Good thread...I call it "sneak hunting" and have shot my best bucks, both Whitetails and Mule deer under 40ft in the standing timber. If its early season I will put several pairs of worn out wool socks on my feet (no boots I keep them in my pack) so silent sneaking. There is always one in the pipe, safety on of course, I always hunt alone. I learned how to sneak hunt on my own and not too many hunters do it I dont think, I hunt in the rain/snow/heat and will spend all daylight hours hunting, its getting harder to stay out all day as I age but I have more patience now.
I tape my swivels so they are silent, use no cover scent, nose into the wind, and I always hunt the same ridges as I have for 40 years now. That I figure gives me an edge knowing where to look and the wind is generally always going the same direction so I dont waste my time. No Whitetail for me this year but tagged out on Mule deer.
I'm looking forward to some pointers in this thread for sure.
Pointers? But on some f'n boots, lol. I'm sorry, but I had to.
