Stumbled into perfect setup

[Usi05]

So I wanted to share this. I stumbled into a perfect public land setup last week. Was doing some e-scouting around backside of a marsh I had scouted and noticed this from the map. What drew me in was the lack of access. No parking near road.

So Saturday morning I’m planning on getting in a tree on transition to marsh but I walk up the side of this ridge with a SW wind into what looks like a killer funnel. It’s pitch black so I’m relying mostly on my map.

To my left and right is a bottom. Directly behind me is white oaks that deer seemed to have moved on from. Directly in front of me there is a transition from Pine to hardwoods and there’s a ton of undergrowth in the pine so I was certain does bedded there. The marsh is 100 yards down from the pine.

So I started thinking about going further but made myself get into a tree overlooking both the transition to doe bedding at 35 yards and 1/3 elevation on that leeward ridge. Figured bucks could have best of both worlds and use wind tunnel and check bedding and bottoms simultaneously.

So first morning I had 3 different bucks come by. 2 were shooters I drew back on but never got a shot. Another buck came by later but I think it was same buck from morning.

I’m excited and I bail out. As I’m walking out I see a dude coming towards me. He parked by me and walked down just like I did. I don’t want to leave but he says he’s only hunting evening and morning and shows me where he’s going so I bail.

Today I go back in morning in another SW wind. Maybe a bit more south than sw but I figured it would still work.
3 bucks came cruising by today as well. One of which I drilled.

This setup just seems like gold. Rare I get to see 6 maybe 7 bucks in two mornings on Michigan public.

Wanted to share my Dan like sketch in hopes it might help someone else.

I will likely go back if wind cooperates next weekend when weather gets nasty.

Could it be a hot doe is to blame? Or was it simply the terrain? I’ll never know.

[Jackson Marsh]

Sounds like a killer setup

[john1984]

You forgot to color it

[Bwhit16]

Let's see the buck picture!

[nsmith253]

To my left and right is a bottom.

Usi, what kind of vegetation are you talking about in the "Bottom" parts of the map? I can picture the rest I'm just curious--is it like creek/river bottom type grasses? Or thicker than that?

[Usi05]

To my left and right is a bottom.

Usi, what kind of vegetation are you talking about in the "Bottom" parts of the map? I can picture the rest I'm just curious--is it like creek/river bottom type grasses? Or thicker than that?

It’s just valley bottoms. Lots of dead timber and small trees. Lots of underbrush.

The deer use it but almost exclusively at night. This isn’t typical hill country you’d think of but I used the hill country concepts and you can absolutely see the trails on 2/3 elevation line around the bowls

[Usi05]

Photo of the little guy I dumped. Couldn’t close on the two bigger guys that came through. Held full draw forever on one waiting for him to move but he never did.

Area definitely is a sweet draw for cruisers heading to and from marsh.

[EllieTheChubb]

Good job!

[justdirtyfun]

Way to go.
E-scouting and scouting in general is so rewarding when you spot the unique, high percentage, sweet location.
The light bulb moment when you visualize how it gives so much advantage to the deer and why they are using it. Good stuff.

[Usi05]

This place has taught me a ton. Think I identified another feature like this that I am waiting for a good wind to go and sit.

Lots of buck encounters last few weeks but now I’m after one of the big guys I was drawn on but couldn’t close.

I also have a picture of a big 8 that I’ve been trying to locate all season but can’t find him.

Finally got some deer moving weather in Michigan another tag here this weekend.

[backstraps]

Congratulations man! Sounds like an awesome setup

[hunting_dad]

Congrats and great shot!

[Usi05]

That was the 3rd smallest buck that cruised through the location. I had two slammers I couldn’t close on as one wouldn’t stop and other was masterful in avoiding lanes.

You’d think a guy would be frustrated but I’m thrilled. Think I have a great rut funnel each year that shouldn’t vary much.
That funnel isn’t near at ag so it shouldn’t be nearly as seasonal as some of the other ones I have closer to ag.

Going to get back into it in a few days once the opening day gun hunters go back to work. Don’t want to lead anyone to it lol

[Sparkey]

nice find and congrats on some mi success. im hunting hill country in mi nelp ...ive been here a year and i find shame in the fact i havnt hunted the leeward side of a ridge system. seems like it really attracts hunters because its usually close to a trail or and is usually oak clusters. i have however found a windward rut tunnel i think. can u be more specific on stand placement?

[NorthStar]

That was the 3rd smallest buck that cruised through the location. I had two slammers I couldn’t close on as one wouldn’t stop and other was masterful in avoiding lanes.

You’d think a guy would be frustrated but I’m thrilled. Think I have a great rut funnel each year that shouldn’t vary much.
That funnel isn’t near at ag so it shouldn’t be nearly as seasonal as some of the other ones I have closer to ag.

Going to get back into it in a few days once the opening day gun hunters go back to work. Don’t want to lead anyone to it lol

Congrats on the buck! Really nice work finding this spot when deer are choosing to use it. Would you change anything for the next time you bow hunt this spot? Like stand placement or anything like that? How would you set up on this differently, if at all, for the firearm season?