Best Way To Mark Your Trail

[cflhunter]

Ok...I've got to admit, God didn't bless me with a stellar sense of direction. I can get turned around in a mall parking lot (maybe not that bad). In the past I have used fluorescent ribbon to identify my path to and from my tree stand. However, ribbon isn't as noticeable in low light conditions. I have thought about using reflective tacks, but I wonder if I would be able to identify those during daylight hours. I try to make a clear trail to each of my stands. During late season, this isn't so much of a problem. But during the early season, when everything is still real green my direction will sometimes get the better of me. Are there any different methods that have worked for you?

[sskybnd]

i was just like you cfl, i would get turned around so bad that alot of times i had to hunt on the ground till daylight just to be able to find my stand, ive tried ribbons, tacks, if im going to hunt some where where its realy thick i use a white pillow case cut in strips about 8 inches long, and hang them about 4 to 5 foot off the ground, still have a string thats been out for about 2 years, or i'l take my knife and shave the bark off the side of the trail i use to walk in, if you hunt in the same spot for years you eventually make your own trail, as time goes on you realize you will be looking at things like dead trees, logs ect.

[BearClaw]

I use the twist ties by Hunters Specialties. They are reflective on one side and orange on the other. I would think the orange strips you are currently using should work good enough, just put them closer together so you don't stray off course in between them. But you will get used to the trail if you hunt it long enough. Hope this helps!

[MCH]

When first hunting an area, I normally use flourescent tacks. They are a bit harder to see during the daytime, but they make up for it by being very easy to locate in the dark. I find it very hard to get lost in the daytime.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

I just use bright ribbon. I tried the tacks last year, didn't really like em. If it comes down to it....buy a GPS. I always carry mine and have my stand(s), parking area, or the farn house marked, just in case (got lost in the woods once for a couple hours, wasn't fun)

[sskybnd]

if you did mch, you could always climb to the top of one of them mountains and see where you are. seem like you can see for miles when your up in pickens and battiest area

[toddyboman]

Get a gps. Mark your stand on it and the GPS will take you right to all your stands.

[buckee]

Simple solution really. Use both the "Bright Eyes Thumbtacks" and "fluorescent flagging tape" in the same locations. You'll have a good night trail and a good day trail.

http://www.amazon.com/LEWIS-BRIGHT-EXTREME-REFLECTIVE-50-COUNT/dp/B000LC68O4

[Mirage]

Simple solution really. Use both the "Bright Eyes Thumbtacks" and "fluorescent flagging tape" in the same locations. You'll have a good night trail and a good day trail.

http://www.amazon.com/LEWIS-BRIGHT-EXTREME-REFLECTIVE-50-COUNT/dp/B000LC68O4

Yes i agree this is what I do and works well. If you are afraid you will not see the reflectors use more, cant hurt?

[camocop]

i spend so much time scouting during the spring and summer that i rarely use any markers. if i am hunting somewhere that i have never been before, i use flagging tape.

[craig mack]

Simple solution really. Use both the "Bright Eyes Thumbtacks" and "fluorescent flagging tape" in the same locations. You'll have a good night trail and a good day trail.

http://www.amazon.com/LEWIS-BRIGHT-EXTREME-REFLECTIVE-50-COUNT/dp/B000LC68O4

Thats what I do.

[LifeNRA]

Get a gps. Mark your stand on it and the GPS will take you right to all your stands.

I use this as well.

Simple solution really. Use both the "Bright Eyes Thumbtacks" and "fluorescent flagging tape" in the same locations. You'll have a good night trail and a good day trail.

I used to use the reflective tacks, but they lead the way for others to find your stand. Unless you get there at 3AM! Buy a GPS.

[stevebeilgard]

i used to use breadcrumbs, as in hansel & gretel. lol. i have a brand new 3 year old gps, never used. i have a very good sense of directions, especially in the mountains.

[ruttinbuc]

When I really need to in the early season I'll put 6 bright eyes on each tree. 3 on each side. One each on the bottom, eye level, and at arms reach. It is easy to miss single reflectors in the heavy vegetation. It keeps searching with your light at a minimum. I also use two extra eyes for turns in the trail. One above the other left or right of the center tack.

Most places I hunt here at home are etched in my internal GPS

[Rhino]

I've never really had a problem finding my way around in the woods on my home turf. The only time I use anything is when I'm on a do it yourself hunt out of state.

Over the past 10 years or so there has been a lot of logging on our place. In order to maintain access to my prefered stand postions I've been spraying my access trails with Roundup early each summer. It usually takes only one application around the last week of May to get the results I want. By the time hunting season comes around my access trails are mostly nothing more than dirt. Finding my stands even in the dark without a flashlight is a piece of cake. Even after the leaves drop off the trees they are easy to follow.

[RangerClay]

Have you thought about one of these?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0033003417006a&navCount=1&podId=0033003&parentId=cat20057&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20712-cat20057&catalogCode=QX&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20057&hasJS=true

[Ambuscher]

gps

[Eddie234]

have you tried both, ribbon and reflective tacks? tie the surveyer's ribbon around the tree and put a reflective tack on the side of the tree that you will shine your flashlight on when you leave or go to you stand. make sure you leave a tale hang down when you tie the ribbon, it will move in the wind and will be more noticable.