Know Your Deer Food Sources
Deer food is obviously an important factor in finding deer. Deer hunting land that offers a variety of deer food sources normally will hold more deer. Hunters need to know what types of food for deer is available on their property in order to be more productive.
Food For Deer
The food sources that a hunting property holds are usually easy to identify. This is because deer will eat a wide range and variety of foods. There are many farmland field crops such as beans and corn. There are fruits such as apples or crab apples. Acorns and other nuts are a favorite. Deer will eat hundreds of browse type foods. Modern hunters often plant special food plots specifically for the deer.
Hunt Active Deer Food
In most cases, locating such food does not present a problem for hunters. The issue that hunters face is determining which food is most likely to be eaten at a specific time frame and which area is the most active. The best way to remedy this is to be aware of when each food source is available and to keep constant checks on those areas.
Monitoring Deer Food
A smart hunter will keep good field notes each season while monitoring the available food sources. This is important because many times the food for deer will change from year to year. Browse type foods are the only constant from one season to another. Due to certain conditions, field crops, fruits, and nuts are not always available on consecutive hunting seasons.
Hunting Deer Food Sources
Through proper scouting skills, a hunter should be able to determine which foods the deer are actively feeding on. These locations will offer the best areas for deer hunting and good chances for harvesting the deer.
Know the land, know the deer food, and you will know where to hunt the deer.
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Bow Shooting Tips
Bow Shooting Tips – Hunters that venture into the woods with bow and arrow in hand face many challenges. One of the most important is the ability to accurately and effectively make shots on whitetails. Field experience provides the best training for becoming efficient. However, a few basic skills will get you started.
When To Draw
Ideally the best time to draw a bow on a whitetail is when the deer’s vision can not detect any movement by the hunter. Often this occurs when the deer passes behind a tree or some other natural cover. If the eyes on the whitetail can be seen, the deer can see the hunter. Since shooting a bow requires considerable movement, the hunter must always be aware of the deer’s field of view.
Angle Of The Deer
The angle in which a whitetail is standing can also create problems. The ideal angle for an accurate clean shot is with the deer standing broad side or slightly quartering away from the hunter. Any other shot reduces the chances of success and increases the chance of a non fatal shot.
When To Shoot
The best time to take a shot on a whitetail is when the deer presents a clear and open field of view for the hunter. Make sure the angle is right and that the deer is in range of your shooting skills. Always stay alert as often there is only a small window of opportunity before the deer will pass by. Make sure to use proper follow through and watch the impact of the arrow.
Good luck and be safe.
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Deer Hunting With Kids
I grew up in a farming and hunting community in the south. During those days deer hunting was more of a necessity for food than anything else although it did offer much enjoyment. Every year after the field work was completed, the anticipation turned towards the upcoming deer season. Groups of adult hunters would gather together at an old cabin to begin hunting preparations. Along with the adults were also children.
The kids were always given an active part in helping out with a variety of duties. These may be cleaning the cabin, stacking fire wood, trimming out driving or shooting lanes, and stand placements. In my opinion, these activities helped build character, helped with socialization skills, and created many life long bonds with others.
Once the actual deer season arrived, the kids were allowed to participate in the hunts. Although not all were old enough to use a gun, they still were able to find enjoyment waiting on stands hoping to see a deer. There was also the chance that the child could witness a deer harvest. This gave the kids something special to look forward to.
The kids were taught to be safety minded and ethical hunters. As they grew older, and accustomed to shooting, they were allowed to carry their own gun. This offered the kids the first chance at harvesting a deer for themselves.
As one of those kids, I can recall many years of enjoyment that has continued on into adulthood. Today, I have children of my own and have given them similar opportunities to learn about and experience wonderful moments in the deer woods.
For me, seeing their smiling faces as they make their way along a trail towards a stand is what life’s all about. Each year as they have grown older only brings more joy and happiness for us all.
Until next time, be safe, good luck, and enjoy your next hunting experience with a child.
Go Blind For Deer
Heavily pressured deer often learn to look up for danger. This is why more and more hunters are discovering that tree stands don’t always work best for deer hunting. In some of the areas that I hunt, I have noticed deer spend as much time searching in trees as they do watching at ground level. The use of a ground blind can often provide for a better set up.
Most of today’s ground blinds are made for an easy and quick set up. They are light weight and come in packs equipped with shoulder straps allowing the hunter a simple carrying method. Blinds come in an assortment of camouflaged patterns that will fit into just about any hunting situation. They are made with both doors and windows that allow the hunter several choices for shot selections. In many cases, once removed from the pack, they spring up on their on. Such advances in technology certainly come in handy for the hunter.
Ground blinds can be used near travel zones, bedding areas, feeding areas, or any where else that a tree stand can be used. The one advantage obviously, is that blinds can also be placed in locations that stands can not. This provides the hunter with more choices and more opportunities at getting closer to that buck.
The main thing to remember when using a ground blind is to always hunt scent free. Take extra precautions to eliminate human odors from your body, clothing, equipment, and also the blind. Use a scent controlling product to thoroughly spray both the inside and outside of the blind.
So when the hunting gets tough from the tree, it may be time to go blind for deer. Good luck and be safe.
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10 Deer Hunting Tips
A list of 10 deer hunting tips.
1. Practice Shooting
Prior to using any weapon in the field, always practice with it first. Shoot at ranges that are expected during the actual hunting season. Always use the same type of arrows or ammunition that will be used in the field. If you will be hunting from a blind or tree stand, practice using this equipment. Never enter the woods with a weapon that you are unfamiliar with.
2. Wear Safety Gear
Always use proper safety gear while climbing or using a tree stand. There have been many improvements over the years to aid hunters. Today’s equipment is made for both support as well as ease of use and comfort. A safety vest works extremely well. It can be worn to and from the stand for convenience.
3. Limit Excess Noise
The hunter will make some noise while walking to a hunting location. To reduce walking sounds, try to walk softly by placing your weight down on the outer edges of your feet first. Then role the feet inward to its normal position. This will take a little practice. If you happen to snap a branch or make some other sound, stop and wait a few minutes before continuing.
4. Scouting Deer
Deer scouting should be done prior to and throughout the hunting season. As the deer activity changes, so should the hunting techniques. Look for signs of food sources, bedding areas, breeding activity, watering holes, and travel routes. Pay attention and adapt to deer movement. Take good field notes and use maps as well as trail cameras. Keep a daily hunting journal that includes wind directions, weather conditions, and any sightings of deer sign or activity.
5. Scent Control
Always use scent control products while deer hunting. This includes proper boots and clothing as well as soaps, shampoo, and detergents. Use wafers or sprays while in the woods. Since smell is a deer’s primary weapon, controlling human odors needs to be a priority. Never enter the woods without proper scent control.
6. Pay Attention To The Wind
The wind can often play a factor in hunting situations. It is not uncommon to have wind directions change while on stand. If this occurs, often it is better to leave and return under better conditions. Especially if hunting a mature buck, it is better to be safe than sorry. Ideally you want to be set up downwind of suspected deer movement.
7. Proper Clothing
Since the hunting season is filled with changing conditions, always pack enough clothing to adjust as needed. Often in the early season the mornings and evenings are cooler than midday temperatures. Add a jacket or coveralls to your backpack. During the colder periods of the season, it is better to have too much clothing than not enough. You can always remove items if need be but you can’t add what you don’t pack. Also don’t forget the rain suit.
8. Hunt Water Holes
Although a watering hole hunt may not seem overly exciting, done properly it may produce a surprise chance at a good buck. Deer need water several times a day during warm weather and also during rutting periods. Deer prefer watering areas that are surrounded by or offer good cover. Clean, fresh water is not necessarily the best as deer are often found near swamps or ponds.
9. Use Equipment
There are many different types of equipment that can be used in the field. Take advantage of such things as binoculars, trail cameras, tree stands, and ground blinds. Don’t be afraid to experiment with rattling antlers, grunt calls, decoys, and deer lures. Other such tools such as folding saws and hand shears will always come in handy.
10. Change Tactics
Learn to use and take advantage of the different deer hunting tactics. If you primarily hunt from a stand or blind, try giving still hunting or stalking a chance. If you are a gun hunter, take up bow hunting. The more time spent in the woods during changing seasonal conditions only offers a better chance for success.
Use these deer hunting tips to improve your skills. As always be safe and good luck.
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3 Early Deer Hunting Tips
During the early deer hunting season many hunters prefer to take up stands on field edges. This is a worthy approach since there are often numerous field crops available for food. There are however other methods that can be very effective. Here are 3 deer hunting tips to get you started.
Morning Bedding Areas
Locate bedding areas that deer are using after feeding in the morning. Most deer will leave a food crop field before or shortly after day break. Instead of trying to hunt the fields, move deeper into the woods near the bedding areas. This will provide an opportunity to catch the deer during early daylight hours.
The secret to hunting these areas is to get as close as possible without being detected. Find an approach that avoids the travel areas of the deer allowing for an easy entrance and exit. Taking a long way around to these locations is often the better approach.
Find Staging Areas
Once the hunting season starts, often deer will wait until after dark before entering fields to feed. They wait in staging areas. A staging area is simply a location inside the woods that provide secure cover for the deer. These areas are where deer come after getting up from their beds. The staging areas are usually 25-50 or more yards away from the chosen food source.
Placing a stand in these locations often provides the opportunity for a shot during day light hours. The hunter needs to be in such locations early enough as to not spook deer headed towards them. A two hour minimum is suggested.
Early Acorns
Acorns are a favorite food source of deer. Even though field crops are in abundance during the early hunting season, deer will seek out the acorns. There is a problem for hunters though, often there are too many places that hold acorns. This provides many options for deer to feed.
The secret to hunting around acorns is to locate places that have a limited surplus. This will reduce the options for the deer and increase the chances for the hunter. Since the deer will have fewer choices, the hunter can set up a stand with a greater chance at seeing deer.
Following these deer hunting tips may offer a better chance at success. As always good luck and be safe.
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Hunting Invisible In Trees
An important factor in deer hunting is the ability to stay out of a deer’s line of sight. In order to accomplish this a hunter must become invisible. Here are some helpful deer hunting tips for obtaining this task.
Hunting In Trees With Cover
A hunter that takes advantage of tree stands is already on track. Being above deer eye level is a plus. However at times this is not enough. A hunter must use all available resources. Try to position a stand in a larger tree than the hunters back. This will help in breaking up outlines. A tree with leaves, limbs, and branches are obviously better than a straight tree with no cover.
Hunting In Trees Without Cover
In some cases, the only available tree will not offer cover. To counter this, cut and attach small limbs to the tree or stand. Small pieces of rope can be used. There are also manufactured products made specifically for this purpose. Another option is the tree stand cover/blind products that are available. These are generally thin camouflaged materials that come with hooks or clamps. Another option is the synthetic limb/branch type systems. These are also made to attach to stands or to the tree.
Camouflage Clothing
The last next of invisibility is the hunter’s clothing. This may seem obvious but is often overlooked. The choice of what pattern of camouflage to use makes a difference. This will change with the time of season as well as the hunting location. Always match patterns with what is naturally available in the area to be hunted. The same applies to early, mid, and late seasons. As the trees change, so to should the camouflage clothing patterns.
Shadows
Another thing to remember is to take advantage of shadows. Always avoid sitting in a stand that is in direct sunlight. Change locations or wait until the stand is in the shade. Deer will detect hunter movement quickly in sunlight. The use of shadows will reduce detection as there is no longer a bright silhouette.
Use these deer hunting tips for better field success. As always be safe and good luck.
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Hunting Deer Undetected
One of the primary factors in a successful deer hunting strategy is keeping deer guessing. Once the season begins and hunters start entering the woods, deer will become alarmed. The goal of the hunter then is to limit being detected. These deer hunting tips offer some suggestions.
Entering The Woods
One task for being undetected is how to enter the woods. The hunter should have several access locations available. This will help when wind direction changes. This is also good at limiting contact with deer while walking. Using the same path repeatedly will get the hunter patterned causing deer to avoid those areas.
Move Often
Another idea is for the hunter to avoid hunting the same area repeatedly. Always have several stand or blind options available. On average, try not to hunt a specific area more than two or three days in a row. This will help in reducing the chances of being detected by deer. This does not mean that the entire property needs to be avoided. But rather individual stand or blind locations. Move several hundred yards away.
Controlling Scent
The next factor in staying undetected is scent control. This by far is probably the most important. If a deer smells a hunter the game is over. While the deer’s vision and hearing abilities are good, the nose is supreme. A hunter must always take precautions in controlling human odors. There are hundreds of products available to assist the hunter. Always take advantage of those products.
Use these helpful deer hunting tips for remaining undetected. They may increase the chances for success. As always good luck and be safe.
Deer Hunting Shot Selection
After all the hard work and preparation, the moment of truth has arrived. The deer that you have been hunting is approaching your stand. The heart is racing, the nerves are shook up. The only question now is are you ready to make a quality shot on this animal.
The answer is yes. The only shot that anyone should ever make on a deer is a quality shot. If the deer never presents such an opportunity, then the proper thing to do is let him pass. Now with that said, there is a difference between perfect and quality. In a perfect situation, the deer is standing still, broadside, unalarmed, and well within range. These conditions do occasionally occur but often hunters are forced to make quick shot selection decisions.
The decision of whether or not to shoot is based on several factors. One of those factors is skill level. How accurate is the hunter with the choice of weapon being used. Only time practicing will indicate this. The hunter should know his comfort zone and never attempt any shot that is beyond his skills. Just because someone on television made a 45 yard shot with a bow doesn’t mean everyone should try it.
Another factor is the field of view. In real deer hunting situations, often there are obstacles that the hunter has to take into consideration. Tree limbs and bushes, for example, can make a relatively decent shot somewhat of a challenge. Always pay attention to surroundings. The best practice is to pick out areas around the hunting location that are cleared for shooting. If the deer is anywhere else, don’t shoot.
Another factor is the position of the deer and angle of the shot. Ideally, a broadside or quartering away shot to the chest area is best. Any other shot increases the chances of a miss, a non fatal hit, or at the very least it will result in a poor recovery effort. The secret here is to be patient and wait for the best quality shot. If it never presents itself, then let the deer pass.
Some of the best tips for deer hunting are to practice, be patient, know your skill level, and make a quality shot. Good luck and be safe.
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Still Hunting Tactics
Deer hunting tips: Still hunting is the art of moving slowly and quietly through the woods in an attempt to stalk or sneak up on a deer. Still hunting by far is one of the most challenging of all deer hunting tactics. With that being said, it is also one of the most rewarding. Many hunters have never experienced this type of hunting. They spend most of their time sitting in trees or blinds. But if one is to give this form of hunting a try, it will be worth the effort, regardless if deer are taken or not.
Learning how to still hunt and using these skills will greatly increase the overall success in the field. The hunter gathers more information about his quarry that can then be used in other forms of hunting. The hunter becomes closer in spirit and nature allowing for more productive hunts. This learning takes time and in most cases lots of trial and error.
Deer Movement Knowledge
To start, hunters must have a good idea of movement patterns used by deer. This information, gathered through scouting and observing, is critical if the hunter is to incorporate still hunting into one’s bag of tricks. One has to know where the deer are coming from and where they are headed to. Once this knowledge has been gathered, following basic guidelines will give the hunter the chance of seeing and possibly taking deer while still hunting.
Fundamentals
Before the hunter begins, there are a few fundamentals that need to occur. Dressing in a camouflage pattern that is relevant to the area to be hunted is highly important. This includes face and hands. The clothing should be a style that is soft to touch and does not make any noise when pressed against limbs or bushes. The boots worn need to be flat bottomed with soft soles. All equipment including weapon must be camouflaged and noise proof. The hunter should be scent free and use cover scent.
Timing
Assuming the hunter has found and understands deer movement, the early morning hours are generally considered the best times to still hunt. This is because deer are at their most relaxed during this time of day and somewhat less cautious, if that is at all possible. Being at a good location at daybreak when deer are in a moving pattern is the best approach.
Sight And Movement
The hunter needs to condition one’s self to do more watching with less moving. Taking three to five short, extremely slow steps, then observing for ten to twenty minutes before moving again. Effort should be made to avoid stepping on and breaking any branches or walking through thick dry leaves. Slow is the way to go. Again slow is the way to go. Understand, move extremely slowly.
Each step made by the hunter changes the field of view. Therefore watchful eyes are important. The hunter needs to look for parts of a deer, not the whole deer. Tails flickering, ears twitching, antlers, white patches, and horizontal lines moving through vertical trees. The hunter spends more time observing and less time walking.
The hunter should try and stay downwind of deer if at all possible. The best approach on deer is from behind. If the hunter is able to use these two conditions properly, the odds will always be in the hunter’s favor. Also, move towards located deer while they have their heads down or are facing away from the hunter. Always moving extremely on final approach.
Deer have extremely good eyesight, excellent hearing, and of course the best nose in the woods. By moving slowly, using cover scent, and not making unnecessary sounds, the hunter can counter attack these defenses. The hunter must however be able to see the deer before being detected in order to be successful.
These deer hunting tips about still hunting are based on the knowledge that the hunter has educated himself in deer movement and knowledge of the area to be hunted. Use these to add excitement to the hunting adventure. Expect failure but enjoy the hunt. In time, when success happens, the hunter will greatly appreciate the newly found tactics. As always good luck and be safe.
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