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.
