My Deer stands are established on the Farm...

[Adam Helmer]

I have several deer stands suitable for recurve bow archery, flintlocks and rifle deer here on the farm. Today, I took old truck and drove about putting this year's hay bales in proper position for October muzzleloader deer hunting, archery and rifle deer in November-December. I name all my "Forts" and post a wooden sign to advise guests where they are hunting.

First is Fort Edward in an overgrown rockpile easily accessed from the Tractor Road. It is a fine place to post a spotting scope to view all of the big hayfield. Second is Fort Ti, (Ticonderoga) on the upper side of the hayfield that views all the field. Down the field a bit is Fort Niagara and further down (West) is "Fallen Timber" just before one enters the West Woods. All the Forts are easy to slip into and out of without disturbing the deer or turkeys in the big hayfield. I do much woods loafing in my Forts.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

My cousins used to build 'forts' out of straw bales for deer hunting....could see where they would be quite comfy, esp. in a high wind.

Me? I just find a tree to sit with my back to.....nothing fancy!

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

My forts are in brushy or wooded edges and are concealed from view from the hayfield. You are correct about them breaking up the cold North or West winds in hunting season. I see Cabela's has heaters for use in forts and blinds. All I really need is a windbreak.

Adam

[buckhunter]

I'll be setting out my blinds in a couple of weeks. One of them is about 15 yards from a stone wall that is a heavy travel route. This is usually a pop up blind. I leave it there till Dec 31.

The other is a brush blind that sits on the back side of a field. This is my evening sit blind. Not as nice at the pop up but do see a lot.

I'm ready let the games begin.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Gee, Adam....if you 'need' them to keep you warm, maybe you should name one of them "Fort Necessity"!

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

Now THAT was a VERY GOOD remark! Be well.

Adam

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I know this is a very old post but I like going back now and then..always find things I missed the first few times..anyhow, thinkin of the 'forts'...we had a nice one built years ago..put a little heat in it during very cold Jan and warmed the bales up enough the nest of snakes came from everywhere..seems we found the very bales that housed every snake in the valley...lmao....what a suprise for sure. I need to photo the nautral blind my daughter and I sit in..she says is like the recliner at home..yep, I like to make those kind out in the woods..

[Adam Helmer]

skeeter,

Fine Post! I never got snakes out of my hay bales, but I did pull a bale or two out of the hay mow that was FULL of Yellow Jackets!!!!

My "Forts" are established for 2012.

Adam