Deer Hunting Tips

The best deer hunting tips are the ones that you figure out for yourself and can offer to others. After all, few things feel better than finding the way that works for you. Of course, until you reach that point, here are some deer hunting tips to help you get there.

Deer Hunting Tips:

· Deer are generally crepuscular: they are often active at dawn and dusk and sleep during the middle of the day and night.

· This does not, however, mean that you will not see them feeding during the middle of the day.

· Bucks are more often during hunting seas

· Go scouting. Do this during early to late summer. When you scout, be as careful as if you are actually hunting. Stay quite and do not leave much scent.

· Find the food source that the deer will be eating during the hunting season.

· Look for trees that will have the most acorns.

· Look for areas with greens like clover or rye covering the ground.

· Look for deer trail routes. The ones with the freshest tracks are the best.

· If you are going to set up any sort of hunting stand, be sure to set it up pre-season, before the deer start feeding in that area. Otherwise, you can scare them off.

· Mark your “hot spots” on a GPS.

· Also be sure to take lots of notes. Do not expect to simply remember everything. You want to write down everything that you find.

· You can find where the bucks are if you scout during the pre-season, right after the bucks have rubbed the velvet from their antlers. During this time, the rut (mating season) a buck is going to leave more markings on trees than he will afterward.

· Look for areas with thick and dense brush. It is in areas like this that deer like to sleep. You can set up on the outskirts of such an area… somewhere where you will be able to see better.

· Remain still! Do not move unless absolutely necessary!

· Do not fall asleep! This can be tricky when you remain so still, but falling asleep not only will lose you your deer, but it can also be quite dangerous if you are up in a tree stand.

· Use special products to mask your scent. Deer have an excellent sense of smell.

· Keep the wind direction in mind. Stay downwind of whatever feeding or sleeping spot, etc. you are “staking out.” Constantly check for changes in the wind.

· Wear a harness if using a tree stand.

· Move the site of your tree stand around. You do not want your deer to start associating deer stands with humans!

· Try to avoid walking a long a deer trail or even walk parallel to one. Take the back route… walk up streams, etc.

· Be sure to always be ready. Make sure that you have checked your equipment right when you get to the stand, not once a deer is already out!

· The majority of deer are shot downwind from a food source.

These are only a few deer hunting tips. There are actually many deer hunting tips available on many different websites from many different, experienced hunters. Before hunting in a certain spot, is a good idea to ask locals hunters for their own, personal tips. Different areas can vary, and everyone has his or her own tricks of the trade.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

The Top Ten Myths of Deer Hunting

In talking with hunters all over the US, I have found that even some great hunters still hold on to common myths of deer hunting. In this article I would like to expose what I consider to be the top ten myths of deer hunting.

Myth #1
Big bucks roam frequently roam.

Truth #1
Big bucks have a home territory that they usually stay in. They may roam some during the rut in search of does in estrus.

Myth#2
Bucks bed in the thickest cover.

Truth #2
Bucks will bed in thick cover but they will also bed in thin cover on hills and ridges where they can view approaching predators

Myth #3
Finding frequent scrapes close together means there is a big buck in the area.

Truth #3
This is most likely the work of a younger buck that is showing off his prowess. A mature buck will make big scrapes but not as many as a 1 to 2 year old.

Myth #4 and #5
Big bucks don't walk in doe trails.

Bucks follow behind does to avoid danger.

Truth #4 and #5
Big bucks normally don't walk in doe trails except during rutting season. A dominant buck will walk a doe trail and behind does when he is following a doe in estrus.

Myth #6
A full moon is bad for hunting.

Truth #6
Scientific research has found that the second full moon after the fall equinox starts the rutting season in central and northern states.

Myth #7
Spooked deer run for miles.

Truth #7
While deer can run 35 - 40 mph, they will run for only a couple of hundred yards when frightened.

Myth #8
The rut lasts only a few days.

Truth #8
Does come into estrus individually. Does that do not breed during their first estrus of the season will enter into estrus again in about a month.

Myth #9
The size of a buck's antlers indicates his age.

Truth #9
While antler size usually increases with age, the age of a buck cannot be determined by the size of his antlers. Antler size and number of points varies with the individual based on genetics and nutrition.

Myth #10
There's no need to stay out hunting in the middle of the day because the deer are resting.

Truth #10
Especially under the pressure of the hunting season, deer (including bucks) will be on the move all day.

I hope you enjoyed the Top 10 Myths of Deer Hunting!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Pineland

Hunting Is Not Just A Hobby

Hunting is fun. From the beginnings we were implicated, like the entire nature, in a cycle of hunting and being hunted. Some of us feel the need to hunt and express their power through the ability to shot some preys.

Hunting it’s a way of entertainment, of spending some time in the middle of the nature and trying to explore some unknown places. The feelings which pervade you are similar to those of our ancestor. We have like all animals instincts of hunting. It’s in our blood, but we have transformed it in the ability to struggle, to fight against difficulties. We are still hunting, but the nature of our preys is different. We fight with ourselves and we are hunting the best in the hierarchy. We are hunting the other’s mistakes and make of them our goals/advantages.

Few people know about hunting and how to do that without braking any rules. You must know from the beginning that the place for hunting is a savage one and its habitants too. The rules are important and must be respected.

There are certain periods of the year when the hunting it’s admitted/allowed, that is why we must be aware of them.
Like any other hobbies, hunting needs time and practice. We must always remember that: everything has a limit and nothing lasts forever. the power we have must be used with knowledge.
If you want to try your skills of hunter, today is more easy then ever by subscribing to special programs which are engaged with this kind of things. There are various ways of hunting; all you need is time and the heart to do that.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lastun

How to Save Money on Your Hunting Hobby

If you're an avid hunter, I'm sure you'll realize that hunting can soon become a rather expensive hobby. Especially with all that buying of rifles, rifle scopes, hunting knives, accessories etc. And not to forget, those self financed hunting expeditions. But before you discard your love for hunting, here are some ways you can probably mitigate the cost issue.

(1) Buy Used Rifles Instead of Brand New Ones
One of the great ways to lower the cost of hunting as a hobby is to purchase used rifles. That can amount to a great bargain especially if you're doing it correctly. A brand new rifle can cut you back by at least a few hundreds of dollars and naturally branded ones can cost even more.

To reduce this cost outlay, you'll need a dealer that distributes used rifles. Do a check on the seller's via the dealer to ensure that the rifle was legitimately used prior to being resold. And yeah, always insist on an inspection. Some used rifles look good on paper but when handled, are actually nothing more than a piece of worthless metal.

There are a couple of things to take note of when inspecting the used rifle. First, ensure that the area around the firing pin to ensure that it's not eroded. If it is, it's very likely that the rifle you're looking at wasn't handled with care by its previous owner.

Also, check if the bolt is in working condition. You can test this out by pulling the bolt backwards and let it go forward. If it's a good rifle, the firing pin will not go off. Ensure that there is no rust in the rifle's bore and that the grooves in the barrel are clean too.

If the thought of buying guns online ever come across to you, you may want to reconsider though. Such procedure is mandated by the law and guns purchased online has to be shipped to a Federal Firearms License holder for inspection before release, delaying the entire buying process. The FFL holder will in turn charge a fee for their service, which will probably erode the savings you obtain from getting the rife in the first place.

(2) Get Rifle Scopes, Hunting Knives & Accessories Online
Unlike the purchase of guns online, buying expensive accessories such as rifle scopes, hunting knives & accessories is much more effortless. In fact, I do highly recommend that as such are offen offered at real bargains off reputed online stores. With lower operating costs, such online stores are able to transfer their savings back to the consumer, thereby slashing retail prices.

For example, a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 Matte BDC is 30% cheaper online than what some local retailers are offering! If you want a better deal, pop over to eBay where some sellers are even offering their products for bidding at $0.01. Who knows, you may end up saving more than 30%!

(3) Go On Group Hunting Expeditions
A solo hunting expedition can easily cut you back by thousands. Sometimes even tens of thousands. To take advantage of the economies of scale you can derive from a shared guide, accommodation and other travelling expenses, it definitely makes great sense for you to go hunting in twos or even threes. In fact, there are special hunting packages which offer fantastic group discounts.

If you're an avid hunter and are very familiar with the terrains, you may even want to do away with the expense of engaging a guide, which can be really add up to the cost. However, if you're a beginner or aren't familiar with the remote surroundings, I wouldn't recommend doing so as taking a guide may help you save you more time and hassle than money!

All in all, do your research and exercise your discretion. Although what works for others may not necessary work for you, but it certainly doesn't harm to tap on some conventional wisdom!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Clements

Being Prepared For the Hunt

Do you start pulling out your gear several months before you take a hunting trip? If your anything like me, the day after you schedule a hunt, you start preparing for the trip. I spend so much time researching and preparing for a trip, by the time it finally arrives, it's almost a little depressing. If you haven't experienced this part of the hunt your missing a lot of fun and below are some tips to living the hunt, not just while your there, but for months beforehand.

Let's use my trip to New Zealand with Craigieburn Alpine Safaris as an example to illustrate the process I go through when planning for a hunt. My father and brother-in-law had booked the trip in my absence at a hunting convention. I didn't know the outfitter, the location, or the animals available, not to mention the terrain, the type of hunting or anything else for that matter.

My first step was to track down the outfitter's website. I studied it thoroughly learning about the location of the hunt, the species available, pondering what I wanted to hunt and learning about what was available. There were beautiful pictures of mountain summits and massive red stags with crowned antlers. I could almost smell the mountain air.

I next called on a few friends that had hunted for stag or had been to New Zealand hunting for chamois, stag, and tahr. It's always best in my opinion to speak to someone you know first, to learn what to ask. I learned many hunts in New Zealand are fenced rather than free range. The chamois and tahr are often hunted with helicopters, and the stags are classified by bronze, silver, or gold medal depending on the size and whether they were taken free range or not. I definitely wanted to hunt free range and I wanted to take a chamois by the power of my two legs rather than a helicopter.

Next I studied the internet to learn all I could about New Zealand and New Zealand hunting. I read about the country and learned about the animals and how they are hunted. I discovered their are two islands, the South and the North and the terrain is extremely different as well as the type of hunting. I was happy to know we would be hunting the South Island.

I bought a book on hunting New Zealand a relived another hunter's experiences. I also bought a few hunting videos featuring New Zealand hunts. It amazing how much more real the hunt becomes when you see the terrain and watch other hunters taking trophies. There is nothing that compares to this experience and it helps with any type of hunt you are taking. This is also one of my favorite hunt preparation routines. Nothing like a great hunting video to pass those long evenings.

My next step was to contact the outfitter. By this point I had gathered enough information to ask about pricing, hunting gear lists, exact location, how we would be hunting and what kind of physical condition I needed to be in. I soon learned it was time to get in shape. I also searched the internet for additional gear lists and began paging through Cabela's to fill out my missing gear. I can spend hours in a large outdoor store checking out gear and choosing what I want. Most I can't afford, but if you don't enjoy this part of the preparation, you need your head checked.

Once I learned the location, it was time to pull up Google Maps. This software is truly amazing and allows you to literally scout the terrain from your computer. I can't think of how many times someone has told me about a special hunting spot that I then checked out on my laptop. You can cruise down the roads, set on top of a hill and view the surrounding, see all the nooks and crannie that hide critters, mark your favorites spots, and more. If you haven't tried it, your missing the boat! Just remember, those mountains are a lot bigger in real life.

Now it was time to start pulling out my hunting gear. I always pull out twice as much gear as I need several months before the hunt and start whittling it down as the hunt draws near. I pack up my backpack and carry it around as part of my excercise routine (minus the rifle) just to see how it fits. I also start making trips to the range to knock the dust off the old rifle and make sure that once in a lifetime shot counts.

The closer the time came for the hunt, the more I dreamed of big stags and shaggy tahr. It was tough to sleep at all the last couple weeks before the trip. I had gone over my gear a hundred times, honed my rifle skills, beat my body into shape, and all that was left was to relax and let the guide do the work.

Like I said, the hunt starts long before the day of the trip and I enjoy every minute of it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Boulden

Deer Hunting - A Beginner's Guide

Deer hunting is one of the oldest and most popular sports in many parts of the world. It's highly competitive and offers a unique experience each time. It can also be a dangerous sport, especially for inexperienced hunters. If this is unfamiliar territory to you, here are some things you need to know and understand about deer hunting to make sure you maintain the standards of safety and hunting ethics:

Understand your local rules.

In many places, there are certain regulations you need to be aware of prior to hunting deer. It is important that you understand what the laws in your locality are so you do not do anything considered illegal due to ignorance.

If you will be deer hunting on privately-owned land, get the owner's permission first. If you will be cutting trees, limbs or shrubs, it's important (and polite) to get approval. If you will be hunting on public land, check if cutting trees or parts of it is considered legal. In the majority of states, it is unlawful to alter the forest or to build structures. Make sure you understand what restrictions apply in your locality.

Know your equipment.

Never handle equipment that you don't know how to use. If there are procedures recommended by the manufacturer, make sure that you have read and understood what they are. If you can, practice using the equipment first before going into deer habitat. Deer hunting equipment, especially guns and rifles, can be very dangerous if they are not used properly.

Use the right gun.

Before you buy a hunting gun, check your local regulations first so you'll know which types of guns are allowed. Second, you might want to consider the type of landscape you will be hunting in.

Open country spaces will require long-range shooters which give you enough power to shoot from a good distance. In forests and other areas that offer thick coverage, a rifle that can offer accurate shots at short ranges will be more favorable.

When you have a proper gun for deer hunting, make sure you practice a few rounds with it first. Like most beginners, you probably can't hope to make the first shot count unless you've had some considerable shooting experience in the past. Try to master your main equipment first to ensure a more successful and productive hunt.

Bring safety equipment.

If equipment comes with safety devices or accessories, make sure to bring them during the hunt. If you will be hunting deer from tree stands, use your safety harness or belt. Wear the required clothing to keep yourself safe and free from accidents.

A first aid kit, mobile phone, flashlight, lighter and a whistle will also come in handy during emergencies, so make sure you're packed.

Hunt with an experienced buddy.

If you have never hunted deer before, it's important that you find someone who has had good experience. They can offer you invaluable advice regarding the activity and since they know what to do, they can also increase the likelihood that you will enjoy a successful hunt.

Take note of hunting hours.

That's right - hours. Generally, states do not allow hunters to fire guns before dawn and after the sun sets to ensure that hunters and their companions are safe. However, this doesn't mean that you should start out when the sun's already out. Go in early while it's still dark to make sure you get the best possible location.

Inform someone that you will be hunting.

Before you leave the house, make sure someone knows where you will be and what you will be doing. At camp, leave a note that includes information about your whereabouts. This will be very useful in case you get lost or caught in an unexpected situation during deer hunting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Simm