novice deer hunter question
Question:
Check for fresh tracks at the water. In my area, hunting water only works when it’s very dry and the number of water sources are limited. Right now, there is water everywhere, so no one source is much better than any of the others. Look for tree rubs, ground scrapes, trails w/ fresh tracks and fresh droppings. Absent any sign, look for "funnels" to deer travel if you’re limited to the area where you hunt. Our "body count" on our 700 acre farm stands at 17 for this year, well toward the goal of 25! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Preparation is the single most important factor in any hunting. – The deer may be pressured into using other areas for escape when there is pressure from other hunters (within 7 miles!). – Is the area you are talking about close to a feeding site – their kitchen? They do most of their feeding in the night or low light conditions. – Hoe visible are you to the deer? ANY movement in the grass will be like a fire alarm in the woods. You need to think ambush. Unseen, unheard, unscented. Go to: http://gameandfish.about.com/library/weekly/blmn_index.htm?iam=dpile&… to learn more. I would reccommend getting out of the path, behind something – out of their natural awareness areas. Remember deer walk around with their nose to the ground alot. Good luck Scott > I hunted today for the first time not in a stand. Here’s the situation: > There was thick woods, then 75 yards of tall grass before a wattering hole. > I saw some trails to the hole but no droppings. If facing the woods the wind > was to my face, so I hunkered down in the grass halfway between the woods > and the water and watched the tree line. It was shotgun only, so distance > was a factor. I didn’t see any deer. What would you guys have done in this > situation? Did I pick the right place to park myself, or did I mess up? > Thanks! > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I just tagged my first one this week, so I am no expert. But one thing I have been told is that if you have the wind in your face, to scout into the wind to see if a better area is available, and if worse comes to worse to retreat downwind back to your original spot. As for me, I just happened to walk upon mine. All the acorn scent, grunts, rattlers, and doe scent didn’t do me squat! LOL Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I hunted today for the first time not in a stand. Here’s the situation: There was thick woods, then 75 yards of tall grass before a wattering hole. I saw some trails to the hole but no droppings. If facing the woods the wind was to my face, so I hunkered down in the grass halfway between the woods and the water and watched the tree line. It was shotgun only, so distance was a factor. I didn’t see any deer. What would you guys have done in this situation? Did I pick the right place to park myself, or did I mess up? Thanks! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> I hunted today for the first time not in a stand. Here’s the situation: > There was thick woods, then 75 yards of tall grass before a wattering hole. > I saw some trails to the hole but no droppings. If facing the woods the wind > was to my face, so I hunkered down in the grass halfway between the woods > and the water and watched the tree line. It was shotgun only, so distance > was a factor. I didn’t see any deer. What would you guys have done in this > situation? Did I pick the right place to park myself, or did I mess up? > Thanks!
You obviously know about the importance of playing the wind. But how was the cover you were hiding in. Deer comming to a water hole, especially one with a change from woods to water around it will stop to observe before steping from the woods. The older deer will likely approach from downwind. Sitting just inside the woods about 40 yards off the trail downwind of the water hole would be a good idea. It is possible since you were on the upwind side of the waterhole that the deer downwind were smelling you, and you were not looking in that direction so you didn’t see them. I am getting more and more certain that having the wind directly in your face is a bad idea, quartering into your face is better. Deer walking upwind (their perferred method) will not wind you. | / wind direction s sign you are hunting over (the place you expect to see deer example water hole.) y you . + d deer sneaking in using the wind. + . +++ . Henry Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
