Deer Hunting Tips For Beginners

If you’re a beginner deer hunter, there are many tips that you can use to get the most out of your time in the field. Read on to learn more! One of the most important deer hunting tips is to scout well before you go out. Do this by walking around the area you plan to hunt.

Scouting

If you’re a whitetail hunter, scouting is the foundation of your preparation for the season. It’s also the key to getting into the best stands and shooting deer successfully.

Scouting when deer hunting involves observing and recording the location of deer in the area where you plan to hunt. This information will help you predict their movements and avoid putting yourself in harm’s way.

In addition, it helps you know where they’re moving and if there are any changes due to crop rotations or other development nearby that may have affected their movement patterns.

It will help if you scout your hunting area several times yearly. Using a map, notebook or phone app to record your observations and notes will help you remember the details of your scouting and refer back to them season after season.

Preparation

It would help if you were prepared for everything from weather conditions to dangerous games when hunting deer. This will ensure a successful hunt and help prevent serious injuries or death.

You must also prepare yourself physically and mentally for a day in the field. This includes getting in shape before the season and refreshing your knowledge of safety rules.

Once you have identified prime deer spots, it is time to set up your stand. Be sure to do this in a location that deer won’t notice and is easy to get into and out of.

Next, you need to identify food sources important to whitetails in your area. This can be hard since food sources change throughout the year.

Scent

The scent is one of the most important factors when hunting deer. They have an uncanny sense of smell, and when they catch a whiff of you, your kill is as good as gone.

The best way to keep your scent under wraps is to dress in layers that wick moisture away from the skin. A scent lock bag is also a useful item to have on hand as you move from stand to stand.

Scent can be a real problem in windy conditions, so consider the wind direction before setting up your tree stand or ground blind. If the forecast calls for windy conditions, find a stand downwind of the area where you might attract the attention of a buck or two.

Shooting

Whether using a rifle or bow, you must have a solid shot placement strategy. This means that you should know where to place your arrow to ensure that it hits the vitals of the deer and kills them quickly.

There are two main types of shots that you can use when deer hunting: broadside and quartering away. Regardless of your choice, the goal is to place the arrow in a spot where it can penetrate the lungs and heart of the deer.

For the broadside shot, try aiming at a deer standing broadside to you, with its head pointing left or right and its tail tucked under its front leg. This is a good spot for a bullet to enter the ribs and angle forward into the heart-lung area.

The quartering away shot is a little harder to make, but it’s still a good choice for a broadside shoot. Getting the bullet through the stomach takes a bit more effort, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a quick and effective kill.