Deer hunting from a hammock

[MacEntyre]

Last Dec 31, tried to walk up a deer in the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area. I saw several deer, but none offered a shot. As the sun set, I hung my hammock at the foot of Cedar Rock Mtn. While I was setting up, a doe with one fawn came down the mountain, nearly following the route I had taken an hour earlier. They did not approach very close, so I had a fairly long shot from behind the large tree that held one end of my hammock. She ran, and I followed slowly, although I found no evidence that she was hurt. I slept well in spite of temps that reached 21*F, and distant fireworks at midnight. I tried to track the doe again on New Year's Day, to no avail. Where I saw a dozen the day before, it was as if deer were extinct on Jan 1. I decided that my long shot had missed.

- MacEntyre

[oldgringo]

Last Dec 31, tried to walk up a deer in the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area. I saw several deer, but none offered a shot. As the sun set, I hung my hammock at the foot of Cedar Rock Mtn. While I was setting up, a doe with one fawn came down the mountain, nearly following the route I had taken an hour earlier. They did not approach very close, so I had a fairly long shot from behind the large tree that held one end of my hammock. She ran, and I followed slowly, although I found no evidence that she was hurt. I slept well in spite of temps that reached 21*F, and distant fireworks at midnight. I tried to track the doe again on New Year's Day, to no avail. Where I saw a dozen the day before, it was as if deer were extinct on Jan 1. I decided that my long shot had missed.

- MacEntyre

The hunter's paradox: first you pray for a perfect shot, then you pray for a clean miss. Sucks the joy out of the hunt, doesn't it?

[MacEntyre]

The other day, Thing1 said she wanted to stalk a deer, but she did not want to kill one. I told her, "Then come with me!"

I enjoy it, even if I am not very dangerous.

[nonamesleft47]

I hunt from one of these:

http://fanaticoutdoors.com/default.aspx

Man, I need one of those! I wonder how the bottom is rigged up?

I'd be dead asleep in 5 minutes in my hammock. it'd work though other than that. I've been sleeping in my hammock at hunting camp rather than in the trailer with all the guys. I've got 3 weekends this month and 3 next month, can't wait!

[spklbuk]

I hunt from one of these:

http://fanaticoutdoors.com/default.aspx

I've looked at it. Ever use it spring gobbler hunting? How's it do? Inquiring minds want to know....please good sir.

[Doctari]

Interesting idea! Though I doubt that I would see many deer. Hammocks are just to darn comfortable. I'm afraid that I would get more nap time then quality hunting time.

My first long hike using a hammock I took a 30 minute nap in the hammock. I woke up 4 hours later. I no longer "Nap" in my hammock, I'm thinking that hunting from a hammock would not be very productive for the same reason.

"SO, Bob, how many deer did you shoot from your hammock?"
"Not a one, slept through the season, I was just too comfortable! Next year I'll leave the hammock at home & go back to the tree stand!!!!"

[Riverpirate]

I've looked at it. Ever use it spring gobbler hunting? How's it do? Inquiring minds want to know....please good sir.

Yes I have used it turkey hunting as well as deer hunting and just sitting around camp. Works well. packs really small to carry in turkey vest of backpack. I don't usually sit long when turkey hunting so I probably carry it more than use it then but I love it when I sit near a food plot all day. I highly recommend it.

[Just Jeff]

That's an interesting hammock seat...thanks for posting.

I think sleeping in the hammock during a hunting trip sounds like a great idea...but shooting from one isn't likely to give you a safe shot, let alone a stable enough platform for a clean shot.

Mod's note - let's keep this focused on hammocks rather than on general hunting comments, pls.

[waddy]

When this post was started, I didn't realize some would even think of lying in and shooting from a hammock. My idea of the advantage of hunting "with" a hammock is the ability to carry a very small package with you, and have the ability to stay out pretty much wherever darkness overtakes you. I have stayed out before when hunting, but never with the comfort, convenience, comfort, simplicity, and comfort of a hammock. Did I mention comfort?