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Hunting . . . Wild and Tame

Deer Hunting

To Begin the Hunt

By Tim Hodginson

Understanding the deer’s movements of when and where they feed, drink and bed down, and camouflaging yourself to match the kind of terrain you are hunting are perhaps the most important parts to hunting deer. And the type of firearm or bow you use play a big factor in the hunt, too. Several weeks before the hunt, practice with your firearm. Have your bow tuned and gun sighted in for the optimal distance necessary. You now have an advantage over the deer to pursue them in the hunt and bag that big buck or doe you have anticipated getting.

Then there is also the type of hunting you prefer. Whether it be Still Hunting, Treestand Hunting, or Jumping your deer while bedded down for the day.

Still Hunting is when you are hunting from an area you have scouted out before season and you stand next to a tree or hunt from a brushy area or fallen trees and sit and wait for your deer to move into the area. Sometimes the wait takes much longer than anticipated but the deer will eventually move into the area Keep a good look out for movement and the shape of a deer hiding. Using this kind of hunting you may also need the use of a cover scent to help hide your scent and smell more like the area you are in. Use of scents such as Deer in Rut, Deer Musk, Apple Scent, and a good one is Acorn Scent especially if you are near acorn trees.

Then you have Treestand Hunting. You purchase a treestand of your choice from a prominent dealer and before the season, you familiarize yourself with the techniques used to climb the tree and get into the position needed to get a clear shot without being hindered by limbs or leaves obstructing your view and shot. Remember, Treestand Hunting is dangerous and you must abide by all the safety rules and wear your safety harness or belt that is supplied with your stand for your own safety. A good height to hunt from a treestand is around 15 to 20 feet for optimal sight and to help keep your scent from getting to the area of the deer to spook them. This is why it is dangerous, because of the height you need to hunt from. A cover scent is still recommended for this type of hunt.

Then there is the Jump type Hunting. And for this type of hunt, a cover scent is highly recommended. Here you go into the area previously scouted out by you and when you enter the area you begin by slowly walking and observing for any kind of movement and see if you can see the outline such as the back or even the antlers of the deer hiding between trees or in tall grass or brush whatever your area consists of. Once you have slowly walked into the area, now you stop for a couple of minutes and look for any kind of movement possibly being a deer. After a short time, slowly take about ten steps, trying not to step on twigs or leaves, and stop and look again. Keep doing this through-out your hunt until you see the deer you seek and get a shot to bag your deer.

Of the three types of hunting listed above, if you try one and don't get your deer, do not give up. Remember, hunting is not easy and you do not always get what you seek. It is a game of chance and you may be the lucky one to get your deer.

Try these kinds of hunting and remember , Always use safety and do not aim at something moving in brush or tall grass unless you know for sure that it is in fact a deer and not another hunter in your area. Always use Hunter Orange in your clothing such as a hat or vest to keep yourself visible to other hunters. SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR IN ALL TYPES OF HUNTING, FOR YOU AND OTHER HUNTERS.....

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Updated - Monday, February 13, 2006 06:36:57 PM