The shotgun deer season in Massachusetts runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 this year with the primitive arms season following from Dec. 14-31.¬ Although it may seem like you have a lot of time to prepare, to increase your chances of being successful, you should be doing your woodland research now.

The North Shore can seem to be a tough place to hunt given the density of the human population. However, it is amazing to me how many spots there are within just a few miles from home where you can spend the day in the woods and not see a single soul. Or, if you do occasionally spot someone, they are also hunting as well.

Dogtown, the woods around the reservoirs, West Gloucester, Essex and Ipswich farm lands, the edges of the marshes all along the coast, unpopulated islands, state lands, etc. all provide great opportunities. In some cases you need permission from the land owner, but in many you do not.

My buddy Steve and I did a little research and found a piece of state land that can't be more than 50 acres. It is a point that sticks out into the marsh behind a golf course. It has a center ridge that runs through it with a great variety of hardwoods and softwoods. The acorns provide great food and the underbrush and softwoods a place for the deer to hide during the day. There are several trails leading to and from this haven from other surrounding state and private lands.

Only occasionally have we ever seen other folks hunt this area and when they do, they are just cruising through. Over the years we have taken several deer off of this tiny peninsula. It took us a couple of seasons to sort out the really good spots to place our tree stands, but once we did, not a season has gone by when we did not have a good chance for success.

This leads me to this week's subject: how to set a tree stand.

The best tree stand sites are where deer traffic naturally funnels through an area. There are certain locations that produce results year after year because of their geography. Others are effective because of agricultural practices and food availability. Deer are creatures of habit and, like most of us, they want to take the path of least resistance to both water and food. However, experience has taught them to avoid open areas. They like to walk just inside the tree line. Each year the woods changes, so observation time now will increases your odds of finding the trails that are most in use.¬ 

Once you find a trail, stay off it. Remember that deer have a great sense of smell. If you walk the trail in and out to your stand, the deer will simply not use it. Look for a place that is several yards away from the trail and find a tree that is big enough and straight enough to hold your stand. Once you locate a good tree, only approach it in a way that does not use the trail.¬ 

When placing the stand on the tree get it up high in the air. Deer do not generally look up as they walk along. As with any animal, they will see movement. But if you are up 15 feet or so and keep quiet, you should go undetected. In addition, set your stand in among limbs or behind the trunk so your outline will be broken up by the surrounding vegetation. This works best in a fir tree, It is a bit harder if you are in a hardwood stand, but use what is available to camouflage your spot.¬ 

Another good idea is to locate it near some obstacle a deer has to negotiate, such as a stone wall, a small creek, or a sharp bend. If they have to concentrate on the obstacle they will be less likely to look up or focus on other things. Also, set the stand so the deer are not walking right at you. They are less likely to observe you if you are high up to their side.¬ 

Find three or four good spots and put up a couple of stands if you can. Observe¬ the action on opening day and move to the best spot as the week goes on. However, if the deer are using this trail regularly, do not be too eager to change. There will be a lot of hunters in the woods who will not have your patience. Let them drive the deer by you on your pre-scouted route.¬ 

Be sure your deer stand is big enough for you. I use a Gorilla stand that allows me to stand and move about without it creaking or moving. Be sure to use your safety belt when in the tree. Several hunters each year fall from their stands when they doze off. Have a rope that drops from the stand so you can raise or lower you shotgun. You might want to construct a cover over the stand to protect you from the rain.¬ 

A deer is very observant of its surroundings. A big deer stand that smells of humans and sticks out from the side of a tree is going to stand out to them. If there are spruces or pines in the area, use their smell to mask your own. Days before you put up your stand, put it in a big box or bag that is full of cut boughs. Store your hunting boots, jacket, pants and gloves in the same box. Let that smell permeate your hunting gear.

Try to get your stands up several days before the season to let them become a regular part of the pattern the deer sees each day. Where they might be a little shy of it the first day, they will get used to it if you do not go to it until the dark of the first morning. To find your stand that first day, put up reflective markers or tape on trees. It is often hard to see a well-concealed stand even when you know it is right there.

By doing your research, taking the time to set up a good tree stand, disguising the smell and staying off the trail coming and going to your stand, you may find yourself reporting in that great buck on opening morning.