Scent Free Deer Hunting
The following is a plan for scent free deer hunting.
Supplies
- Rubber gloves
- Scent fighting spray
- Scent free soap,body wash, and shampoo
- Scent free deodorant
- Scent free detergent
- Scent free dryer sheets
- Large scent free storage bags
- Scent wafers
- Odor free body wipes
- Scent wicks
- Odorless or fresh earth cover scent
Odor Free Plan
1. Always wear rubber gloves when handling gear.
2. Wash towels and wash cloths to be used on deer hunting dates in scent free detergent. Place in dryer with scent free dryer sheets. Store in odor free storage bags until needed.
3. Wash all hunting garments in scent free detergent. Place in dryer along with dryer sheets. Once dried, hang outside and spray inside and out with scent fighting spray. Allow to dry. Place in storage bags along with a scent wafer.
4. Use scent fighting spray on boots interior and exterior. Dry outside. Place in storage bag with scent wafer.
5. On day of deer hunt, shower with scent free soap, body wash, and shampoo. Use previously prepared towel and wash cloths. Apply scent free deodorant afterwards.
6. Spray all gear and equipment with scent fighting spray. This includes anything to be used in the field.
7. When ever possible, dress in the field. Use body wipes for touch ups. Apply scent fighting spray to each layer of clothing. Wear rubber gloves while dressing and until in the deer stand or blind.
8. Upon arrival at the deer hunting stand or blind, set out scent wicks filled with cover scent in a circle around the site. Reapply scent fighting spray to outer garments. Attach a scent wafer to cap or other clothing.
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Aggressive Scrape Deer Hunting
Deer hunting near a scrape line can be advantageous at times. To improve on such hunting, take a more aggressive approach. This plan can be used during the early rut and late rut periods.
Supplies
- Rubber gloves
- Scent killing spray
- Quality string or fishing line
- Buck urine spray
- Doe in estrus urine
- Scent wicks
- Scent drippers
- Tree clippers
Preparation
Locate a heavily used travel area used by the deer. An area that already has one or more scrapes is alright but not necessary. The main idea is for the area to be active. A funnel leading from bedding areas to feeding areas are good choices.
If The Area Has Scrapes
1. Use a scent killing spray on clothing, boots, and all supplies.
2. Wear rubber gloves.
3. Fill scent drippers with doe in estrus urine.
4. Attach a scent dripper above each scrape that will be visible from stand locations.
5. Spray buck urine on any limbs that hang over the scrapes.
6. On the day of the hunt, place scent wicks filled with doe in estrus urine on limbs or on the ground in a circle surrounding the stand location. The wicks should be 10-20 yards from the stand with a clear shooting lane.
7. Remember to take wind directions into consideration when setting up stands.
Areas Without Scrapes
1. Use a stick to make several mock scrapes in a directional line along the area to be hunted. The scrapes can be 10-25 yards apart depending upon visibility.
2. Use clippers to cut holly tree or other type limbs that bucks commonly use in the area. This is to be placed above the mock scrape as an over hanging scent limb. Use the string or fishing line to secure.
3. Use steps 1-7 in the previous section.
This plan will allow the hunter to have better control when hunting on a scrape line. By taking an aggressive approach, the odds of success can be increased.
3 Concealment Tips
There is more to deer hunting than finding the right stand locations. In many cases, locating deer activity is the easy part. The problem many hunters forget to account for is proper concealment when approaching or exiting stand areas. This mistake can be the difference in success or failure.
Scent Control
When travelling to stand locations, make sure to take actions that will reduce leaving your scent in the area. Use scent control products to minimize odors. Don’t touch anything in the woods with bare hands. Walk in areas that do not rub against or come in contact with clothing. Wear rubber boots or boots that have scent control products built in.
Noise Control
Walking by itself creates noise. To help with this, the hunter needs to wear clothing that is naturally quiet to reduce noise. Use a stop and go process while walking slowly to the deer hunting area. Avoid walking in areas too thick for travel. Use trails that provide easy and quiet access. If the terrain does not offer a quiet approach, allow extra time and move at a slow pace.
Travel Routes
Picking the right travel routes to and from hunting locations is also important. Whenever possible, walk in directions that will approach the hunting areas directly across from or at an angle from any deer routes. Try to avoid walking parallel with or in the actual deer trails. This may require taking a longer route but will be beneficial in the long run.
By finding and using better travel routes, using proper scent control, and reducing noise, the chances for success are greatly improved.
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Deer Rattling Tips
Rattling offers the hunter an aggressive approach to deer hunting. Rattling can add excitement on days when the woods are quiet. The following are tips for learning how to rattle for deer.
Equipment
Shed antlers or antlers removed from harvested deer can be used for rattling. The antlers don’t have to be giant sized but rather comfortable to fit in the hand and have at least two tines on each. There are also synthetic antlers, rattle bags, and other products that are just as effective. Comfort and ease of use should be the determining factors.
Practice
The best way to learn how to rattle is by watching videos of other hunters in the field. There are also training videos available. Use this knowledge to practice and become proficient with the tools of the trade. The more time spent practicing the more comfortable one will be when using rattling tactics.
Position And Set Up
Rattling can be done from the ground or from a tree stand. Ground positions allow the hunter good concealment and the ability to move more frequently if desired. The tree stand often can provide a wider field of view and cover longer distances.
Regardless of what approach is used, the keys to success are concealment, being able to see in all directions, and hunting in areas that are most likely to hold deer. Another important factor is to see the deer before being seen.
Set up should be made in areas that provide a good field of view but also provide natural cover. Deer are more likely to respond to such areas as opposed to wide open places. The cover also allows the hunter more movement without being detected.
When To Rattle
The pre rut period is generally considered the best times of the season for rattling. Bucks are more likely to respond in preparation for the rut. However, the early or late seasons can also occasionally provide responses. It does not hurt to experiment throughout the deer hunting season.
Rattling Tips
Start out by softly rattling for a few seconds and then wait a few minutes to see if any deer are in the area and will respond. Afterwards, increase the volume of impact and aggressiveness slightly for 30-60 seconds. Wait 15-30 minutes and repeat. It is not necessary to rattle extremely loud unless focusing on deer from a long distance away or during windy day conditions that reduce noise.
After each sequence, glass the area with binoculars. Pay attention to any responses by the deer. Some deer may walk or run right in while others may sneak in. There may also be deer that run away from rattling.
As with any deer hunting situation, the use of scent control products as well as having a favorable wind direction is important. Experiment with different rattling sequences to see what works best in your area.
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Late Season Deer Hunting
Deer hunting during the late season is often considered less successful by many hunters. The logic is that the early seasons and the rutting periods are the best times for hunting. However, it is important to remember that there will be deer left over from the previously mentioned times and some of them will be mature bucks.
There are a couple of keys to finding success during the late season. The first is being able to find high quality food sources. These may be in the form of field crops or man made food plots. The deer will be seeking out these areas to replenish their bodies from the rutting periods as well as to make it through the winter months. Finding the high energy foods will result in locating the deer.
The next key is finding isolated areas or areas that have not had a lot of pressure put on the deer. Often this requires the hunter to move deeper into the property away from normal hunting locations. However, another suggestion would be to maintain farms or other areas that are to be hunted only during the late season. This way the areas are fresh for the last few weeks of the season.
By locating or maintaining late season food sources and hunting isolated or places that have not been pressured, the hunter improves on the chances of harvesting a late season deer.
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Recovering A Deer
After a shot is made on a deer, the best practise for recovery is to wait at least thirty minutes before approaching the location where the deer was standing. While waiting, make a mental note of that area as well as the last place in which the deer was seen.
Afterwards, quietly approach the area where the impact occurred. Look for any signs of the deer such as tracks, hair, disturbed ground, and blood. Don’t be too alarmed if blood is not found immediately. It often takes 10-30 yards before the blood will begin exiting the deer.
Blood And Hair
The following descriptions of blood provide color and possible impact locations.
- red – liver
- brownish red – stomach or intestinal
- bright red – arterial
- dark red – muscle, leg, groin, hind quarter
- pink red or bubbly – lungs
The following descriptions of hair provide color, length, and possible impact areas.
- white or brown – 1/4 to 3/4 inches – lower legs
- white or light gray – 2 1/2 to 3 inches – groin, stomach, intestinal
- brown or black – 1 3/4 to 2 inches – top of back
- gray or brown – 1 1/2 inches – chest, center hits
- thick dark brown – 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches – neck, brisket
- white – 3/4 to 1 inch – front leg
Signs of blood or hair that indicate a lung or arterial impact can be followed immediately and generally will produce the deer within 50 to 100 yards or less. Any other types of impact, it is best to wait 2-4 hours or more before trailing the deer. If the deer appears to be getting up after bedding down, stop and wait several more hours before continuing.
While trailing, use markers to indicate the direction of travel. This is important in case the trail is lost, a longer waiting period is required, or it is or becomes after sunset. On weak trails mark often, stronger trails can be marked less frequently.
If the trail is lost, mark the last signs found. From that point, divide the area into small sections ahead and to the right and left of the trail. Thoroughly search each section expanding the areas until the deer is found or until the trail resumes. Be aware that deer will sometimes circle back, so if a forward approach does not produce further sign, circle around the back trail to see if this may have occurred.
Regardless of how little sign is found, continue to search for the deer until located or until you are certain that the deer is not mortally injured. A slow approach is best and additional help in tracking is suggested.
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Handling Buck Fever
Defining And Symptoms Of Buck Fever
Buck fever is a term used by deer hunters that relates to becoming very nervous upon seeing or attempting to harvest a deer. Symptoms of buck fever include uncontrollable shaking, muscle pains or weakness, heavy breathing, a pounding heart beat, and an extreme feeling of mental pressure.
Mental Focus
To counteract these feelings, the hunter must learn to focus mentally and to control the emotions. Think positive, breath normally, and focus on the task at hand. There will be plenty of time after the shot for emotions to run wild.
- Focus – Picture in your mind making a good clean and accurate shot on the deer. This should be done not only when the attempt occurs, but also prior to and throughout the season. In a way you rehearse the events which helps prepare when the event happens.
- Positive Thinking – As with focus, positive thinking should take place prior to hunting conditions. Repeated positive thinking can improve on performance and allow the hunter to focus better.
- Breathing – To help control breathing, take long deep breathes and hold in for a few seconds before releasing slowly. This will also aid in the shakes and heart beat.
Practise Shooting
Regardless of the weapon to be used, repeated and consistent shooting skills will help ease buck fever. Shooting in the off season as well as throughout the deer season is required. This will prepare the body mentally and physically. Practise should be done under conditions similar to those found in the field. Place targets at different ranges and angles.
Add pressure to the practise by using a timer or have a friend tell you when and where to shoot. Work towards a five second rule, meaning from the word go to the actual shot is no more than five seconds long. The added pressure simulates deer hunting conditions and allows for better focus and attention.
There will always be some nervousness or excitement related to buck fever. However, maintaining composer through mental focus, breathing, and practising will help reduce and control the emotions.
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Adapting To Deer Activity
For most hunters, the deer hunting season begins with high expectations. Stand locations have been predetermined through scouting or previous experiences. However, hunters can have a let down if they fail to adapt to deer activity.
Although deer hunting sometimes goes according to plans, often there are times when the deer do not react as anticipated. This requires the hunter to rethink his game plan and be willing to adjust tactics in order for success.
The key here is being able to interpret current deer sign and activity. It is also important to be open minded and not be stubborn when it comes to deer hunting. Accept the fact that there are many things beyond the hunters control that will affect deer movement.
Weather, available food sources, cover, hunting pressure, and the deer rutting period are just a few factors that will affect deer activity.
To stay in the game, hunters should continue scouting and monitoring deer movement throughout the entire season. In doing so, one will be able to locate and set up according to where the most active deer sign occurs.
Adapting to changing conditions while in the field will greatly improve the chances for success.
Keep Deer Hunting Areas Fresh
Deer hunting a specific area of property often is most successful on the first few hunts. This is simply because the area id fresh and undisturbed. The deer have not been pressured and to a degree are caught off guard.
Regardless of the size of the property, it is best as a hunter to break the land into sections. Leave an area, or several areas if possible, alone and not do any hunting on it or at least wait until the deer rut or other prime times that offer the best chances of success.
This will be different depending upon how the property is set up. Some land is more suited for hunting during the deer rut while other land is more ideal to be hunted early or late season. This information can be gathered by monitoring deer activity in the given area.
If the property is large enough so that some of it can be left alone entirely, this will provide the deer with a safe zone. These areas will allow the deer to stay on the land without being disturbed.
This approach will often improve the hunting on the land. The reason is that the less pressure put on the deer, the more likely that the deer will be active during daylight hours.
Keeping the hunting areas fresh will keep the deer more relaxed. Since deer, especially mature bucks, are quick to go nocturnal when pressured, The less pressure a hunter puts on the land the better it will be.
No matter how well a hunter prepares for a hunt, repeated use of a specific area by the hunter will result in the deer avoiding the area. Scent, wind direction, noise, and using the same walking areas will only educate the deer and produce poor results.
Hunt smart, limit pressure, and keep the hunting areas as fresh as possible. By doing this in most cases the odds for success will greatly improve.
8 Deer Rut Tips
1. Be aware of the changing deer signs found throughout the area to be hunted. As the deer rut approaches, there will be more deer activity.
2. Look for and hunt well kept scrape lines during the early deer rut period. Deer hunting scrapes found leading from bedding areas to feeding areas can be very productive.
3. A rub line can also be an effective location to hunt during the early stages of the rut. As with scrape lines, more than one buck will make use of these areas.
4. Hunt near areas that offer good doe activity. Feeding and bedding areas that provide doe sightings will soon have bucks and will offer prime locations for the hunter.
5. Keep a watchful eye out for younger bucks that begin cruising or chasing after does. This is an obvious sign that the deer rut is near. Mature bucks will soon be more active.
6. Pay close attention to the body language of the does. A doe that is constantly looking back may be an indication that a buck is nearby.
7. As the deer rut progresses, find and hunt near isolated patches of cover. Does will frequent these areas and the bucks will follow.
8. After the initial phases of the deer rut, the bucks will return to thick cover to rest. Locating and deer hunting these areas hard can be very effective.
