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Bowhunting Stand Locations to Avoid
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9/1/2010
No matter how good these bowhunting stand locations might seem, don't get sucked into their trap.
by Mike Strandlund
Ravine Crossings
This tempting location probably claims more victims than nearly all the others combined. Even experienced hunters can fall for its raw appeal.
Here's how this site casts its spell: You're scouting for a stand that will work during the rut. One good choice is a funnel between two bedding areas used by does, so you look for just such a perfect buck trap. In rough country, bedding areas are typically on points and short ridges overlooking large ravines or valleys. They're predictable sanctuaries and will show heavy signs of bedding activity everywhere they're found.
When crossing the ravine to check out the points on the other side, you'll invariably notice some tremendous trails crossing the bottom. They cut deeply into the soft earth where several trails come together to cross the ditch. Wow! A mother lode of sign! At first glance it appears to be a great funnel between two bedding areas, made even better by the fact that you can sneak up the ditch to get to the stand. They'll never know what hit them.
You've just stepped into the snare that's going to make you miserable and ruin what could have been a great area. It's darned tough to walk past such an obviously-attractive location without spending a half hour looking for the perfect tree to place a stand. But, hold your horses for a minute. What's going to happen when the wind blows, or worse yet, when it gusts? Your scent is going to wash all over that ravine until every deer within a quarter-mile radius knows you're there. That's not going to help them feel very relaxed and comfortable around home, is it?
From the number of stands I've seen in ravines while I'm scouting, it would appear that many bowhunters fall victim to the tremendous sign found in these places. Remember this rule of thumb: If the spot you are considering is protected from the direct flow of the wind by features of the terrain, it is not a dependable spot, regardless of how much sign you find. There are definitely better places to hunt the deer that made that tempting sign. The ravine crossing is a seductive spot, but it's one you should walk past.
