Great Deer Hunting Advice

f you are a long time hunter you may find these deer hunting tips a bit obvious, but they are basics that can be reviewed, and some things beginners need to learn before they go out. If you're a beginner you should know there's more to deer hunting than walking into the woods and just finding a trophy deer to shoot. A certain amount of preparation is required, a level of discipline is necessary, and certain safety rules to be learned and applied, but the tips discussed here will help you have a truly enjoyable and prosperous hunt.

1. Essential Safety Tips:

Be sure to refrain from consuming anything alcoholic before or during the hunt.

Always take care of your gun as if it was loaded and ready to shoot. You should never count on the gun's safety to prevent it from firing.

Never under any circumstance jump a ditch, climb a stand or a tree or cross a fence with any loaded gun.

Do not pull the gun's trigger unless you are completely certain that you are aiming at a deer. If there is any doubt about your target, do not fire.

2. Tips on How to Successfully Hunt A Deer:

Begin Early - Although a lot of hunters like to hunt all day, the best chances for finding a deer is during sunrise and sunset. Usually, deer only emerge from the brush in order to feed during the dawn and dusk hours. Be sure to be in your deer blind or stand prior to dawn in the morning and prior to dusk during the evening. Arriving early is vital, in order to properly set-up prior to the arrival of deer. It is truly agonizing to watch that trophy winning buck dart away due to you arriving a little too late, not giving yourself ample enough time to finish any preparations.

No Scents - Take the time to be certain that you or any of your equipment are not emitting any smells that would alert a deer of your presence. While a scent may appeal to your friends or spouse, it will repel a deer. Do not use any cologne, after shave, deodorant, perfume, or scented soaps/body wash. Additionally, be sure to wash whatever clothing you will be bringing with you on the hunt with either an unscented detergent or simply water. Unfortunately, deer have an astounding degree of smell sensitivity, and anything unusual will have them scattering away before you can act.

Be Still - Once you're set up in your stand or blind try not to move anymore than necessary, and extremely slowly when you have to. One of the toughest things for me to learn was the ability to keep looking SLOWLY from side to side, hours at a time, as I sat freezing in a deer stand. Any type of sudden motion can set a deer on the run.

Remain Silent - This is perhaps one of the most vital keys to any deer hunt. Personally, I have been stunned by the sheer sensitivity of hearing that deer possess. They are highly attuned to any unnatural noise, including a human voice. If you are involved in a hunting party and need to communicate, do so very quietly, substituting hand signals if you can. Also, be sure to keep track of your gun and binoculars, avoiding tapping either of these against the stand or each other.

The aforementioned tips are really simple basics, and while there is a great deal more out there, if you follow these basic deer hunting tips, you'll find your chances of success are dramatically increased.