Deer and Turkey Hunting Tips

Archive for September, 2009

Deer Hunting Tips – Many times when harvesting a deer, the animal will drop instantly in its tracks. There are also times when a deer will run away or will run into thick cover out of sight. Here are some tips for deer recovery.

Shot Placement

The first task on any recovery job is to make sure that a proper shot is made on the deer to start with. Always make shots that provide the most accurate angles and that are within your skill levels. Take your time and make a good shot. It is better to let deer walk than to take a poor or ill advised shot.

Location

Pay attention to where the deer was standing when the shot was made. Use the surroundings, such as a particularly large tree, to mark the area. Often when hunting from a stand, for example, the landscape will appear different once on the ground. By picking out easily visible markers, the hunter will be able to quickly locate where the deer was last seen. This also applies if the deer runs out of sight. Make a mental note of the direction of travel.

Deer Reaction

How the deer reacts after a shot is made will be a good indicator as to how well of a shot was made. Obviously the best scenario is for the deer to drop immediately. However, even if the deer runs off, the shot may have been adequate. Generally, if a deer jumps up and kicks out it’s hind legs, this is a solid hit. A deer that takes off running quickly is also usually hit well.

Steps to Recovery

• Locate where the deer was standing when shot.
• Mark this spot with landscape tape or bright colored string.
• Look for any signs of blood, hair, tracks, etc. that will provide a direction of travel.
• Slowly begin following such sign marking as you go.
• Make note of what of any found blood looks like.
• Look for blood on the ground as well as any trees, vines, leaves, bushes, or grasses above ground level.
• Make note of any found tracks or trails that may indicate direction of travel.
• Slowly follow blood trails until the deer is recovered.

If The Blood Trail Stops

There will be times when a blood trail stops before recovering the deer. A good approach when this occurs is to mark the last place blood was found. Then walk ahead in the direction in which the previous sign was headed. If this does not result in recovery, start at the last sign and begin a zig zag approach increasing the length and width of movement on each pass through.

If No Blood Is Found

If after the shot no blood is found, it is still wise to locate the direction of travel that the deer left on. There will be times when deer do not begin bleeding right away. Follow the tracks for as long as they are visible. Usually blood will appear within 25 yards or so. If no blood is found after 75 yards or so, most likely the deer was missed. However, on occasion, the deer may bleed internally without ever leaving any sign. Always do a thorough search just to make sure.

Good luck and be safe.

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Deer Hunting Tips – The rut is the breeding period for deer. Whitetail does come into estrus and begin to draw attention from the bucks. This is a good time for a hunter to be in the woods. Here is some helpful information for deer hunting the rutting period.

Hunt The Does

During the rutting period, the primary objective of a buck is to breed as many does as possible. It only stands to reason that the hunter should focus on hunting near doe activity. The habits of the doe, for the most part, will not drastically change during the rut. They will continue their daily movement rituals.

Feeding, Bedding, Travel Zones

Locating feeding areas, bedding areas, or travel areas that the does are currently using will greatly increase the chances of seeing a buck during the rut. The hunter should have a good knowledge of the types of food that is available in the area to be hunted. Find these food sources and find the does. Find the does and the bucks will follow.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

Don’t get caught up in believing that bucks suddenly become stupid during the rut. Bucks, especially mature bucks, will be just as cautious as any other time of the year. The only difference is the bucks may be more active during the daytime hours. Be thorough in your set up and don’t underestimate the bucks. Continue to use proper scent control as a buck that smells you will avoid you regardless of how many does are in estrus.

Doe To Buck Populations

The doe to buck ratio will greatly effect how much movement activity a given area has during the rut. In areas that offer a large number of does, the bucks will not have to travel as much to locate receptive does. Whereas the opposite will be true if the ratio is closer together.

Don’t Be Afraid To Move

It will be beneficial to have multiple stand locations throughout the rutting period. This will allow several options depending on activity. The use of a good portable lock on or climbing stand or ground blind is recommended. Always be willing to move if need be. If you see deer activity in a given area that is not near your current set up, don’t be afraid to relocate. This goes for on foot as well. If you see a buck chasing a doe from a distance, don’t just stay put, go after him.

Hunt All Day

The rutting period is one of the best times of the season to stay in the woods all day. The chances of seeing more deer during daytime hours increases. So plan to spend as much time hunting as possible. Make sure to plan accordingly. Bring plenty of extra supplies along such as food, water, and adequate clothing. Since you will likely sitting for extended periods, a comfortable seat and or stand will be needed.

Grunting,  Rattling, Lures

Make use of any rattling or grunt calls that you may have. Especially during the early part or pre rut periods. Bucks tend to respond on a more positive basis during these periods. Also try using doe in estrus deer lures to add additional enticement to your set ups. Experiment to see what works in your area. The worst thing that can happen is nothing.

These deer hunting tips are provided as helpful information for deer hunting during the rutting period. Good luck and be safe.

Deer Hunting Tips – The pre rut period brings with it the changing of deer activity. The bucks are leaving their bachelor groups for more of a solo lifestyle. The food sources are changing. The deer movement is adapting to the upcoming breeding period. The hunter must also adapt to these conditions.

Food Sources

The acorns will be falling providing food for the upcoming winter. There will also be late field crops, fruits, and other food supplies that will be visited. Bucks will be stocking up on food to provide extra body fat and energy that will be needed during the breeding period. Finding such food sources will provide good stand locations.

Rattling And Grunting

The pre rut period is an excellent time to use rattling and grunting techniques. The bucks will be asserting their dominance in order to set the breeding order. The sounds of rattling and grunts will often bring other deer including mature bucks in to investigate. The hunter would be wise to use these tactics.

Hunt Often

During the early pre rut and all throughout the rutting period, it is best to hunt as often as possible. The deer will begin to be more active during daylight offering more chances for sightings. The bucks will begin keeping watch in areas that hold groups of does. Hunters should pay attention to such movement by spending more time in the field.

Hunt The Cover

Does will often locate and begin using specific areas as cover during the rutting period. Often these areas are isolated patches away from their normal travel routes. These areas are used when the doe comes into estrus. They may be in fields that are over grown, a small patch of saplings, or even the edges of a swamp. These are good places to hunt.

Rubs And Scrapes

There will be an increase in both rubs and scrapes during the pre rut. Bucks will be checking scrape locations in search of any sign of the first estrus does. Finding a fresh scrape line may provide a good set up for a stand.

Good luck and be safe.

Related: Deer Hunting Tips