Deer and Turkey Hunting Tips

Archive for June, 2009

In order to be successful while deer hunting, the hunter must learn to avoid being detected. With the exception of scent control, noise and movement are the two main factors that hunters must control to prevent detection by deer. Slow movement with limited noise is always the best approach.

Anyone that has spent time in the field has spooked deer while walking to or from a hunting location. The reason for this is hunters are too focused on reaching a destination. They move too quickly and walk with a heavy foot. They may be late getting to the woods or in too big of a hurry to get out. The trick for success is to reduce these occurrences.

To help reduce these issues, the hunter needs to take a few precautionary steps. Dress in clothing that is made of soft, quiet material to help reduce noise. The boots should be flat bottomed or soft soled. When walking, take slow methodical steps paying attention to footing. Also stop frequently and observe your hunting surroundings for deer. Make sure to allow enough time for a slow approach.

Another issue is that hunters are often unable to sit still very long once on stand. They become fidgety and start to move around. This obviously plays in favor of the deer. To avoid these problems, the hunter should get plenty of rest and use a stand that is very comfortable. If this doesn’t work, it would be best to hunt from a fully enclosed tower type stand. These stands allow the hunter to stand up and stretch without being detected. A ground blind may also be a good approach.

Limiting the noise and movement while deer hunting will improve the chances for success. As always be safe and good luck.

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It has been my observation over the years that many hunters fail to take advantage of a wide selection of tools that can be used for hunting. An example of this is the use of binoculars for deer hunting. We have all seen those so called professional hunting programs that show the hunter taking out a pair of compact binoculars and glassing around in search of that monster buck.

But how many hunters actually use this technique. Most of the hunters that I have made contact with over the years don’t. They may have a pair of binoculars that stay inside a case for years without use. In talking with them, in many cases they don’t have an answer as to why they’re not used. Its just not part of their equipment list.

I started using binoculars many years ago before the compact versions were a hot commodity. Although I do now possess a compact pair. Although I spend plenty of time in a stand, a majority of the deer that I take each year is from the ground. I enjoy still hunting or stalking as some folks call it. So it is important to me to make sure the binoculars are in the backpack.

The prices on binoculars can vary depending on manufacturer and field of view. The reality is that you can get a nice pair for around a hundred dollars that will be more than adequate for the average deer hunting set up. Most compact versions are suitable out to about one hundred yards. Larger more open areas will need the full sized longer ranged versions. In either case, make sure they are waterproof.

The use of binoculars is relatively simple by following the manufacturers directions. Just adjust them to your face and eyesight and you’re good to go. Any other adjustments that need to be made in the field are easy as well.

While deer hunting, whether on stand or on the ground, a good approach for using binoculars is to break the area to be glassed down to small sections. Thoroughly glass each section slowly. I generally start my glassing up close about twenty five yards or so and slowly move out further as far as I can see. I then move over slightly to the right, overlapping my previous field of view and repeat, and repeat the process until each section is covered.

Make sure to identify any objects that may resemble deer before continuing. Look for antlers, tails, white hairs, ears, as well as the whole deer. Pay extra attention to clumps that may be bedded deer. Also look for any horizontal movements across the vertical terrain. When you are satisfied, move on to another section.

It is also a good idea to give yourself breaks from extended binocular use. I normally glass for a minute or so and then watch with the naked eye for a few minutes. This will help reduce eye fatigue. Once I have completed all sections, after a brief break, I start again.

I have had good success with the use of binoculars while deer hunting. I have been able to locate many deer that I never knew were nearby. This early detection tool has provided a great advantage on many occasions. So if you haven’t added the binoculars to your accessory list yet, maybe you should give them a try.

As always be safe and good luck.

The opening week of the deer hunting bow season provides the hunter with a good opportunity for success. There is a wide selection of food sources available that can in many cases allow for better patterning of the deer. The abundance of farm crops give the hunter a chance to observe deer from a distance, and then based on observations, be able to set up accordingly.

Early season deer hunting in many instances often seems like the easiest time of the year to hunt. This is because, for the most part, there has not been any pressure on the deer. The woods have been free from hunter activity for several months. Deer movement has become almost routine and the deer seem somewhat relaxed. Often the hunter is able to take advantage of these situations.

The key to success during the early deer hunting season, like other times of the year, is for the hunter to not be detected by the deer. Fields full of crops offer the hunter the ability to hunt numerous locations without over saturating any given area. Since deer will have bedding areas near these food sources, the hunter has the choice of hunting near field edges or areas near bedding locations.

The hunter should set up stand locations based on observed deer movement. Placing stands during the middle of the day is a tactic often used, however, carrying a portable stand into a location to be hunted in immediately can be just as effective. The trick is to be as quiet as possible to prevent being detected. Always allow extra time if using the later approach.

Another key to success, especially during the warm weather months, is scent control. Deer hunting during early season requires extra attention to be given towards controlling human odors. The hunter will sweat, this obviously creates odor. Taking a shower prior to hunting is recommended. The use of human odor control products is a requirement.

Although there will be much anticipated excitement for the opening week of the deer hunting season, the use of good judgement and hunting tactics will dictate success. As always be safe and good luck.

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