Good morning one and all. Having moved to the NW corner of the state several years ago, I've come to the realization that the tactics that worked so well down in the rest of Montana's mountainous regions don't work as well up here, namely spot-and-stalk tactics. For those of you who haven't ventured up here to hunt, our forests more closely resemble a coastal rain forest than the more open hillsides around Dillon. Still-hunting definitely works and has put me on numerous deer, but I'm often left wondering how many deer simply scooted out of view undetected, as even the critters themselves struggle to move about silently.
My question is this. Do any of you that hunt up here, let's say in Lincoln, Sanders, or Flathead Counties, employ ambush tactics like tree-stands or ground-blinds? In my sojourns, I've come across several areas that I'd dub "ungulate highways" with numerous exit ramps leading to Holiday-Inn-like bedding areas. I can't help but think that hanging a stand in such areas would be highly productive, as it would mitigate the scent factor and all but eliminate the noise issue. Yet, I haven't come across anyone up here that hunts like this. If anyone in MT or the ID Panhandle hunts from a stand or blind, would you mind sharing your experiences, both good and bad? This might be my project for next season. Thanks for all intel in advance!
My question is this. Do any of you that hunt up here, let's say in Lincoln, Sanders, or Flathead Counties, employ ambush tactics like tree-stands or ground-blinds? In my sojourns, I've come across several areas that I'd dub "ungulate highways" with numerous exit ramps leading to Holiday-Inn-like bedding areas. I can't help but think that hanging a stand in such areas would be highly productive, as it would mitigate the scent factor and all but eliminate the noise issue. Yet, I haven't come across anyone up here that hunts like this. If anyone in MT or the ID Panhandle hunts from a stand or blind, would you mind sharing your experiences, both good and bad? This might be my project for next season. Thanks for all intel in advance!