Help me with my stand location (Pic)

[GVSUKUSH]

40 acres, Southwestern Michigan.

Green Lines-Ridges

The area marked as Hill is a very steep field, uphill to the east (right), two houses directly to the south of the field.

The area labled as thick ridges is Autumn olive with a few large oaks and various other hardwoods. VERY thick, but there are run ways everywhere. Across the road on the bottom left corner (SW) is the Grand River and very gnarly, thick, river bottom that is heavily pressured. Neighbors have told me that the deer cross the road there on to the property that I'm hunting.

The far eastern portion of the property is also a ridge that is very thick and has runways running through it like you wouldn't believe. Further east of that is big woods for about a half a mile or so. There is a thick row of trees extending to the north across the road that has a heavily traveled runway as well.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/520/Deer_Hunt1.JPG

There seems to be pretty good pressure from hunters on small tracts of land to keep the deer moving, but I don't know if I should set up in the thick stuff, or try to hit them moving through the field, or walking down the windrow on the northeast corner of the propety adjacent to the east/west road. I've only been able to scout it on my lunch hour, I recieved permission after daylight savings time so I'm not able to hit it after work. The arrows indicated how I expect the deer to travel. I'll be hunting out of a doghouse blind.

I'm used to hunting the north woods, so I guess I'm looking for some advice from you southern michigan guys used to hunting smaller plots. Should I stick to the funnels, field, thick woodlot, etc. etc.

My head is spinning trying to pick a spot to set up, thank's to anyone who can lend some advice.

Kush

[STEINFISHSKI]

Your best bet would be to enlist another hunter (pick me;)) thereby covering twice as much terrain.:lol: Good luck on your hunt Steve.

[No.4shot]

Looks like a nice chunk of land. I would set up two or three blinds myself because if one ends up not being productive you can move. but I myself would try the funnels first. You will see more deer...but your larger bucks will be in the thicker cover.

how did you run across that plot of land?

[GVSUKUSH]

Looks like a nice chunk of land. I would set up two or three blinds myself because if one ends up not being productive you can move. but I myself would try the funnels first. You will see more deer...but your larger bucks will be in the thicker cover.

how did you run across that plot of land?

I'm thinking the I'll start off near the far easern edge of the fence line (it's about 20 yards wide with brambles, one big runway right through the stuff), and then move to the thick ridge for the rest of the day. I work in the township, and I just happened to meet the right people and ask the right questions. :)

[Rat Fink]

I like to see alot of deer, in range or not. I also like open areas. If you are comfortable at shooting long distance set up on the High ground with the wind in your face or quartering you looking over as much terrain as you can. Try to look over areas where deer will cross from one batch of cover to another and give you a shot opportunity. I shoot an .06 and I will not hesitate to take a 300 yd. shot if the conditions are right. I hunt a scenario very similar to what you have laid out here and have had alot of success with how I described the setup. If you dont feel comfortable with long shots then set up in the brushy stuff where deer will have to break from one piece of cover to another preferably on the edge of a bedding area. Looks like you have a good setup there Steve.

[Cherokee]

Steve:

Find a funnel(s) and flip a coin if you can't decide which one...then stick with it...you'll be amazed at the number of deer you'll see in Ada!!!

That edge between the low thick on the west and the ridge in the middle looks interesting to me....

[GVSUKUSH]

Steve:

Find a funnel(s) and flip a coin if you can't decide which one...then stick with it...you'll be amazed at the number of deer you'll see in Ada!!!

That edge between the low thick on the west and the ridge in the middle looks interesting to me....

Just below the word Ridges are two green lines, between those lines is a ravine. I need to scout that area a little more, and the area that is marked as "thick low" near the abandoned home and barn.

Dustin,

I'd prefer to sit in an open area near a funnel. All of the spots that I scouted today have a ton of deer sign, I'd just have to set up in their "living room" so to speak in order to get a shot, and I don't want to do that. The sight distances in the thick stuff is a matter of 10 yards or so. I'd like to ambush them in between covers, which I think can be done with the wind in my favor as well.

[Rat Fink]

Sounds like you got it figured out Steve. I forgot you probably have to shoot a Shotgun or Muzzleloader so my long range sniper idea wouldnt work for you. I would definately check out that ravine area and setup at the head of the travel corridor. Do you have sole access to this piece? If so sacrifice a half day this weekend and construct a couple brush blinds incase the wind is not from where you expect it. I am PRAYING for a W wind but it looks like it will be a E up here for opener. One thing I have learned is to ALWAYS have a spot setup for an E or NE wind. It has saved me a few times and put some deer on the table.

[GVSUKUSH]

Sounds like you got it figured out Steve. I forgot you probably have to shoot a Shotgun or Muzzleloader so my long range sniper idea wouldnt work for you. I would definately check out that ravine area and setup at the head of the travel corridor. Do you have sole access to this piece? If so sacrifice a half day this weekend and construct a couple brush blinds incase the wind is not from where you expect it. I am PRAYING for a W wind but it looks like it will be a E up here for opener. One thing I have learned is to ALWAYS have a spot setup for an E or NE wind. It has saved me a few times and put some deer on the table.

I most likely have sole access, I guess the neighbor has had an open invitation to hunt it for a couple of years but he usually goes up north for the opener, that's one of my objectives is to get in contact with him and see where/if he is hunting.

Most likely I'll have a shotgun, smooth bore with rifled choke tube OR if I get to the range with a buddies muzzleloader I'll use that. For the open field/edges I have the doghouse blind, for the brush I don't think I'll need one, it's so damned thick they'll have to be on top of me to see me :lol: I have my options....