Need advice.. how to hunt a spot I found today.

[OldNewbie]

Today being very windy I decided to take the shotgun and do some walking and explore some new ground. Didn't see any deer, but I did find what I think is a promising spot. It's a shallow gully with a small patch of goldenrod, 3-4 old apple trees, small trickle of a stream running through it. Open field about 100 yards above it (on private land), and mature hemlocks below (downstream). Open woods (beech) on a hillside on one side, and mixed pines/hardwoods on the other. Deer trails, rubs, and scrapes here and there. 

If you only had two hours to hunt this spot, when would you?  First light, last light, or some time in between?

Would it be worthwhile setting a trail cam at this point? Or is it just too late in the season and not worth the effort.

Sitting half way up the hill gives you a 35 yard shot and you can see over the whole area, but you're also pretty visible. Sitting down at the same level visibilty is a lot less, but you have better concealment. (I don't hunt from tree stands, ground only, due to age and inexperience.)  Where would you sit?

 

[grampy]

At this point, set up where you have the best visibility, with the wind in your face a must. Sit under a large tree, or a blowdown, to break up your outline if possible.  From that vantage point you may see where the deer are moving. So you can adjust and move accordingly, without bumping the deer out, or tipping off your presence. I'd start out at first or last light, given only two hours to hunt. Good luck with your new spot! Hoping it pays off for ya!

Edited November 20, 2017 by grampy

[OldNewbie]

The wind in this spot is challenging. The access road/parking area is to the west, so the wind would (usually) be at my back if I just walked straight in. Circling around to the eastern flank would take considerably more time/effort. 

[grampy]

7 minutes ago, OldNewbie said:

The wind in this spot is challenging. The access road/parking area is to the west, so the wind would (usually) be at my back if I just walked straight in. Circling around to the eastern flank would take considerably more time/effort. 

The extra effort could make all the difference. 

[OldNewbie]

1 hour ago, grampy said:

The extra effort could make all the difference. 

Or I could wait for the odd day when the wind isn't W/NW..