Still Hunting Whitetail Deer
 in the Adirondack Mountains
Consider a remote base camp hunting excursion to the middle of nowhere. Old-timers tell the tales of the Adirondack Mountains.

Hunting the whitetail deer in the Adirondacks is not all the same? Or is it? Lets start off with you know your firearm or bow, it's all sighted in and your dead on, OK, were all starting out even.

Just a question before we go.  Do you have your buck lure or doe scent? Ok were ready.

There are many techniques used when still hunting, but blunt and to the point many do not apply when hunting the Adirondack Mountains.  

I will present you with a few short stories about what I have seen and experienced when hunting the Adirondacks.

To start you right off, snow comes to us early in these parts of the remote South Central Adirondacks.  You will be greeted with either no snow, crunchy leaves, or 2 feet of snow (it will always remain a mystery).

Fall foliage hunting vacations in the Adirondack Mountains.

Let's begin:  One morning I crawled out of camp at 5 am and prepared a light pancake breakfast before heading out.  I was surprised (but yet not surprised) to see a fresh snow cover of 6 to 8 inches.  The current weather was overcast but free from any wind.   The snow did linger from the trees and it did make for a quiet and peaceful scene.

As I began to get my mind into the mode of the whitetail, I questioned myself.  If I lived out here in these harsh conditions, where would I go - - hum?   My first thought was the evergreens; it was warmer with less snow, but did provide more cover?  Instinct lead me to the thick lush green pines.  This Adirondack pine patch was 100 plus acres in size and an estimated walk of about 45 minutes.  

I then re-evaluated the situation and realized that the fresh overnight snow probably caused the deer to bunker down (they do mainly eat at night during hunting season), unlike bow season when they feed all day in the Adirondacks.

The Adirondacks also present longer hunting hours, and with the time change, I decided to change the plan.  I headed to the hardwoods which were only a ten minute walk from my current location.

As I proceeded toward their feeding grounds of acorns and beech nuts,  I crossed my tracks, and did realized about 20 steps into my route that there lay a fresh set of tracks crossing over my previous steps.

This reminded me of a story that an old timer told me when I was just a young pup first starting out in the sport.   The hunting group sat around a small fire planning for their daily drive, in an area not to far just north of here.   At this point of the game, I was only allowed along as a guest because of the introduction of my stepfather.  Even though I was young I did wish to learn nature's elements which were extreme that day and I was cold and damp, but refused to surrender to nature's force.  I was going to withstand and learn.  

I sat and listened to the story being delivered from a distinguished gray haired man.  I studied his features and demeanor.  He stood about 6 ft tall and 190 lbs, and his face was weathered from the outdoors.  You could tell as he presented his story that he loved the woods and did prefer that his time be spent here, but his eyes expressed the hardness of the Adirondack Life.  Yet his tone delivered no resentment for the path he had chosen to follow and Bob be his name.

Bob's stories were endless and his experience priceless.  One day we were perched on Bob's favorite high spot, when a still hunter proceeded to maneuver his way through the woods below.  Bob always carried binoculars and he watched intently as the unknown man made his way to a hardwood ridge.  He began to described the current conditions and the weather to lay grounds for his new tale (one I sat patiently awaiting - he would tell when he was ready); the conditions were very similar to the ones I have now since experienced during my hunting trips.

Bob sat quiet for a while watching the unknown man work his way to the hardwood ridge.  He proceeded ever so slowly to the deer's feeding ground.   Then after a short time we watched him proceeded "downwind" toward a small swamp.  I do recall that during the mans whole careful endeavor, he did not ever look back - not once.   He was being so quiet, so cautious, so observant, so attentive.  He looked and stalked for that trophy buck with such intrigue and stealth.   Bob and I watched quietly as the no-name man made three separate passes on his same route, carefully following his own tracks with precision.  During the end of his third pass he proceeded down ridge and headed for his car without his trophy or a clue.  I sat looking at Bob and then looked back at the man and waited for the answers and the whys.

The entire time we watch the man and the deer perform their charade. The deer followed the man, but when the man broke the routine the deer did head for a safe haven momentarily before again returning to expand its curiosity.  We watched the whole episode with peculiarity, but while analyzing the hunter and deer we did lose a beautiful 8 point.  The whitetail had walked directly in range of Bob's 30.06 rifle.  

Bob did take that deer that day but also learned a little bit more about hunting in the Adirondacks, as did I.  Every time you venture out it remains a new education.

I never did receive the solution that day, but did realize that there was a good chance that if I played my cards right, I would perhaps also get a shot at the old wise one.  My adrenaline rushed and my heart raced as I slowly walked.  I did not change my style but did ever so discretely look back from time to time.  I proceeded to make two circles that day, and did decide that during my last pass, I would pick up the pace and locate a nice spot and wait.  HE WOULD COME.

I perched myself on a side ridge looking down at a small opening.  I placed my back against the hardwood ridge and waited in anticipation. Within a few minutes I heard a snap to my right.   I gazed upon a medium size 6 point broad side, he was about 200 yards off my track.  I thought for a moment why was he off my track?  I raised my rifle and just at that moment something caught my eye to the right.  It was a beautiful 12 point buck that had followed my tracks.  There he was, looking at me.  I had no chance for a shot as he trotted off.    

I smiled in defeat as he ran into the evergreen, and thought about next year.  I would return and I hoped he would to. (as for the 6 point, I wasn't there for him.)

The lesson is simple when it comes to still-hunting, you have to be aware of everything and enjoy all that is around you.  The kill is just a kill but the thrill is the ultimate addiction.  I never used cover scent that day and always wondered if that would have helped?  The wind was right the conditions were good, but time spent is the key to still hunting, there are many tricks of the trade.  You can read the numerous text books and manuals, but the way to learn is in life's reality itself.  

You must always keep an open mind and observe everything.  It all boils down to learning the habits, and the likes and dislikes of the deer - not the kill - - that will come.  Very few times does one get to bring home the trophy or game by walking the trail, it is the road less traveled that makes a difference.   

At this point of the game you should all know what a deer track looks like, if you don't know, its not a big deal, we'll teach you.  The trick is telling the weight size, direction, gender, and where the runways are (these do change two times a year).  Still-hunting in the Adirondacks is an art, there is a lot of vast country here and learning the Adirondack Mountain area is the key.

At Back to Basics, we will teach you both aspects as we walk with you, guide you, and also have a great time doing so.   You will learn a lot about Adirondack whitetail deer while also learning the Adirondack Southern region.  You will also have many chances to explore the vast country and the opportunity to see and go where few have traveled.

The best memory is that you personally see what few have done or dare to do.   It is a special place that will bring you or your hunting group a new experience each time you venture there.

Do realize that most deer are taken within a 50 square yard area?  That's less than an acre.  I have been in this area for 20 years and still have not seen it all or touched upon doing it all, but I can assure you that we can provide you with either day trips or overnight trips depending on what you seek in your hunting expedition.

I will be presenting you with more Adirondack tales of our area, so keep an eye out for the Adirondack campfire stories.  

These are wilderness experiences from Back to Basics excursions and tours in the great remote woods of Fulton and Hamilton counties of Upstate New York, and we do hope you enjoy them.

We hope to see you soon, to hear your tales, witness your company and experience your knowledge.

© Back To Basics Adirondack Wilderness Adventures 2004