Need some help with treestand placement

Ok, let me start off by saying that I am new to bowhunting and hunting in general, but am eagerly waiting and practicing for deer season to come around. I've been lucky enough to have a friend let me hunt on his property (roughly 60 acres of woods) but I am at a loss as to where to put my 20' hang- on stand. I'll give a short description of the property and see what y'all think about where would be the best place to put it.

There is a main road going E to W on the top half of the property, and that's where the entrance is to the land. The house is sort of on a small peninsula, with a big lake in the W part of the property, and there are small runoffs from the lake on both sides of the house for only about 20 yds., making it on a peninsula, sorta. The house sits on flat land, but the sides of it makes it seem like the house is sitting on a plateau, and the sides are about a 45 degree angle. Most of this is dense but few patches of it are open, making it available for bowhunting.

That being said, there is a very open spot of land about 100 yds. from the lake with a small stream running through it, and would be perfect for a deer to walk through I would think. This land is still slightly sloping though, but easy to walk on. Any ideas on where would be the best place to put up my stand given my situation? Thanks in advance, I know this is a long post.

 

I'd look for spots off of game trails and the opening near the stream sounds good too.

 

Walk around the field and see where the deer trails are. Also look for scrapes, rubbings and other signs that deer might be in the area. I would place my stand in the tree line giving you a good view of the field and stream. You can also bait the area with corn and other things to get the deer coming. Once they realize the food is there they should keep coming back. But make sure you dont shoot anything while they are actively eating. Its against the law here in NC.

 

you will definitely wanna set up near an often used trail......a place where they funnel in is good too. getting a trail cam is a good idea...that way you can see where they are coming into, and you'll have a good idea for a spot. honestly tho....especially for bow season and a couple weeks into gun season....you may want 2 or 3 stands....cause if you get busted a one of them....sometimes, the deer will pick another way to come in.

 

Thanks to all for the help, really appreciate it. About what time of year should I be looking for scrapes and droppings? Also, what time of year do you think I should have my salt lick and corn out there?

 

start looking for scrapes and such around the end of august........it'll all be alot more prevalent then. as for the corn and such.....start with that now to keep them coming into the area. thats what im doing here behind my house......and we have at least 2 bucks coming around too.(the antlers are gone obviously now...but you can tell by the knots on the head)

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&q=smithfield%20lake%2023430&aql=&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wlf

There's an aerial view, zoom in and the house at the end of Hilltop lane is where I will be hunting from. The house at the end of hilltop lane is where we will be hunting from. Mabye this will give a different perspective... Thanks again!

EDIT: Link fixed again.

 

Sounds good Will, thank you! Any recommendations on feed and on styles of feeders?

 

i honestly wouldnt waste my time on a feeder. just get some 40 or 50 pound bags of corn and spread it out all over......dont pile it up. also....put out some trophy rocks and some mineral blocks. another thing i will do.........put about 20 lbs of corn in one spot and drip some buck jam all over it........they'll eat the livin hell outta it.

 

Awesome, thanks again man. Now would I do this in any specific area?

 

do it in the few areas where you will set up.....cause they get used to the area and will keep coming back.