It’s no big secret that if you want to kill deer, you have to be in the woods. Comfort in the deer woods has changed over the years. From the days of sitting in the cold/wet to parking your backside on a five-gallon bucket, hunters are offered more opportunities to be out from sun up to sun down.

Sitting all day during the peak of the rut can be very productive and can be very boring at times.

In my younger years, I had no problem sitting on a stand from sun up until sun down, but over the past several years I have been finding it more difficult to hang out in the woods more than a few hours. Whether it’s because my mind will not shut off or because of my messed up back, I haven’t be able to stay comfortable.

I have come up with a few things that help make my time on stand longer and more comfortable, and the best part of it is it doesn’t cost tons of money. It will take some time, though.

I have forced myself into some long sits because I know the payoff can be terrific during this magic time of year. The old adage that you can’t kill them from the couch seems like just an old saying, but it rings true when it comes to hunting mature whitetails during the first part of the gun season and rut.

There is a window of opportunity for whitetail hunters when mature bucks are on their feet during the day and constantly on the move. If you can park yourself in a high-percentage spot to contact one of these cruising bucks, you will up your odds greatly.

Having confidence in your hunting spots is key. Having confidence in my spot is the most important factor in keeping me there. If I feel very strongly that I am in the right spot, and something good could happen at any moment, I can not only stay on-stand, but also stay focused and alert for much longer. Confidence is gained by knowing your surroundings.

Staying comfortable is essential when you plan on staying on stand all day.

Some stands are more comfortable than others, but not too comfortable. I do not need a stand that is so comfortable that my eyelids are going to want to close, but I do not want to be so uncomfortable that I am fighting it all day. Finding the right stand is a personal choice. Some need a thicker seat, while some need more back support. With a well-placed and a heated seat pad, you can be comfortable all day. One of things I that have found important is a large platform. I make it a point to get up and stretch my back at least once an hour. These stretches last at least for 10 minutes and I make sure that I not only stretch my legs but my back, arms, shoulders and neck.

Sitting in the woods all day can be boring for some, but for me, not so much. I do enjoy being in the outdoors, just watching and listening to the world around me. I’ve also been told I’m not mentally centered.

There are some great things that don’t take much room in your backpack to help make your time on stand more enjoyable. While I’m not one to do this, some folks will take along a book or others, I hear, will take a tablet to help make the time pass. I have found that a well-placed opened backpack makes it easy to slide your book or tablet into if that next wall hanger strolls by.

It goes without saying that dressing properly is important. Dress in layers so you can take things off as the day warms up and put them back on as the day cools down in the evening. Fleece is a perfect under layer when covered with a windproof outer layer. There are many fabrics and systems available today that make staying warm through varying daily temperatures easier than ever.

Another way to keep warm is to carefully move about to stay warm and loose. It is amazing how much an aggressive rattling sequence will warm up your arms and torso. Of course, seeing a buck come in rattling will make you instantly forget the cold, so the benefits are twofold.

Hunting all day in our part of whitetail country this time of year can mean everything from cold to rain to sun to snow. While it’s obviously important that we stay warm, the one thing that is often overlooked is food intake. The proper food will not only fight off boredom but it can also keep you warm, and with the right combination of food it will keep you awake. Food with high crabs will produce energy. For me, it’s jerky. A good trail mix is another easy snack to make and carry that can get you over the hunger hump.

Potty breaks can be important, but what to do with them can make or break your day and stand. Drinking too much will produce urine which needs to be dealt with, and an old fashion pop bottle will help out. I’m a big fan of scents, but the use of the proper scents in the proper place. Deer like and do respond to scents, but human scents in the deer woods isn’t the best idea.

This time of year it’s important to stay on stand as long as possible and one has to be in the woods as long as possible. The longer you are in the woods, the better the chances one has to fill a tag on a mature whitetail. Staying comfortable during all hours of the day is important and having belief that you are in the best spot to spend your time and keeping yourself safe is vital to your success.