Hunting is an overwhelming activity especially for a beginner. To make it easy I’ve given a few basic and important tips to start hunting with. Rest of the things you can learn along the way.
Deer Hunting Gear
Even seasoned hunters frequently find themselves in the middle of a sentence that begins, “Oh, I forgot my (insert item here).” Therefore, hunting checklists are so crucial, particularly when preparing for a multi-day deer hunt. There are many examples of well-made checklists on the internet, but I always apply my own method.
Go extra slow
Most of us don’t move slowly enough or stay stationary long enough when still-hunting. Make use of your watch as a reference point. Choose a time limit for standing stationary, such as five minutes. You’ll be compelled to be quiet and silent for a minimum of time, and possibly longer if required.
Get rid of your smell
Deer have sharp sense of smell. When you think you have covered your bodily odors you actually haven’t, and deer can still smell it’s you. Showering and washing your gear is not enough. You have to use odorless soap and shampoo designed for hunting. You can even keep your gear in a chest filled with leaves and pine needles to really mask the smell.
Be quiet
Deer are also better at hearing than humans. Make the least amount of noise possible. This may be accomplished by parking a long distance away from your stand and walking softly.
Stop moving for many minutes if you inadvertently create a loud noise while hiking. Any deer who has heard you and is now on high alert will have time to settle down.
Put your stand in the right place
There are a few decent alternatives available to you. Ridges are useful because they provide an excellent view while also preventing your smell from reaching nearby deer. Another nice spot is the edge of a field. Deer enter fields through the corners to eat, so set up your stand in a tree just off the corner and wait for them to arrive. Finally, consider positioning your stand at a crossroads of various bed-to-feed pathways. This will increase your chances of seeing a deer using one of the pathways.
Put your stand up early in the hunting season
Deer, especially the older, smarter ones you’ve been keeping an eye on, are aware of changes in the woods. If you hang your stand early in the season, the deer will become accustomed to it and will not be alarmed. They will be more likely to cross its route as a result of this.
Practice getting into your stand
Practice getting into your stand once you’ve set it up. This way, when the time comes, you’ll be able to sneak in and take your position without being noticed. In the dark, you’ll be less likely to fall out of it as you ascend and descend the tree.
Sweep away blind clutter
If you’re sitting in a ground blind or standing next to a tree, sweep away leaves and brush with your boot so the area you’re in is clean of forest debris. This will eliminate unnecessary noise if you must make a move when an animal approach.
Pay attention to the wind
A skilled hunter will know the wind direction before leaving in the morning so that he can stay downwind of the deer, but there’s more to it than that. Thermals, which are warm rising air that deer follow in the morning and evening, might give you a hint as to where the deer will pass your stand.
Don’t leave for lunch
Bring something to eat with you. Most hunters don’t, and about midday, they’ll start to grow hungry. When everyone leaves the woods at the same moment, the pressure will cause deer to flee. Outsmart your teammates and stay the course.
Judge the pace
Also, attempt to predict where the animal will be once you’ve finished stalking. If the quarry is actively eating or travelling, observe it for a long time before starting to establish its direction and rate of movement. Choose your destination carefully.
Don’t call too often
If you’re going to utilise deer calls, don’t overdo it. You must provide time for any deer who has heard the call to approach you. Too much noise might startle a neighbouring deer, or at the very least alert it to the fact that something isn’t quite right. Waiting between calls for 20-30 minutes is a good idea.
The rut might last longer than you think
Not everyone enters and exits estrus at the same time. Furthermore, if a doe did not mate the first time she was in estrus, she will enter it again. Over the years, more experienced bucks have learnt this, and even after the peak rut, they’ll be hunting for the remaining few does to mate with. Don’t instantly discard all of your rut-busting strategies. They could still try to procure a trophy deer for you.
Let the deer run
Don’t leap from your position and chase down the first deer you’ve shot. This will just increase your chances of losing it. Before checking for the blood trail, wait at least 30 minutes. A deer that has been fatally shot will generally lie down and die only a few hundred yards distant. If you pursue it, it may run much further.
Don’t approach a dropped animal immediately
Don’t rush up to your kill after you’ve discovered it. Even though it appears to be dead, it may not be. If you approach it and scare it, you will be too near to intervene. Instead, make some noise or toss a rock or two from afar. It’s generally safe to go in if it still doesn’t reply.
Drag your kill out the easy way
It might be exhausting to drag a deer out of the woods. Make things as simple as possible for yourself. Deer carts and sleds with harnesses are ideal, but if you don’t have one, a rope tied to a stick can be used to shift the weight over your shoulders. Keep the deer’s shoulders off the ground, while we’re on the subject of shoulders. They grab on debris and make your task much more difficult.
