Just yesterday I had an extremely successful woods run. This combined my cross country running hobby with my love of the outdoors. But besides wanting to get some distance on my shoes, this run had a purpose. I was scouting southern Schuylkill county for my hunting spots for the upcoming season. I don’t have any cool private connections so going with state game lands is pretty much my only option. I’m going to keep the exact location a secret because I’d like to hunt with the least amount of people possible.
The Benefits Of Extra Work
Since I want to hunt in slightly empty woods I need to go on a run to find some privacy. Locally, hunters are a bit older than me and most are not runners so I have an advantage. I took off down the trail and ran about 2 miles into the woods. I wanted to get lost in the acres of woods and rocky stones covering the mountainside. I reached the end of the trail and hiked about a mile up the mountain. It probably wasn’t a mile, but it was the most intense hill climb I’ve had since my woods runs in high school. Looking around I smiled as my breath panted in the humid June air. Most hunters wouldn’t delve this deep into the forest simply because they did not want to drag a deer out from this distance. I, on the other hand, am willing to do the extra work needed to get a deer because aside from the apocalypse, nothing is keeping me from getting one during archery season this year.
Finding My Hunting Spots
Just before I crested the mountain top I found turkey scratchings. Not the small occasional groupings only a few turkeys make, but a solid 40 square foot area. The woods looked like a mini-tornado had recently scooped up the leaves and undergrowth in that area. In the middle of this area was a downed tree and a nice amount of underbrush I could sit in. I looked around the area and found a deer trail passing through. This was perfect, well, not exactly perfect. I wasn’t a fan of how the spot only provided good cover for only 15 feet of shooting area. The fallen tree and brush provided more of a barrier. Beyond the 15 feet of space was the rocky mountainside that I honestly doubt many deer or turkey would bother with. I was at the end of their trail and I had to dig deeper into it. But before going deeper in, I saved the coordinates on my phone.
Running down the deer trail I came upon rocky patches and thick patches of woods. One moment I would be looking at beautiful open woods the next I would be fighting through thick patches of mountain laurels. I also found tons of spider webs. If you’re new to running in the woods, carry a stick and spin it in front of you to grab the webs before they grab you.
I slowed to a spot where it looked like two deer trails met. It was nice and open. To the left of the meeting of the paths, there was a thicker patch of small trees. Either that was the perfect place for them to bed down during the day, or it was the cover I needed. Like a redbone, my nose was to the ground looking at this seemingly perfect area. I paced back and forth, looking at the trail and places I could get the best spot with the most versatile options. It wasn’t until I looked up that I found the perfect place to shoot my deer this fall.
I walked right past this amazing tree! The split occurs about 14 feet up and it overlooks the exact spot where the two deer trails meet. Despite my aching calves, I could have jumped up and down I was so excited. I snapped this picture and saved the coordinates so I wouldn’t lose the spot. I plan on returning there and scoping out the area more as well as adding a screw to hold my bow as I climb up. I may have to practice shooting my bow straddling a tree at my parent’s back yard. I can just imagine my dad laughing when he sees that.
Hunting Day Plan
On the opening day of archery, I am going to be showing up to the parking lot in running clothes. Running clothes, am I crazy!? Trust me, I’ve got a plan. In my small camouflage gym bag I’ll have my camo clothes, spray to cover up my scent, probably a packed lunch, a good book and my hunting shoes. In my right hand will be my Assenhiemer recurve bow and in my left will be my quiver. Once I get to the end of the trail I’ll change and complete the last bit of my hike. Once I’m in the tree nothing will be able to stop, or so I hope.
Stick around. I’ll update this post with more pictures, scout out a few more hunting spots and do way more woods runs!