Trying not to get busted this year

[russellc]

Anybody ever use night vision or infrared to get to their bow stands in the morning and leave their stands at night?

I was busted one year by a large buck under the feeder while I was getting in my stand. I had no idea he was there until I watched my game cam of me walking past the feeder to my stand and the buck was looking right at me from 10 yards away.

[BTLowry]

I guess if you can afford it or already have it you could benefit from it

I would not think a deer would let you get that close even in the dark out in the open. I nearly stepped on a deer in a thicket headed to a stand on public land once, pretty sure if I had not been scared speechless when it jumped up i would have screamed like a little school girl and anybody who had been within hearing would have been telling all of their friends there was a mountain lion out there

[unclefish]

Funny you mention this. Where we elk hunt we have elk in the alfalfa right by the house all night til daybreak. We need to be able to see which way they leave the field early in the morning.

This year we are bringing a Gen1 Night vision that my cousin won in a raffle. But from what I understand the Gen1's are not that good. Maybe see about 100 yards tops.

The Gen2's and whatever they have now are much better but more $. I don't know alot about them but its worth looking into.

[12thman]

the problem is if the deer is already there you are not going to be able to get to your stand even if you know the deer is there. I would just wait for the deer to clear the area then go ahead and get in the blind and hope they return after daylight. The only other option is to pick another stand to hunt that day and slip out quietly. My problem is getting out of the stand after dark with deer still at the feeder. I usually just try to make some noise to get them to leave before moving out.

[boy wonder]

Deer are awfully bold in the dark of night. The night vision would be cool, if they would just come down in price.

[Aggiebush]

I would just try to find a better way to walk into my stand, where I come from opposite of the feeder. I try to place my stands so that I don't have to go anywhere near the feeder while walking to them.

[sunsethunter]

the problem is if the deer is already there you are not going to be able to get to your stand even if you know the deer is there. I would just wait for the deer to clear the area then go ahead and get in the blind and hope they return after daylight. The only other option is to pick another stand to hunt that day and slip out quietly. My problem is getting out of the stand after dark with deer still at the feeder. I usually just try to make some noise to get them to leave before moving out.

That's my problem as well! Last year I resorted to picking acorns off of the tree I was sitting in and tossing them at a young buck that was 8 yards away. I even hit him a couple times, but he wouldn't budge. So, I climbed down and he just stood there and looked at me for about two minutes before calmly walking away!

[unclefish]

You can plant some type of screening plant like sudan sorghum or egyptian wheat to screen your movement to and from your stand.

[russellc]

I cant believe that one of you stood 8 yards from a buck in daylight and he didn't freak out and run. You must be able to hand feed your deer. ha.

What I have found is a yukon night vision goggles that can see up to 650ft in the dark. The price is $450.00. I don't remember what the zoom was on this optic but the reviews were promissing.

Yes I can take a different path to my feeders. I know it wouldn't be benificial to have these if I am going to walk by the feeder anyways. I just think it would be nice to know if deer were around so I could re route how I get to my stand or just try and wait it out until they leave. I may even be able to take a shot from the ground if it gets day light and they are still eating.

[Reaper]

I think these are better (read cheaper) options:

leave earlier to get to your stand
or
change your feed time to later
or
pick a new route

[Krivoman]

I would do 3 things. One, Move your feeder to about 5 after shooting light. That way he comes a tad later. 2, have a trail cam and figure out the exact time he is showing up and beat him by and hour or so to the blind, 3, have someone drop you off quickly without much stopping in the dark. Deer can handle a truck driving by in the dark if it looks normal. meaning, lights on etc. If it is no lights on, it might spook them. Most deer will move off a few yards and watch you go buy.... good luck.