One of the preferred deer-hunting methods utilized by Ontario’s greater than 160,000 deer hunters is sitting, watching, and ready. Many sit and watch from an elevated place, whereas others accomplish that from the bottom. Temporary pop-up blinds, small capturing shacks on the bottom, and mounted in timber or on stilts are typical.
Yet, there’s another choice.
Find an previous, deserted farmhouse, or different constructing, someplace out in deer nation. With at the least some preparation, you’ve doubtless acquired your self a secure and cozy spot to take a seat and watch and wait and be just about invisible. Best of all, deserted buildings in deer nation are greater than doubtless a deer-hunting hotspot.
Old buildings as blinds
Abandoned buildings are sometimes related to farming, so there’s an excellent likelihood they’re positioned in prime deer habitat overlooking a pasture, or previous subject. These are locations deer are more likely to frequent. If the buildings are the stays of an previous homestead, there may be remnants of apple orchards, hawthorns, and different mast-bearing timber and shrubs that present the meals and canopy deer search.
Another large plus with deserted buildings is that deer are acclimated to the spot and unafraid of the constructions.
While farm nation is the very best place to seek out these gems, they may also be present in forested habitats. Over the years, loads of farmland, just like the buildings themselves, has been deserted, and timber shortly encroach; on Crown lands, the place forestry, mining or different actions happen, trailers and shacks are frequently deserted, regardless of Public Lands Act legal guidelines that forbid such practices. These previous buildings may also be nice locations to hunt from, particularly in the event that they overlook a cutover or different forest opening.
The best solution to discover an deserted constructing deer-hunting hotspot is at all times preserve a watch out everytime you’re driving, strolling, or driving roads and trails. If you’ve rural or farmer pals, inform them what you’re searching for and have them ask round.
If you do discover a constructing that appears prefer it is perhaps an excellent place to take a seat, watch, and wait, there are a variety of issues that you must do earlier than glomming on to it. The first order of enterprise is to find out whether or not the constructing is on personal, or leased land. If it’s, you’ll want permission to at the least have a first-hand look to see if it meets your wants.
This deserted home on our property had not been lived in for 20+ years. I take advantage of it as my deer hunt shack now. I minimize a gap within the display screen to shoot by way of. The deer mounts had been “rescued” from the native museum that was going to toss them.
An deserted trailer on Crown land from logging operations. As you’ll be able to see, the within is a multitude.
Prepping your spot
Once you’ve acquired the OK from the proprietor, private security is prime precedence. Be conscious of unmarked wells and different holes and pits, and be careful for previous equipment and different junk. The constructing, too, is usually a hazard. Be looking out for rotting partitions, ceilings, floorboards, shards of glass, and rusty nails. Make positive you’re carrying acceptable clothes and footwear.
Depending on the situation, you’ll most likely have to do some upkeep. Floors and home windows may want attending to. As lengthy because the place supplies an excellent vantage, is snug and secure, it’s as much as you — with proprietor permission — to determine how a lot time, effort, and cash you wish to spend on fixups.
Before repairs, a clean-up can also be doubtless so as. Chances are mice, squirrels, or bigger animals, similar to skunks and raccoons, have used or proceed to name the constructing dwelling. You wish to breathe clear air and never sit in animal feces to reduce the potential of contracting ailments or parasites similar to hantavirus and raccoon roundworms.
At a minimal, sweep and wipe the place you can be sitting, watching, and ready, in addition to the place you’ll be consuming, stretching, and pacing. Wear a correct masks while you do.
Also, pay attention to the course you’ll be capturing (not in the direction of a street), have an acceptable backstop, and make sure the solar won’t be in your eyes at nightfall or daybreak.
A remaining different
If you’ll be able to’t discover an deserted constructing, there’s one different choice to think about: an ice fishing hut.
Fish shacks which are constructed to final for years are saved someplace in the course of the off season. One of those constructions may simply be your ticket to a deer-hunting shack.
Think of the chances. Deer will develop into properly acclimated to its presence if it sits for months at a time. Plus, it ought to be clear, secure, and cozy, with minimal effort in your half.
Originally printed within the Fall 2021 concern of Ontario OUT of DOORS Magazine
Bruce Ranta is a retired wildlife biologist, out of doors author, and photographer based mostly in Kenora. Reach Bruce at: mail@oodmag.com