Hanging stands?

[Nuke Man]

I, unfortunately, hunt primarily good old Illinois public land. The sites where you can put out a (semi) permanent stand don't let you put them out until 2 weeks before the archery opener. It still works, but it definitely lowers the odds of getting an big (old, smart) buck. You do what you gotta!

Where bouts you at? I'm up in the Quad Cities area

 

[LostArra]

A big factor, too, is how used to humans the deer are in the area you hunt. Different case if you are hunting private where deer see/smell humans rarely.

On one farm I hunt I've considered using diesel fuel as a cover scent. Tractors are about the only vehicular traffic now that oil and gas drilling has slowed in the area.

 

[Murdy]

In the cornfields, south of DeKalb. I've hunted French Bluff out your way, but I usually go south.