ADK deer tips

[stoneam2006]

Hi all I was reading another post and came across a bunch of guys who hunt big woods. I have hunted the ADK woods for about 4 years now maybe 2-3 weekends a year. I tend to go up for muzzle loading season so I don't have to limit my tag to a buck only. I am not afraid to put some serious miles under my boots as I am still young as is my hunting buddy.(don't know if that will still be true when I have to drag it out). I've never had any luck haven't even jumped one. I had a doe come in durring bow season but that's it and she never came close enough. I always hunt the same blocks and am pretty familiar with the woods now. Last year we put roughly 6 miles between us and trucks and never saw squat. But when we are walking out we always see them on the camps yards. Ik they are comming from the woods but can't ever seem to cut them off in woods. What am I doing wrong. Any tips from you experienced adk hunters? I'm looking forward to going back up this fall and would like to actually be able to down my first big woods deer. Thanks in advance.

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[Doc]

I'm looking forward to this discussion. I've never hunted the Adirondacks and probably never will, but there is some level of authenticity and heritage in deer hunting that kind of matured deer woods. It is something that I have always thought represented a more colonial version of hunting that our forefathers were forced to do. We have some quite large versions of big-woods hunting down here in western NY, but it is no where in the same league of challenge that the Adirondacks is.

[NFA-ADK]

Scouting if possible will increase your odds.  While I do not get to scout that often it is a big part of successful ADK hunters.

 

6 miles in is a long hike, how much area did you cover after you get into the 6 mile area?  6 in and 6 out is a long day.  Sometimes you are better off setting up a remote base camp to eliminate that long of a hike every time and staying a few days minimum.  This will allow more time to check the area.  My average stalk is anywhere from a mile to about 3 miles for the day depending on how many deer are in the area.  More deer causes me to move much slower out of fear of being seen. 

 

I did a 7 mile in hike and it kicked my but!!!  I was not able to cover the area like I usually do from exhaustion. 

 

Send me a pm with the exact area you hunt and I might be able to help you pin point some "preferred" area's the deer tend to use more.  Food is a good indication of deer in the area.  If you are not seeing deer hitting food sources you might want to check another area.  Some area's are void of deer more than others, key in on the ones with deer makes your sightings much better and a hell of a lot more fun. 

 

One thing about deep ADK woods that has helped me is finding a good food source but this is not a simple task as food sources can vary from area and time of year. 

 

Doe are another key ingredient to finding bucks, they want to get a girl even if it is only for a few days!  When rut is on bucks will abandon their core area to chase doe and tend to any doe that is close to breading.  Pre-rut will see them patrolling the doe to see if any are in heat and how many are in the area. 

 

Mature bucks tend to like high places with a good view and good scent that rises to let them know about any predators.  Find valleys that connect high peaks for early season and as the cold and rut progresses look for them near the doe as this is the main driving force during peak rut.  During "lockdown" when bucks are tending doe it is feast or famine.  If you have doe you will have bucks.  After rut is over the bucks will key in on food again. 

 

Patience, persistence.  A drive to accomplish what your goal is.  Attention to detail is critical.  Become an expert shot with any weapon you use knowing where to aim from 5 ft out to as far as you can shoot.  (For me that is 5 ft to less than 80 yards due to cover.) 

 

Topo and satellite maps are great to find pinch points, connecting valleys and sometimes even cover and food sources. 

 

Another thing is this.  ADK in many area's is deep woods just by stepping off the dirt road.  Do not feel like you have to go back a few miles to get your deer.  In area's with high human traffic and activity I have found that most action is about a half mile for bucks yet doe do not seem to be upset by human activity as bucks do. 

 

Cover some area you think might be good with a fine tooth comb!  I tend to look more for deer than sign when hunting and when scouting I will look more for sign then actual deer.  Are the tips of plants chewed off?  Any rubs or scrapes.  And food sources along with water and easy water crossings.  Lake edges tend to attract deer and they are expert swimmers that can swim more than 7 miles with no problem so not many lakes are a big barrier.  Big lakes tend to have a area of blow down that deer love usually on the windy side where all the trees fall.

 

Become an expert tracker, the story told in the tracks can not only tell you the type of deer(male/female) it can tell you the area he came from and where he is going and if lucky you can plot to ambush or stalk them.  You can determine if he is a swamp buck or a high ridge deer when you really get good at it.  I am not their, yet!

 

One thing is for sure your task of getting a buck is a big one that many give up on after a few failed attempts.  When and if you finally do it is and accomplishment like no other, especially when you plan it out and everything comes together. 

 

PS: If you do get one you might be addicted to hunting deer for the rest of your life.  While my first in 2000 did not set me on that path the one in 2010 sure did.  The misses I had in between 2000 and 2010 drove me crazy and I was determined to connect with a brute.  Another reason I say to know your weapons and become a expert woodsman. 

 

 

Hello my name is Jeff and I am addicted to hunting ADK whitetails.  But any whitetail gets my blood pumping!!!

 

[NFA-ADK]

Doc you have an open invite to my ADK camp anytime you want!!!  Wall tent with wood burning stove!  What bliss! 

[Culvercreek hunt club]

6 days on the wrong 1,000 acres falls far short of the right hour on the right acre. Google Earth, topo maps and boots on the ground scouting. That time of year it is identifying food sources, bedding areas and travel corridors. You might be further ahead to skip the bow season for the most part and spend that time scouting the area. (plus I thin early bear may be open so you can carry a gun and hunt while scouting). I have spent a lot of time in the ADKs hunting and it can be a very lonely place for the deer hunter.

[Five Seasons]

My grandparents have had a place outside old forge near Raquet for decades. We've never hunted it even though the state land stretches forever. Part of it has to do with accessibility, but mostly it's that 8f and 7j are just loaded with big corn and apple fed deer and they're there up north but just not as many. It's a cool woods though. Awesome sights and smells.

Been up a few times in the fall with the wife and I chat with the hunters who have camps there. Generally they harvest some very small bucks and doe. Again, the deer and big guys are there so don't be discouraged... They're just spread out and the easy access areas get some decent pressure.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Belo

[A Sportsman]

Great tips guys. Discussions on this type of hunting are my favorite on the forum.

As stated 6 miles in is a lot. My treks are similar to NFA's (1-3), yet I am in catskills high peaks. If you are covering that type of ground without covering more than a couple of sets of tracks, my advice would be to hunt a different section of the 'Dacs. I didn't connect with a deer for my first 9 or 10 yrs. But once I got my first, the whole situation changed. The next 10 years were awesome.about a deer per year. Its like success be-getts success. Hunting big woods is as mental as it is physical. Stay confident and when it comes to sign, believe what your eyes see. No sign no deer. StiLl hunting are area void of sign is a waste of your time.

[stoneam2006]

I hunt the state land around big moose I'm not afraid to say in open as its huge....the 6 mile was a big.big circle up over a mt and back down back side. I do tend to use Arial maps a bunch I actually harvested my 8 point outta ASP that way this past fall. Works great I usually find great deer signs but that's it I've even tried sitting all afternoon in one spot to try and get them walking from a-b and nothing. Scouting is impossible as I use all my vac tike to actually hunt. Love the tips keep them commin

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[Five Seasons]

Some stories I've heard from the old timers is that the daks used to be "the place" to hunt and through hunting pressure and believe it or not conservation it began to falter. As many of you know some of the best things you can do for the deer woods is clear cut. Well this land is now all forever wild and there's little undergrowth for forage. Kind of interesting. You're not even allowed to cut up a tree that has fallen on its own. And of course no logging.

One day I intend to hunt it as it has always seemed like killing a deer in the untouched mountains with a recurve would be the purest form of hunting.

[Doewhacker]

Cover ground until you find sign then slow down. 1 mile or 6 I never know where I'll end up until the end. I go where the sign and wind takes me. I covered a whole lot of miles last year and loved every second, I get bored sitting in a stand.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Some stories I've heard from the old timers is that the daks used to be "the place" to hunt and through hunting pressure and believe it or not conservation it began to falter. As many of you know some of the best things you can do for the deer woods is clear cut. Well this land is now all forever wild and there's little undergrowth for forage. Kind of interesting. You're not even allowed to cut up a tree that has fallen on its own. And of course no logging. One day I intend to hunt it as it has always seemed like killing a deer in the untouched mountains with a recurve would be the purest form of hunting.

Lots of forage. It is just 50' up. Lol. Would be great if NY ever decides to stock giraffes lol

[nyantler]

The ADK's, especially the big woods, is a whole different animal... the deer are not use to human contact so they will not tolerate anything foreign to them... bucks and does can hear, smell and see you long before you see them if you aren't very conscious of what you're doing. Slow is usually your best friend in the big woods... making as little noise as possible. Playing the wind is imperative... when a deer pegs you in the big woods, he doesn't just escape to a nearby thicket... he will put as much distance between you and him as possible could be two mountains away before he stops. Hunting on snow is always your best bet... traveling until you find a track and then following it... snow is quieter and also lets you know that there is at least a deer where you are hunting... it takes a long time to get the knack of hunting the big woods of the ADK's.. but it is very rewarding to take a buck there. Good Luck

[stoneam2006]

Snow is a very good point.....I've never had the opportunity to hunt up there in snow would love to....slow I'd probably my biggest downfall I seem to cover a lot of ground to fast....now it seems the higher up I go in elevation the worse the deer sign gets is that normall or not. I have made it to a few nice "shelfs" covers in deer tracks and signs but as I get up higher on ridgelines and whatnot seems to be less sign. Another ? For you all is the land I hunt has many ponds and swamps deep in. Is that a good place to check out daily on my way thru or not. I sat above a beaver pond for quite awhile last year expecting to see something as there were deer trails all around it but nothing ever showed. Was it a right spot wrong time scenario or do the deer tend to water at night up there. Never hunted anywhere with a pond that's not human visited....

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[nyantler]

Snow is a very good point.....I've never had the opportunity to hunt up there in snow would love to....slow I'd probably my biggest downfall I seem to cover a lot of ground to fast....now it seems the higher up I go in elevation the worse the deer sign gets is that normall or not. I have made it to a few nice "shelfs" covers in deer tracks and signs but as I get up higher on ridgelines and whatnot seems to be less sign. Another ? For you all is the land I hunt has many ponds and swamps deep in. Is that a good place to check out daily on my way thru or not. I sat above a beaver pond for quite awhile last year expecting to see something as there were deer trails all around it but nothing ever showed. Was it a right spot wrong time scenario or do the deer tend to water at night up there. Never hunted anywhere with a pond that's not human visited.... Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

One thing very different about ADK deer is that they are not as easy to pattern... their range is usually very vast. They seldom rely on the same watering spot, food source or even bedding area... etc. I have found that bucks will stay high early season and come down off the hills and mountains when the rut starts to kick in... I like to hunt streams, creeks and river edges or even beaver flows when I can. I have always had better deer sign there... especially if the waterway passes through a swampy, marshy area or through a dark hemlock bog. Caught many a buck laying on a high spot in those dark wet hemlock woods.

Put the time into an area to learn as much about it as you can. Take note of where you are seeing the most activity and what is different about that area than the rest of the woods. That difference could be the key to finding deer in similar areas.

[stoneam2006]

Yea the swampy beaver pond I had hunted there was always full of sign every year. So if I get you coerctly maybe instead of directly watching the pond o should be up a bit on the hills and check that out....I haven't done that normally just walk in and sit the edge of it. That's a new idea for next year definitely....

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[ncountry]

One difference from the farmland deer that I hunt is that they seem to like hills and ridges sometimes more than the swamps. I don't hunt the mountainous part of the ADKs, but the northern foothills sections.

Not skylined , but just over the edge. If I am hunting around home I am usually set up next to or in a swamp that's where all the nice bucks are. When I started hunting the "big woods" I did the same. It worked , but after a few years I discovered that I was walking over  the better spots.

[nyantler]

Yea the swampy beaver pond I had hunted there was always full of sign every year. So if I get you coerctly maybe instead of directly watching the pond o should be up a bit on the hills and check that out....I haven't done that normally just walk in and sit the edge of it. That's a new idea for next year definitely.... Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

Set up or walk the stream leading to the pond

[A Sportsman]

When I hunt big woods, I find that there are two main variables that will dictate whether or not the hunting is good for me.  Number 1 is the walking conditions.  A perfectly still day without any breeze or precipitation is not good.  The other major factor is what the deer are doing.  Often for us, opening week in the catskills, the bucks are with a doe in that lock-down mode.  Where they are really just lying around in a small area and not moving much at all.  And the rest of the does and fawns are often laying around in groups, not moving much either.  This can be tough.  Espeicailly if we don;t have the walking conditions. Sitting is just not going to be effective at all when they are like this. Using the sign and whatever deer sightings we have in our camp,  I usually try to use the first couple of days of the hunt to develop an idea of what the deer are doing and what areas seem to be hot. 

 

One other quick point, in the big woods, with minimal pressure compared to other areas, one would think that the significance of opening day isn;t quite so  much.  And it probably isn;t (compared to high pressure areas).  However, I've noticed that opening days do in fact make a difference.  We seem to see more deer on their feet, on the opener.  Even though we cover a lot of ground, and don;t even hunt the same areas every day, I think our scent gets into the woods and as bucks are making their rounds at night through their home range, they are catching that scent and they become less careless.  For what its worth.

 

I've never posted a photo on this site, even though I;ve been yapping for a couple of years.  I;m not much of an internet person.  In fact this is the only hunting site i visit.  But here are a couple of the bigger big woods catskill bucks I still hunted...

 

 

[A Sportsman]

I know I'm not the best looking guy in the world, but I didn't think I was so ugly I would kill the thread by posting a picture. Guess ill go back to being a shadow...

[stoneam2006]

Lol.....just got up I work nights....those are some awesome deer....that's second buck looks massive...great deer I'd love to get s glimpse of something like that in the bigwoods. Thanks everybody for tips am always down to learn something new as I am still young.

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[NFA-ADK]

NO, A Sportsman!  STAY!  Please!  Not a dead post just too much for me to finish last night.  I love these post and reference them throughout the year!  So much great info from so many sources!  I usually use up all my LIKES on these post.  THis is where I stopped last night. 

 

 

 

IF no sign is found during rifle season, the first snow I cover at least 5 miles to find fresh tracks, if I am lucky enough to have snow.  I base my next move on the tracks I find.  No big bucks and I move on to another area unless I find many doe, never happened in the ADK deep woods yet.  Town area's are different then deep woods and I have found much higher concentration of deer in "rural" ADK woods.  Da open area hello!  To bad deep woods are devoid of this habitat!

One thing out of all others is working in your boots!  I cover ground when no sign is present so I can understand hiking 6 miles in a big circle.  That is how I like to cover an area.  Your loop IF studied properly (Snow is huge in this aspect) will show any trails or buck sign that is present but you need a very close inspection if no snow is present.  No snow, then only cover 3 miles and inspect everything for deer sign like "A Sportsman" said no sign, no deer. 

You are just north of where I hunt.  Go to the area's you know of and hike in a half mile then start your scouting.  If you saw no sign on the last 6 mile loop then do a new area.  Not only will this help with finding deer it will help you put the bigger picture together.  Understanding buck beds, why doe and buck inhabit different area's.  How doe stay in one area for the most part and bucks will travel and travel to find a hot doe.  Picking a good steady food source, this is one aspect I find the hardest.  Understanding why deer like this area vs the one next to it.  If you can, take the family "camping" in your hunting area and scout the heck out of it!!!  Great way to satisfy everyone if they like that stuff, can’t hurt to try!!!

The other thing is use some calls!  But don't move for at least a half hour after you call, this will help if you think deer are present yet not moving.
If you can, scouting while snow is still on the ground within the next month, this will show where deer like to travel.

One reason I like to hunt more than 4 or even 7 days is sometimes it takes me that long to figure out the area and where the deer are, then I have to go home.  With 2 weeks I can spend the first few days basically speed scouting and then try to come up with a game plan to get the best results of an area.  This is a great way to get info quickly yet snow makes this process much faster and helps with patterning doe and bucks.

One thing I notice is doe tend to stay in the same area's.  The core area seem to be less than 2 mile radius when adult doe are present, younger doe tend to travel slightly more up to 5 miles.  Bucks, after they mature to 1.5 or older tend to leave the doe herd and find a new home range.  They can cover some ground as in miles and usually have much larger areas.  The older I get the more I like to chase or stick around the doe, just seems like less travel at times. 

Like NY Antler said check the streams, valleys and water edges deer tend to use these area's to forage and many deer use this as a travel corridor.  When coming to a ledge or ridge be careful and glass the area for bedded deer.  Again they like those ledges to see and smell.  Wind should dictate how you enter a area and hunt it.  Do as much as possible to eliminate scent.

Clear calm days suck for still hunting IMO.  Any movement or snap of a twig gives you and your game up and can ruin a area.  So true Sportsman!  If  you have to hunt on these days it is a good time to sit and try calling.  Bad weather, rain, slight wind or snow are what I consider ideal stalking conditions.  Prep for the worst conditions so weather is never a factor in making you leave the woods.  Be prepared to stay until dark and navigate out with confidence.  Extra food helps with those extra long and exhausting hikes and helps keep you focused on the task instead of what you are going to eat when you get back to camp.

You have the ability to hike and seem to be able to navigate with confidence.  Try hunting some ridges and find the easy spots that connect other area's.  After you hike the ridge, come back in the valley by the steams.  check any edges of lakes, steep cliffs, narrow valleys these funnel type area always show deer sign if present.

 

Continued:  From Thursday. 

 

I would try scouting as much area as possible during off season.  This time of the year is GREAT!  Trails found now will be utilized when the season opens, provided they are finished with the deer yard.  (I always find doe in season by deer yards (not in) for what that's worth, bucks check these areas.)  The snow again is key and makes interpretation easy vs no snow.  It can be done with out snow but it is much harder.  Rain I have found if excessive leads to muddy conditions, da.  A good time to look for tracks if no snow is available.

 

Attributes:    Some things that have helped me in my quest to become a ADK hunter, I am still trying!

 

Knowing deer:  Seeing deer, this might sound silly to many here that see them every day.  For many of us deer sightings and resulting information gained is minimal.  Getting out and scouting area for deer even if you do not or can not hunt that area will give great insight to how deer like to travel, bed, sleep and avoid predators or people.  This knowledge is very helpful.     

 

Endurance:    The better shape you are in the easer travel will be.  Especially if you get a deer way back!  ARG I need to work out!

Mental focus: This is obtained through repetition with your weapon and endless prepping.  Plain and simple your chance at a buck are few, don't mess it up like me!  Practice your weapon so you are DEADLY at any range you may encounter!  Not just 50 yards.  You have one chance a year at a ADK buck IF your lucky!  Some of us get a lucky horse shoe up our but and get a second like me.  Don't let your knowledge of trajectory or lack of cause you to loose a deer, it is the worst excuse I have.  Arg  Where does your gun hit at 5 ft?

Heightened sensory perception:  (This is real!  OMG now they will think I am crazy.  O well.)  This is the hardest thing to learn and explain.   The better you are connected to nature the more heightened your perception will be in my experience.  Why did the birds stop chirping?  How come I feel eyes on me in this area?  Is that a deer I smell?  These little things tune you into your environment and can only help.  Deer have this perception and get more in tune as they age and experience predators.  Another thing I need work on due to so much disconnect from nature. 

 

The ability to think like a deer.  This is gained through years of hunting and observation yet each deer is different. 

 

Next time you are in a area say to yourself, "If I was a deer, where would I go?"  Think food water and shelter.  

 

Leave the wood as you found it or better with as little change as possible.  Don't touch anything if possible and brake as few branches sticks and twigs as possible and descent the boots you only put on when you get to the hunting spot.  I can not stress how important this is.  The less scent you leave the better your chances on return.  This is their house and anything out of place will alert them to your presence.  

 

OK now I am ready to go up and scout!  Lets do it!  Moose River, Big Moose its all good!  Arg now I will be on topo's for a few hours!

 

PS: I am no expert but these topics are my passion and I have studied them in depth out of obsession after missing so many. 

Use the Bruce Lee method of hunting and take what is useful and disregard the rest.  Man I love this topic, Sportsman Love your impute!  Don't stop! 

 

 

[stoneam2006]

Damn thanks for all the great insites fellas I have been more and more confident about Being in the big woods and found myself walking out past dark almost everytime out last year. The problem for me and scouting is that I'm from the southern tier (olean ny area) and its a solid 6+ hr there. One common thing I am reading is that big woods deer are not like our deer elsewhere in state...And that makes sence more I think about it. I've always loved it up on adks sence I was young and my old man took me fishing up there. Luckily for me harvesting a deer is not my main reason for hunting there. It's the feeling of seperation from humans and the great outdoors and the smell its like my heaven. I will continue to pursue the big woods as long as I can and maybe just maybe someday I'll get the chance to harvest one. Again thanks for comments keep them comming as Ik there are guys who have opinions and haven't shared. Thanks

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[Four Season Whitetail's]

I know one thing. I moved some deer today up between Tupper Lake and North Creek  and i would have to admit to being a little set back if i had to hunt in an area that big.  A guy better have very good use of a compass.  There is still 4ft of snow in the woods up there, the only place you see any deer or turkeys are next to peoples houses that are feeding them. Good thing because few deer would make winter in that area.

 I also saw more Moose crossing sign's then Deer crossing.  Big area i guess so!!!!

Edited March 29, 2014 by Four Season Whitetails

[A Sportsman]

NFA and Stoneam2006, thanks for the kind words.

Stoneam2006, your attitude about this type of hunting as you expressed above is great and a necessary ingredient. As a kid, I struggled because I wanted more action. And numbers of deer sightings just isn't what this is about. my friends were experiencing much more action in other portions of the state and it was frustrating for me. So glad now that I stuck with it. Now for a couple more tid bits...

NFA mentioned smelling deer. As time has gone on, I can't believe how often I smell deer in the woods. Usually its the rutty buck smell, sometimes the "horses" smell. On days when its foggy and air is "heavy" it happens a lot. I once smelled 4 or 5 bucks in one day. Over the years, a few of these deer I got eyes on. Came real close to killing a big 9 ptr once but I blew it and cover was too thick for a shot.

The other tip is use binoculars. I resisted using them for years due to weight and the fact that I wear glasses and never felt real comfortable looking through the ones I tried. Last year I bought a good pair and gave the a fair shake. My goodness I can't believe what I was missing all those years. Put simply, I am a better hunter with binocs around my neck.

Quick story, last year I was stalking a buck with a doe and lost sight of them down below me. I had guessed that they bedded since they seemingly just vanished. Never saw them walk off. So I creeped down the mountain little by little 10 yds at a time using boinocs to keep scanning. At some point I was able to see the tips of his antlers. They were bedded up against a short bench. Without binocs I would have had to trip on these deer to see them. Long story short, I wound up passing on the buck since I already had one hanging. It was a nice one too. 8 ptr good mass, 16" wide. I wound up bumping it eventually and it ran to my cousin, and he shot it.

[A Sportsman]

Some guys who hunt the big woods really have a mentality of wanting to hunt alone. Or perhaps only team up for the drag if someone shoots one. I understand that and personally I enjoy hunting alone too when the conditions permit. But during times when its too calm out for sneaking, and/or the deer are not moving at all, or especially when both of these conditions are met, I prefer to hunt with a group and design a plan to try to bump deer to one another.

As NYAntler said above, when you bump a deer in these woods its pretty insane how far they can run, at full tilt. Factor that in when figuring your plans.