system when I was hunting areas that involved a 25 min walk into my spot. I'd leave the truck in work pants with a polypro long underwear and shirt top. One light wool sweater on top. Orange ballcap and super thin orange vest. I'd usually be soaked by the time I'd get to the stand. First thing I'd do is strip to bare gitch and socks. I'd carry everything in a canoe tump pack. Out came the roll of paper towel. I'd dry all the sweat off my body, esp. my scalp. Used paper towel goes into a plastic bag. First thing on was Ice Breaker merino wool long gitch and top. Next is a light wool sweater and Big Bill thick wool pants. Then the fleece neck warmer and wool orange hat. Next goes another wool sweater and a gortex light shell over it. I wouldn't do the zipper up yet. Now I'd get comfy in the stand and take my wool hat off for about the first twenty mins. When I start to chill then I'd zip up my jacket and put my hat back on. The absolute essential is either a light sleeping bag or a heavy wool blanket. I'd drape this over my legs from my waist down. This makes a huge difference in keeping you warm. I swear by wool to breathe. Nothing is warmer. The 280 weight IceBreaker merino is tough to beat. I could sit all day like this and be toasty warm, even with snow on the ground. I walk in the dark with a Petzel head lamp to make sure I'm in my spot about 1/2 hour before legal. I always bring a big thermos of hot tea and a couple of peanut butter and honey sandwiches with some granola bars. Hunt in ground blinds. It's much warmer than going up a tree. I'd be very leery of trusting an old wooden stand. Not worth getting paralyzed falling out of it. All the crap about cover scents is totally overrated. Yes, wind direction comes in to play but the most important thing to learn is to sit absolutely still and you'll fill your tag. I've sat with friends before and was horrified at how much they fidgeted and moved the entire time we were sitting (playing with phone, digging stuff out of their pockets, quickly moving their heads, coughing, smoking, etc. ). They couldn't sit still for more than two minutes and they wondered why they weren't seeing many deer! You will not be capable of sitting still if you're not comfy and warm.

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Do you think one is less noticeable while widgeting above the deer eye sight (20ft up in the tree) ?

Lots of good advice here. I am a big fan of what mother nature offers for warmth. Like everyone has said go in lightly dressed than layer up. A few have mentioned quality merino wool layers. Good merino works well but there are better wools out there. Alpaca wool out performs even the best merino wool in warmth for weight and moisture wicking plus it is softer (softer even than cashmere). A little more $$ but worth it. Sometimes hard to find though - i have gotten most of mine at rural fall fair booths over the years. Bison wool is even better, not quite as soft as alpaca but crazy warm - even harder to find and $$$$.

Combine the wool with some high loft goose down and a water proof outer layer and you are good for anything that Ontario deer country can throw at you right to the end of archery season. The water proof layer is the only thing where synthetics excel. Good quality Gore-Tex or Dermizax shells.

Footwear again i go bison or alpaca on the socks and lately am using Muck Arctic Pro boots. Baffin Titans are good too - had a pair but was maybe a little too far down the whiskey trail one time ice fishing and the auger got the better of them.

For the hands i use a pair of oversize Outdoor Research Mitts and wear a thin pair of gloves underneath. Something comes in i slip the mitt off and the thin glove gives me enough time to shoot before my hands get numb.

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Originally Posted by newbiehunter

Do you think one is less noticeable while widgeting above the deer eye sight (20ft up in the tree) ?

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The higher you go the more you can move. Too high though and shooting angles can become rather tricky plus if there is any wind the damn tree starts to sway and holding a steady point of aim can be tricky - athough the higher the angle the easier it becomes to find your arrow after the shot. Best just to sit still.