Post by: ZagHunter on June 20, 2017, 03:22:38 PM
My question is when you first got into deer hunting, what are some things you did to learn more about it and become a better hunter? Are there any books, seminars, instructional DVDs, etc. that people found helpful? Obviously I understand there is no substitute for experience, but is there anything I can be doing now to make myself a better hunter?
Finally, any tips from more experienced hunters that they wish they knew when they were first starting out?
If this has been discussed already in another thread, please feel free to point me in that direction. Any advice is appreciated though. Thanks.
Post by: h20hunter on June 20, 2017, 03:24:43 PM
Post by: cooltimber on June 20, 2017, 03:27:23 PM
glass glass ---repeat
wind
Post by: Rainier10 on June 20, 2017, 03:39:01 PM
You have lots of time to make a good shot. Make sure it is a good shot. Once you shoot it is normally chaos after that. I didn't learn how much time you actually have until I started hunting with my kids. The amount of time that a deer stands there while I am trying to get them ready to shoot is unbelievable.
Post by: fish vacuum on June 20, 2017, 03:54:57 PM
Expect animals when you least expect it.
Post by: fishngamereaper on June 20, 2017, 04:05:44 PM
Post by: ZagHunter on June 20, 2017, 04:23:24 PM
Fishngamereaper, I plan on hunting either GMU 124 or 121 for whitetails.
Post by: opdinkslayer on June 20, 2017, 04:41:18 PM
Post by: Cab on June 20, 2017, 05:03:15 PM
1. if its before the rut, come mid day expect deer to be bedded down. This is a good time for you to make a new game plan, go to a new spot and figure out your evening hunt.
2. Acorns,Acrons,Acrons deer LOVE White oak acorns and this can be a great way to narrow down hunting spots. Is there a lot of acorn trees in this area or just 1? look for areas with a fair about of acorn trees all dropping.
3. bedding is HUGE, deer like elk like to bed down on hillsides 1/2-3/4 of the way up to the top this way they can use the thermal currents(day warms up, heat rises and so does scent) to smell whats below them. knowing this start your predicting where you think the deer are going to go. If its 7-9 in the morning I know that deer are starting to stage towards their bedding area.
4. treestands will completely change things for you. Hang ons are nice but I honestly pick my climber everytime. I have a summit viper and man is that a comfortable stand. Deer don't have any predators from above(other then humans so seasoned deer might look up if they've been shot at that year) so being 15-20ft above them makes a very big difference. its not a must but helps.
5. if you spook deer watch where they go! they are running to a place they deem "safe" this can tell you maybe where a bedding area is or where they like to hang out.
6.glassing areas before season starts if you can(fields or open country) at the start of the day or end of day and this may give you some useful intel where to start hunting.
7. if you see a deer stamp its foot and "blow"(often a doe) DO NOT MOVE. DO NOT TRY TO TAKE A SHOT. That means they know something isn't kosher. they will even do a fake where they lower they're heads to "feed" but then jerk it back up. this is a test, they are seeing if you are going to move. be patient if you can wait till the deers head goes behind a tree before drawing or aiming.
8. Deer don't see color all that well, what they do see well is movement!
9.So what deer lack in sight they make up for 10 fold with their nose. dont get caught up in the whole "scent control" bs just know your wind direction. know where your odor is going and make sure you maximize the area where the wind is coming from.
10. Once you have your first deer in sight the best thing you can do is breath, relax, stay focused and most of all PICK A SPOT!! Do look at the head gear don't look at the whole deer, just follow that front leg up to about center just above where their leg meets the body and focus on hitting that spot. I can't tell you how many deer I have missed that were "easy shots" because I didn't focus.
11. get ready for one of the most frustrating yet funnest addictions there is! Work hard, have fun and dont worry about score or anything. Just enjoy it all.
I could do this all day so feel free to hit me up with a PM if you have any questions I would be more then happy to help the best I can. If you want a great source pick up Steven rinellas book " The Complete Guide To Hunting,Butchering and cooking wild game vol.1" that will have everything you will need to know and it cost less then $20
Post by: ZagHunter on June 21, 2017, 07:55:16 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 21, 2017, 08:19:24 AM
Post by: Stein on June 21, 2017, 08:29:55 AM
Post by: Curly on June 21, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Post by: Rob on June 21, 2017, 10:54:20 AM
Post by: TL23 on June 21, 2017, 11:02:55 AM
Post by: OutHouse on June 21, 2017, 11:58:11 AM
Since you'll be hunting whites, be prepared for them to communicate with each other to alert others of your presence. And if you kick out a buck that runs away, STOP right where you are and find a place in the near vicinity to set up and wait. White tails, unless completely spooked out of their wits, will become curious as to what it was that spooked them. This often times leads them to circle back toward your location to check you out. One time a few years ago, I scared the same buck three times and each time he returned to check me out. He even got so close the last time to offer a shot opportunity (archery) but I blew it a fourth time!
Lastly, you will make a lot of mistakes and that's fine. I have drawn my bow many, many times on animals only to scare them off during the draw or from movement or sound.
Post by: OltHunter on June 21, 2017, 01:07:11 PM
If you have Netflix, binge Meateater and check their videos out on YouTube. There are lots of good videos on hunting, tactics, butchering, field dressing, and cooking that most other shows on TV do not focus on.
Rinella's book, The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game, is another great resource if you are looking for a good read as a beginner.
Get a good pair of boots and rain gear if you can afford it.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 21, 2017, 01:47:52 PM
Post by: Smoke on June 21, 2017, 02:52:33 PM
Post by: Jimmy33 on June 21, 2017, 03:39:02 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: ZagHunter on June 22, 2017, 09:13:57 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 22, 2017, 09:15:56 AM
Learn how to shoot your weapon of choice well...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
:yeah: This!
Post by: dmoua on June 22, 2017, 10:36:44 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on June 22, 2017, 10:43:09 AM
Post by: Bob33 on June 22, 2017, 10:48:11 AM
That's not meant to be snide; I know hunters who hunt the same spots year after year and never kill anything because the area doesn't hold much game.
You've got time to scout and secure good places to hunt.
Good luck.
Post by: Cab on June 23, 2017, 08:34:18 AM
Hunt where the deer are. If you don't, nothing else matters.
That's not meant to be snide; I know hunters who hunt the same spots year after year and never kill anything because the area doesn't hold much game.
You've got time to scout and secure good places to hunt.
Good luck.
100% it seems simple but I have buddies that will hunt the same spot over and over because "one time" they had luck or saw a good buck. dont be lazy, burn that boot leather!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 23, 2017, 08:53:28 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 23, 2017, 09:00:29 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 23, 2017, 09:03:44 AM
Post by: Huntingtony on July 13, 2017, 03:03:35 AM
Post by: yakimanoob on July 13, 2017, 08:36:10 AM
If at all possible, try to find an experienced hunter to take you hunting or scouting that has similar or better ethics than you do.+1 for this. Also check out Randy Newberg's videos on YouTube.
If you have Netflix, binge Meateater and check their videos out on YouTube. There are lots of good videos on hunting, tactics, butchering, field dressing, and cooking that most other shows on TV do not focus on.
Rinella's book, The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game, is another great resource if you are looking for a good read as a beginner.
Get a good pair of boots and rain gear if you can afford it.
I just bought Rinelle's complete guide and have been pouring over it. It's a fantastic resource and at $21 delivered you can't get a better education:cost ratio.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 13, 2017, 08:51:35 AM
Pianoman where you hunting at as this new hunter can just hunt there or go with you.
He says he's hunting the NE part, while we are going to be hunting in the SW. :dunno: