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Deer hunting, help me step by step?
- Thread starter lord1234
- Start date
Arlow,
Good camera setup! You are right about the cover, but there's 2 major trails there funneling into one on an urban plot that I just couldn't ignore. I've thought of putting a camo skirt around the platform, but I think less is more. The view there is from a pine gathering area going down into a dense swamp. I envision them coming from the sides where i either have the pines or maples behind me, and not the trunk.
I agree about old wooden stands, but this is new with pressure treated wood, deck screws, galvanized lag bolts, and 2x6 construction. I'll take it down in a few years.
My spike last year was in an oak peeking out of an evergreen like you describe. I couldn't tell the placement on your shot. How far did he run?
I saw 2 deer hits on the highway this week. I think we are in for a busy season.
Scott
Good camera setup! You are right about the cover, but there's 2 major trails there funneling into one on an urban plot that I just couldn't ignore. I've thought of putting a camo skirt around the platform, but I think less is more. The view there is from a pine gathering area going down into a dense swamp. I envision them coming from the sides where i either have the pines or maples behind me, and not the trunk.
I agree about old wooden stands, but this is new with pressure treated wood, deck screws, galvanized lag bolts, and 2x6 construction. I'll take it down in a few years.
My spike last year was in an oak peeking out of an evergreen like you describe. I couldn't tell the placement on your shot. How far did he run?
I saw 2 deer hits on the highway this week. I think we are in for a busy season.
Scott
Buck Nekid
NES Member
Just want to add my two (s)cents ![[grin]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/041.gif "Grin [grin]")
about covering smells, camo,stand height, etc. I typically sit less than 15' off the ground in a Cabela's ladder stand, cheapest thing they sell. It was about $60 and has lasted the past 5 years with no signs of deteriorating.
Last year I sat in this stand, completely exposed, sitting right on a logging road in the woods of Missouri. About 8:00AM a young buck came ambling down the road, walked to the foot of my stand, looked right at me and since I didn't so much as blink, continued to walk along. When he got about 20 yds past me where I figured he wouldn't be alerted by me raising my gun I did just that and made a good hit . He ran about 25 yds into the woods and laid down and quit. Since I could see him and it was still early I let him lie and continued to sit. I waited about an hour, started to get cold so I figured I'd get out of my stand, field dress him, warm up and then sit some more which is exactly what I did.
Not twenty minutes after getting back in my stand a doe comes from behind me, stops in the exact same spot and I shoot her as well.
My point is I don't worry much about scents, camo, or anything but staying still and putting my bullet where it goes without waiting too long. I have seen more opportunities lost to so-called hunters that aren't sure when/how/if to shoot. You need to make up your mind before you get in the field how this is going to happen and then just do it. You'll be surprised how successful you can be focusing on the basics.
about covering smells, camo,stand height, etc. I typically sit less than 15' off the ground in a Cabela's ladder stand, cheapest thing they sell. It was about $60 and has lasted the past 5 years with no signs of deteriorating.Last year I sat in this stand, completely exposed, sitting right on a logging road in the woods of Missouri. About 8:00AM a young buck came ambling down the road, walked to the foot of my stand, looked right at me and since I didn't so much as blink, continued to walk along. When he got about 20 yds past me where I figured he wouldn't be alerted by me raising my gun I did just that and made a good hit . He ran about 25 yds into the woods and laid down and quit. Since I could see him and it was still early I let him lie and continued to sit. I waited about an hour, started to get cold so I figured I'd get out of my stand, field dress him, warm up and then sit some more which is exactly what I did.
Not twenty minutes after getting back in my stand a doe comes from behind me, stops in the exact same spot and I shoot her as well.
My point is I don't worry much about scents, camo, or anything but staying still and putting my bullet where it goes without waiting too long. I have seen more opportunities lost to so-called hunters that aren't sure when/how/if to shoot. You need to make up your mind before you get in the field how this is going to happen and then just do it. You'll be surprised how successful you can be focusing on the basics.
kiver
NES Member
He stopped just out of camara view and looked around for about 10 seconds. I could see the blood just pouring out of him. He then took a 40 yard death run at mach 6 and was done. Never left my sight.
entry wound
Exit wound
What were you using for a broad head?? I love wasps sst
That will happen with a young stupid buck or doe. With a mature buck or an older smart doe it is very unlikely.
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
expandable broad heads hit with punch and a half.
most hunting weight arrows traveling anywhere over 250 fps will hit with 60+ pounds of force.
most hunting weight arrows traveling anywhere over 250 fps will hit with 60+ pounds of force.
Arlow, that was nice placement. That downward angle is great for leaving a blood trail. Most new hunters don't realize that the deer don't die immediately and tend to run off and hide.
I only have 3 deer under my belt. The ran: 100 yds (shotgun quartering away), 0 (spined, expired after flopping for a minute, my followups missed), and 50 yds (thought it was too far back, stomach and liver, but must have caught a major artery).
Do you have a feel for how far a deer goes on a great/good/bad shot? I've heard some horror stories.
I only have 3 deer under my belt. The ran: 100 yds (shotgun quartering away), 0 (spined, expired after flopping for a minute, my followups missed), and 50 yds (thought it was too far back, stomach and liver, but must have caught a major artery).
Do you have a feel for how far a deer goes on a great/good/bad shot? I've heard some horror stories.
AM vs. PM
Because you may have to wait, or track a wounded deer, I prefer hunting in the morning so I have all day to deal with the deer later. The toughest part of hunting begins after the shot, and is much worse for a newbie. On evening hunts I tell myself that I will really limit myself to what distance and placement shot I will take, so that it is very good, maybe 15 yds broadside or 8 yds quartering away (bow). My 3 have all been AM, a little rushed, and could have been a little better shot (I'm new dammit). Lord1234, the other side of the coin is you may consider not struggling to be there before the crack of dawn, walking into unknown woods in the dark, and all that. Go in after lunch, and when other hunters return they may push deer to you. Lord123: How's your reading coming? When reading hunting magazines, ignore the huge racks/record breakers they are showing you. Those are what we dream about, not really see. Right now antlers beyond the ear span are my next goal, and over 4 points. I like the first timer stories, or the "What I did right/wrong" stories. It seems to me deer are taken at all times and all places, it's just about being in the woods a lot and being patient.
Because you may have to wait, or track a wounded deer, I prefer hunting in the morning so I have all day to deal with the deer later. The toughest part of hunting begins after the shot, and is much worse for a newbie. On evening hunts I tell myself that I will really limit myself to what distance and placement shot I will take, so that it is very good, maybe 15 yds broadside or 8 yds quartering away (bow). My 3 have all been AM, a little rushed, and could have been a little better shot (I'm new dammit). Lord1234, the other side of the coin is you may consider not struggling to be there before the crack of dawn, walking into unknown woods in the dark, and all that. Go in after lunch, and when other hunters return they may push deer to you. Lord123: How's your reading coming? When reading hunting magazines, ignore the huge racks/record breakers they are showing you. Those are what we dream about, not really see. Right now antlers beyond the ear span are my next goal, and over 4 points. I like the first timer stories, or the "What I did right/wrong" stories. It seems to me deer are taken at all times and all places, it's just about being in the woods a lot and being patient.
My reading is going great. I've learned SOOOOO much from this forum as well. I'm glad I posted, and got so many useful replies.
I hope this weekend is good so I can pull/re-place some more camera's. A friend of mine's father has 6 acres that I am going to be able to hunt on, and he says he has seen deer
I hope this weekend is good so I can pull/re-place some more camera's. A friend of mine's father has 6 acres that I am going to be able to hunt on, and he says he has seen deer
Good shots are good, animal is dead close by. Bad shots are highly variable. Pay attention closely to your shot impact, angle, penetration etc to put the puzzle in your head together.
The best advice I can give is be very selective on your shots with a bow. Make sure the animal is within what you call slam dunk range. Take your time and make a good shot. Do not rush, try to stay calm,and do not shoot beyond where you are 100% sure you can place the arrow where it needs to be. Even if it means the animal gets away because you dont get the shot. You put the arrow where it needs to be an the animal is dead in 2 minutes. If you do not follow this advice you will wound and not recover animals and you will feel really shitty about it.
That being said on a good hit even an animal in slam dunk range can move at the wrong moment, or you can be effected by nerves and cause a bad hit. 0-75 yards.
So good hit I wait 20 minutes or if I still have tags I continue the remainder of my hunt.
Unsure of hit I wait an hour, find the arrow and or bloodtrail and evaluate from there.
Stomach matter or smell on arrow I wait 4 hours. Back out quietly and went you return the first bloody bed should be within 100 yards most times.
Dark arterial blood and no smell I track slowly if there is enough land (stillhunting) and try to get another arrow in the animal. If I jump the anmal out of its bed wait 20 minutes and track again, and repeat as neccessary. Keeping the animal moving keeps the wound bleeding.
If not enough land to push the animal then back tot the 4 hour rule. Could be close, could be far.
I find the Primos "Original" Estrus Bleat Can easy to use. Because it didn't have a string on it to hang around your neck; I used the netting from a frozen turkey to make a holder for it and tied it off with a camo shoe lace. I wear that and a grunt tube.
well today was productive. I got to put my tree stand onto a tree and "climb" up. I didn't climb very high past about 5 ft off the ground because of 2 things
1) I didn't put the harness on right
2) was just a test run, more tests(with pictures) next weekend probably
Also, I placed camera's on his property. He has 6 acres that abuts on conservation land...yippee!
1) I didn't put the harness on right
2) was just a test run, more tests(with pictures) next weekend probably
Also, I placed camera's on his property. He has 6 acres that abuts on conservation land...yippee!
Keep us posted, specially with pics of these View attachment 5434
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As was said before...It is crucial to know what you are doing or want to do ahead of time and do it. I was still hunting years ago and a ten pointer walked not thirty yards in front of me. It couldn't of been more perfect. Wind right in my face. It was snowing lightly with a couple inches already down. The thing was in full rut. Head down, obviously only concerned with that doe he was after. Walked just past. I kneeled, whistled to stop him and he froze. I had that red dot all over the hit zone and I fired right over his back. The only time I had ever seen a deer that big was when I had seen the same one while walking my bird dogs that Sept. He stood up from the swamp with full moss hanging off that enormous rack. I almost shit myself twice. I've never seen one like that since. I stopped hunting deer for a few years after that sad day. Buck fever I suppose. Don't let it get ya. I'll be out pushin em for everyone again this season.lol The moral of the story is be prepared. I never thought I'd see him with my gun in hand and the situation ate me up. It still pisses me off to this day to miss a trophy like that.
. I'll be out pushin em for everyone again this season.lol The moral of the story is be prepared. I never thought I'd see him with my gun in hand and the situation ate me up. It still pisses me off to this day to miss a trophy like that.Seeing more deer
I've been using www.huntingfootage.com as a way to learn more about deer behavior, what others are wearing, and how they bowhunt. Tons of video clips.
Noticing: In high treestands they don't bother with facemasks; deer seem to swish there tail before putting head down (not the other way around); many ground blinds used (but often over feeders not allowed in MA); it takes a loud grunt to stop a moving deer.
I enjoy seeing the excitement of young hunters.
I've been using www.huntingfootage.com as a way to learn more about deer behavior, what others are wearing, and how they bowhunt. Tons of video clips.
Noticing: In high treestands they don't bother with facemasks; deer seem to swish there tail before putting head down (not the other way around); many ground blinds used (but often over feeders not allowed in MA); it takes a loud grunt to stop a moving deer.
I enjoy seeing the excitement of young hunters.
well, i went and checked the camera yesterday...4 pictures...of nothing
However my friend who owns the property says he sees the deer nearly every day in his back yard, so we moved the camera.
However my friend who owns the property says he sees the deer nearly every day in his back yard, so we moved the camera.
No the opposite: thick cover, perhaps a swampy area with a nice little protected island in it. Deer use cover to get where they are going too, so tree rows between fields might be their highways.
Being a newbie I'm trying to understand them. If I hear of a deer sighting I view the area and see why they might be there (food, cover, travelway, or water (not likely around here where it is everywhere)). If you see a "Deer Crossing" sign along the highway, look around and see what's there.
You must take Linebrook Rd to IFG? At Marini Farm I've seen multiple deer cross at the signs because the trees between the field meet closest to the road there.
Deer love swamps. I can't figure that out; I guess it's for security. I have a theory they crap before entering them to. Frequently you hear about them lying up on level surfaces along hillsides, and crossing hills at saddles.
I think I have bad eyes, but they do call them the "Ghosts of the Forests" too. LOL
Just keep enjoying the "doing" on the way to getting there!
Being a newbie I'm trying to understand them. If I hear of a deer sighting I view the area and see why they might be there (food, cover, travelway, or water (not likely around here where it is everywhere)). If you see a "Deer Crossing" sign along the highway, look around and see what's there.
You must take Linebrook Rd to IFG? At Marini Farm I've seen multiple deer cross at the signs because the trees between the field meet closest to the road there.
Deer love swamps. I can't figure that out; I guess it's for security. I have a theory they crap before entering them to. Frequently you hear about them lying up on level surfaces along hillsides, and crossing hills at saddles.
I think I have bad eyes, but they do call them the "Ghosts of the Forests" too. LOL
Just keep enjoying the "doing" on the way to getting there!
actually the camera was placed facing directly into a swamp the first time...no luck. i placed it facing a different area, but i'll move it back there, and maybe place a few more...
also: should I be "descenting" before placing the camera? I've just been spraying myself with bugspray, and going in there...but that might be why I am having problems.
also: should I be "descenting" before placing the camera? I've just been spraying myself with bugspray, and going in there...but that might be why I am having problems.
