Deer Hunting
Deer Hunting Tips
To be successful in the deer hunting field, one must learn to understand the many habits of deer. Although deer can at times be patterned, the hunter has to pay attention to changing environment and feeding areas.
The hunter also needs to be aware of the breeding habits of deer. Throughout the hunting season, deer activity continually changes. For these reasons, hunters need to become educated through the use of observation and scouting techniques.
The best tip that anyone can offer is to spend as much time in the field as possible. Through trial and error, success will follow. There will be times when the hunter does every thing right and still fails to harvest a deer.
There will also be times when mistakes are made but lady luck provides for success. Learn as much as you can and understand that learning is a lifetime commitment. Deer will often surprise even the most veteran of hunters. Never underestimate these wary and wise creatures.
Always keep an open mind when hunting. Be willing to experiment and don’t rely only on what everybody else is doing. Not all hunting tips work in all areas. Find what works for you, improve and stick with it.
Additional Deer Hunting Tips:
Bow Hunting Tips
- Use proper shooting form while in the field.
- Always follow through with shots until impact.
- Concentrate on each shot mentally focusing on accuracy.
- Keep the bow and all equipment tuned and working properly.
- Always spend time practicing before hunting with a bow.
Shooting Tips
- Make sure the deer’s vision is blocked before preparing for a shot.
- Place shots on deer standing broadside or quartering away.
- Take the first open and accurate shot available.
- Only take shots within your skill level.
- Always think safety first.
Concealment And Camouflage
- Use proper camouflage that matches the terrain to be hunted.
- Take advantage of available cover such as trees, bushes, leaves, etc.
- Don’t hunt the same area repeatedly.
- Limit movement to prevent detection by deer.
- Don’t make a lot of noise while walking or on stand.
Concealment And Camouflage For Deer
Tree Stands
- Always use proper safety equipment while using a stand.
- Only climb to heights that you are comfortable with.
- Position stands in trees that provide limbs or leaves as cover.
- Add additional cover on trees without limbs.
- Before placing a stand, find your entry and exit route.
Ground Blinds
- Blinds are handy in areas that don’t provide trees for stands.
- Blend blinds with natural terrain such as limbs, leaves, or grasses.
- Choose a camouflage pattern that matches the area to be hunted.
- Use cover scents to remove manufactured and human odors on blinds.
- Use available limbs, leaves, vines, etc. to make a natural ground blind.
Weather Hunting Tips
- Light rainy days are effective for hunting deer.
- Deer are often active during light fog days.
- Early warm days of the season can be effective.
- A good quality rain suit will make rain more tolerable.
- Dress in layers when the temperature drops below freezing.
Food Sources
- Field crops can be good early season locations.
- Pay attention to what food sources are available.
- Corn fields provide great still hunting opportunities.
- A small isolated growth of acorn trees is often very productive.
- Deer will eat a variety of field crops, fruits, nuts, and browse.
Rattling, Grunting, Decoys
- Use rattling during the early rutting period for best success.
- Grunt calls work well throughout the rut.
- A deer decoy provides a visual effect for deer.
- Make sure decoys are free of any human odors.
- Place decoys in areas that will be seen by deer.
The Rutting Period
- Use rattling and grunting techniques.
- Locate and hunt near feeding, bedding, travel areas of does.
- Stay longer or hunt all day during the rut.
- Rubs and scrapes are good areas during early rut.
- Find the does and you will find the bucks.
Deer Scouting Tips
- Keep field notes of found deer sign.
- The use of trail cameras can be a helpful tool.
- Maps, aerial photos, and topographical maps can come in handy.
- Scouting after the season is very productive for the following year.
- Scouting is used for locating any signs of deer activity.
Strategies And Tactics
- Hunt the freshest deer sign.
- Hunt food, bedding, and travel areas.
- Hunt the rutting period.
- Be persistent and don’t allow frustrations to make poor decisions.
- Learn and keep notes about the deer in your area.
Scent Control
- Always pay attention to wind directions
- Hunt downwind of suspected deer movement
- Use odor eliminating products.
- Store hunting clothing in odor free storage containers.
- Always remove odors from your body, equipment, and clothing.
Deer Hunting Articles
The following is a list of deer hunting articles that offer helpful tips for better success in the field. This information is based on proven techniques and field experience of the author. Take some of the knowledge that you can use and incorporate them into your hunting trips.
Deer Hunting Tips – List of articles.
Deer Hunting Permission - How to obtain permission to hunt.
Deer Hunting Preparation - How to prepare for deer season.
Deer Basics - The art of deer hunting.
3 Early Deer Hunting Tips - Tactics for hunting the early part of the season.
10 Deer Hunting Tips - Helpful tips for success.
Deer Hunting Assets - The fundamental basics for hunting.
