re: What time you boys start your evening hunts

About 2 hours after dark, thats when their eyes shine the best....Nah, about 5 for me.

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I can't sit in the same spot that long. Especially not in an uncomfortable arse stand.

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I can understand that! Lots of times and places here in the mountains, a classic "stand" isn't practical or necessary. A stand exists only to get your scent above the ground, improve visibility, and hide yourself from deer (who don't look up that often). When you're hunting on the side of a mountain, a classic stand isn't that beneficial on any of those counts. I've been in tree stands here and had deer come out ABOVE me and actually be looking down at me in my tree stand. I often build a three corner ground blind out of sticks, downed tree limbs, and other natural stuff. I build this ground blind against a big tree with the tree as my backrest. I'll take one of those "hot seats" to keep my butt dry and warm and I'll rearrange the ground litter to make myself comfortable as possible. And some of the best naps I've ever had were on the ground here with the sun keeping me warm whilst it's 20 degrees outside. This has worked well for me for years. Now when I'm in Southeast Alabama where the land is relatively "flat", I'm more comfortable and confident in using a climber or permanent stand.

Usually get out about 2:00. Hunt till the beer runs out

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I can do that for a while. Especially if I get up move a little ways and reposition myself every few hours.

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75 yards is a longggg shot in the Appalachian Mountains. I've learned to make myself as comfortable as possible (and that mainly means staying warm), close my eyes, and hunt with my ears. You'll be surprised at what you can hear when you do that. And a deer walking or sneaking through our dry woods and leaves is easy to hear within that 75 yards. We don't have any armadillos to keep your blood pressure up while they root around in the leaves. Now if the ground is wet, you better not depend on your ears. The tree rats and boomers will definitely keep your hearing radar on high alert, though...