Here is an interesting tip I found while browsing Field & Stream magazine many years ago. Sitting in a tree stand while deer hunting can be boring when the deer are not moving. When deer hunting from a treestand bring along a little bag filled with a few ounces of bird seed. Find a log or spot on the ground near your treestand within your field of view and spread out the bird seed.

Then climb up in your stand as usual. The birds and other critters that come to feed on the birdseed will fight boredom and keep you occupied (awake). Also the birds, chipmunks and squirrels behavior may alert you of an approaching deer or other animal before you can actually see it.

These critters will also act as “confidence decoys” when the deer do approach your neck of the woods.