Deer hunting, particularly for white-tailed deer, is addictive for many hunters. The adrenaline rush while making a kill gives you an irreplaceable feeling. For people new to the art of hunting, killing a deer may seem simple and easy, but you need specific techniques for a successful hunt.
If you intend to go deer hunting, equipping yourself with the techniques below is essential.
The two most common techniques for deer hunting are stand hunting and still-haunting. Find out more as we progress.
Stand hunting
As the name implies, stand hunting involves standing or remaining at a location waiting for a game. You can use a ground blind or wait in a tree stand for the deer. The first step in this technique is locating a spot that doesn’t give off your scent to the deer.
Opting for a tree stand can give you a wilder visual coverage, but ground blinds also work perfectly for some people. A hill, mountainous area, or ridge usually makes an ideal location for your ground blind.
Before setting up, ensure you have a clear shooting lane as you can’t get a good shot of any deer without it.
If you’ll be hunting from a tree, ensure you have a good safety spot and easy access to reach the ground. You also need a solid and secure stand and avoid using weathered straps and webbings or rusty screws and nails.
Consider the following safety tips when hunting from a tree stand.
• Avoid climbing the tree while holding a loaded gun.
• Do not carry a loaded gun into your stand.
• Never lower your loaded gun from a stand. You can use a rope to lower or pull up the gun but place the muzzle away from you.
Still-Hunting or Stalking
The best time for still-hunting is during light rain because it makes the forest floors less noisy and provides background noise to obscure your noise and reduce your scent.
An essential tip for a successful stalk is moving slowly, taking one or two steps every few minutes. A deer’s vision is like motion detectors. A slight movement can give you off more than your outline. Try reducing unnecessary motion such as arm-swinging and head-turning to prevent the deer from sprinting off.
If you spot a deer, stopping and gradually aiming for the right shot gives you a better chance than making sudden movements. A deer will likely stare at you for some time to determine what you are, so limited or no movement can help it calm down, giving you enough time to make your kill.
Best Hunting Time
Regardless of your hunting technique, you need to factor in the best time for your hunt. Deer tend to move more when close to dark, so opt for late afternoons or early in the mornings . You can also have a good hunt mid-day, especially when the weather is cold and later in the ir hunting season as deer adjust their patterns around hunting habits.
If you want a successful hunt, you have to decide which hunting technique works best for you. If you prefer the stalking technique, controlling your body movement when sighting a deer helps you make a successful kill, but identifying the perfect vantage point is essential if you’re stand hunting.