Picking the perfect stand location can be confusing for even the educated hunter. On top of that, is arranging the site in a way that offers the best shot opportunity.
For hunters and fishermen, there is no final word on how things are to be done. Opinions can vary widely from person to person. While one hunter believes it's best to sit behind a tree, the next prefers to sit in front. The truth is, there is less right and wrong in hunting, and more successful and unsuccessful. The way someone chooses to hunt or fish may be night and day from another’s style. But in the end, they both prove to work. I've been asked what makes me an authority? I have also been told that what I have informed people to do is wrong.
As for the authority question, it comes down to my ability to understand how I have done things right. I then must be able to convey this information in a written format that explains why. I write about how I do things and understand there are other ways. My style of hunting just may not be conducive to another format.
When speaking of style, as long as the job gets done, right and wrong is arbitrary. This simply means, that under one given situation, there may be several ways of accomplishing the task. For instance, when using a long bow opposed to a compound. The distance at which you set up from a game trail may differ by several yards. This is due to most hunters ability to shoot accurately at longer distances using modern equipment. The tactic may still work, but it may need a little tweaking to suit your style.
It's understood that to be regularly successful, you must place your stand on utilized trail systems. To pick a stand site, one must first understand that as the season progresses, the stand location may become better or worse depending on a range of variables. The three most common are food, courtship, and pressure. Another factor is that morning and evening sets may be separated by great distances.
In the early and late stages of season, food tends to be the focus of the local deer herd. I prefer to set up closer to the food in the evening. This will give you a little more time to get to the stand if you happen to be a bit late. The reason for this is that deer tend to move later in the evening. They prefer to use darker conditions to transition for safety purposes. I like to do the opposite of this for a morning set. I try to get close to a known bedding area, which will also lend a little time for repeated slaps of the snooze button. I stack the cards in my favor by choosing a spot where several trails either intersect or merge into a single, heavily utilized trail.
Stand sets based on food work equally as well for bucks and does during the early and late stages of the season, but as the rut approaches, bucks will begin to change their routine. This is where most hunters make their mistake. They will continue to hunt the trails with the most sign. Bucks at this point are focusing on marking territory. I use the sign left behind the previous season to anticipate where my pre-rut sets will go. As the rut progresses, the bucks may follow does to and from the feeding area, but the most consistent and predictable movement will be on the downwind sides of feeding and bedding areas. I base these sets on anticipated wind directions, and only use them when the wind is right. If hunting for does, stick with the food as their routine rarely changes. The only time they change routine is during the lock-down phase of the rut. This phase only last a few days, and not all female deer lock down at the same time.
Pressure created by yourself or other hunters can also cause changes in deer movement patterns. This change in movement should dictate where you decide to hunt. Deer that avoid you may choose to seek thicker transition cover. While deer avoiding another hunter may choose to cross the property line to your side. Be aware of movement changes due to pressure. You may then alter your stand site, to be more productive. Subtle changes to your stand site, can make all the difference. There is a lot to know about setup, so I will save that for a future column.

First Chenango River float
I finally took a float trip down the Chenango, and this is the latest I have ever had to wait until conditions were safe. I launched from the Norwich High School and got out at the Halfway House Bridge. There were three safety hazards encountered. I recommend hugging the left side bank just after Hosbach Trail. Then move immediately to the right side to avoid log jams. Approach the bend at the sewage treatment plant on the right side to avoid a snag. Take the right channel approximately 150 yards past the treatment bend as the left channel is completely blocked. I recommend getting out of the boat at the next gravel bar. It's on the left side, and there is very little room to float between the bar and a large snag. The rest was smooth sailing.
Good wishes and be safe out there.

Questions or comments about this article may be emailed to Sheldon at sheldonsoutdoorbusiness@hotmail.com.