Deer hunting teaches a lot of valuable life lessons. In particular, the attitudes of patience and the priority of preparation are two traits that can be internalized through hunting, and we want to focus on those today. Here are four tips for deer hunting, all four of which boil down to two things: be patient and be prepared.
If you internalize those two attitudes as you follow these four tips, you are guaranteed to get something out of your next hunt. Here are four ways to improve yourself as a deer hunter:
1. Think Small
Knowing just a few spots intimately is much better than wandering aimlessly across the countryside. Think 35-75 acres, and then master that area. Learn where deer are bedding. Learn what the deer in the area eat, and where those food sources are. Learn and map what travel sources they use to get from bedding areas to food sources. Map out every food source, bedding area and ridge. Scouting deer is a practice in patience and perseverance.
2. Cover Escape Routes
When there’s a lot of hunters in the area walking around on opening day, sit tight. Be ready to do so for as long as possible. All it takes is for one hunter to push deer out of the cover and through an escape route. Wait on the deer, and be ready. Everything can change in a moment’s notice when you’re on the side of the mountain, especially if you’ve scouted well and discovered a nice escape route.
3. Be Aware of What Other Hunters Are Doing
When it comes to hunting a busy-ish area, you need to use others’ tactics and approaches to your advantage. If other hunters are out walking around, stay put. Let them do the legwork for you – they’ll push deer out into the open if you stay sat down. If other hunters are driving around looking for deer off the road, get out and walk along fence lines and ditches. Deer may be bedding down out of sight, and you’ll often find them in these spots.
4. Always Be Alert
Your hunt will begin as soon as you set foot out of your vehicle. We’ve all heard stories about so-and-so’s cousin that woke up from a mid-day nap and opened the trailer door to shoot a monster buck standing 75 yards away, or so-and-so’s uncle that drove into his area and shot a trophy buck in the middle of the road three minutes into the hunt on the opening weekend. These may sound too-good-to-be-true, but they do illustrate an important note; you can never be too ready. Deer are everywhere, and fortune favors the prepared.
Another important part of being prepared is scouting correctly. In order to have the most knowledge about deer and their habits and habitats, you must put in the time to get some trail cam pictures. An important part of this process is choosing the correct deer attractant. Critter Lick is a researched, proven combination of all-natural ingredients. Not only does it attract more deer to the area, but it also increases the health of the deer. Learn more about Critter Lick here.
We hope these deer hunting tips will help you to bag a big one next season!
