Going back home after a successful deer hunting session can surely be a proud moment for you, although at times this is not the case. Most people tend to focus more on getting the right equipment to be victorious and indeed this is also essential.
For instance, a suitable scope for your .30-30 Winchester rifle will help you kill the deer on the spot without missing your target even from a long distance. However, this is solely not enough.
In addition to this, knowing a few basic tips and tricks for hunting a deer will make the process a whole lot easier and more efficient for you rather than having to wonder why you aren’t able to spot even one deer for so long.
Therefore, we have jotted down the essential aspects that you need to know when going deer hunting so you don’t return home empty-handed. Read below!
Make Sure You Don’t Carry Any Scent
Deer have a sharp sense of smell, and it acts as their defense system for the hunting season. Your body sweat and clothes both can carry the scent and you certainly don’t want these controllable factors to make your hunting session a flop.
You should take shower with a scent-free soap right before the night of hunting day and make sure the clothes that you’re wearing are washed with a scent-free detergent as well. At times, clothes can even trap scent from other clothing items too so you should keep your hunting clothes totally separate and tied up in a bag.
To avoid sweat, ensure you don’t put on several layers of clothing, no matter how cold it is. Instead, you can keep additional clothes with you and wear them once you reach your deer stand or blind.
Wait for the Right Time to Hunt
Usually, the right time to hunt down a buck is dusk and dawn because this is the time when they are on the move from their feeding and bedding areas. So, you should set up your hunting camp and wait for them to get in your sight to get the best shot.
You will have to wait from morning till evening as well, therefore, you should bring something to eat with you such as a banana, apple, or granola bar. Again, you don’t want your food to activate its defense system.
Use the Right Wind
Along with the aspects mentioned above, it’s also essential to stay downwind of the deer as this will restrict the wind to be the carrier of your scent. If the wind touches your face, you should know that you’re downwind.
You should also closely monitor which route deer take for feeding and bedding areas so you know where to set up your deer blind or stand without alarming them of the possible harm which is you.
You should keep in mind that it’s vital to stay downwind even after you have successfully killed a deer and if you don’t, the rest of the deer will recognize your scent and you will have zero to no chances to find a deer the next time.
Be Quiet
Deer are smart enough to recognize a sound that is not familiar to them i.e., the footsteps of humans. Especially the ones that make it out alive during the hunting season are even smarter. Therefore, you should make sure to not slam your car door as this sound can travel hundreds of yards away in the woods and will alert them.
You should also carefully handle all your gear and try to walk on the heels of your boots to prevent unnecessary loud distractions.
Stay As Discreet As Possible
If your deer stand is not properly covered and you think that deer can’t look up and recognize you, you need to get your facts right. These witty mammals can look anywhere and try to run away when they sense danger.
First off, you should wear your camo clothes to blend well with the environment and make yourself as subtle as possible. Additionally, you should install your stand at a luscious tree with long, extended branches and it’s even better if there are more trees all around to give you a nice cover.
Don’t Chase the Deer after Shooting It
If you have hunted down a buck or doe and they have dropped, there are, at times, chances that they may try to get back up and run away. You should try to remember where you shot them down and trace them.
You should never ever chase it as a fatally shot deer can only run away a few hundred yards but if you try to chase it, it can go even far away, therefore making it harder for you. Hence, it’s always best to wait and analyze the situation.
Hunt Ethically
Last but not the least, you should be a responsible hunter and make sure the animal feels minimal pain when shot. Therefore, it’s important to study the anatomy of deer and know which points will make the deer suddenly drop dead. Usually brain, head, heart, and neck shots are the most ethical ones. You should practice more and more to hone your hunting skills and be a considerate hunter.
