It's that time of the year, when all of the signs of the summer remain in the atmosphere. When you are faced with all the bugs and the heat, it may be a task to transition into deer hunting season. This is the best time to transition into hunting season.
The deer is at their most predictable and less attentive state at this time, this is the best chance to get the buck of your lifetime.
Make sure you trade in the fishing pole for a new bow or gun, dress light, and grab some of the best repellent on the shelves. It is time to start off the deer season just right.
Most of the articles, that I'm sure you have already came across, claim to give you the new advanced techniques about deer hunting, and give you all the of the tips and tactics that are beyond basic, to prepare for the new season. Right?
Well, those particular articles are going after the hunters that are more experienced, and most likely have read many articles of the latest tips and "tricks". But, what about those who are hunting for their very first times this season? Look no further, we are here for you. Here are some helpful tips to help you get your very first deer for the new season.
Make Sure You’re in the Field
Of course, no one has ever shot a deer while eating in the dinner, or out watching the latest football game, or even asleep in bed, right? If you are sincerely serious about getting your first deer this season, you will need to spend most of your time scouting the field.
It is going to be vital that you rearrange your priorities to make sure you are maximizing your chances this year, so you will need to limit your socializing, and go to bed early to make sure you wake up before the sun rises.
So, be sure to pack enough water and food that will carry you throughout the day.
Make Sure You Are Dressed Appropriately
It is most likely going to be cold in the morning and in the evening, but hot during the day. So if it is warm, make sure you are wearing layers. If you are going to be gun hunting, make sure you are wearing enough orange. If you are going to be bow hunting this year, make sure that your layers are camouflaged as well.
Wearing vests is ideal, because they can be worn over your t shirt or parkas. In the colder weather, it is essential to wear a heavy coat, or even coveralls.
Keeping your head and your neck warm with some kind of cap or beanie, or with a neck warmer, is going to help you be comfortable as you are scouting too.
Know the Tools of the Trade
When I was lucky enough to shoot my very first deer, I had my good friend come over to help me to gut out the deer. I passed over my duties, and handed him the knife (which I had sharpened about a week prior). I made sure to take note on what he was doing and the technique we he used while gutting out the deer, and then he asked for a rope.
I was not aware of the essentials you needed when you actually get the deer. It is a good idea to bring a rope with you when you are going out. So make sure bring a rope with you, along with a tarp as well. You can get these items at your local hardware store.
Having the tarp will help you with dragging the heavy deer back to your cabin, or truck, and keep the cavity of the deer clean from any debris.
Know How to Handle Your Weapon
If you are not at all comfortable with your bow or your gun, there is no need for a rope, knife, or a tarp. It is critical that you get as much training, and shooting practice in before the season starts. You are going to need to improve your shooting skills, and understand your ability, and the gun or bow's ability too.
Get comfortable with the distances you are going to be shooting from. This is going to help you in judging the distance when you are in the field. If you are planning on hunting in open areas, it may be best for you to start shooting around 50 to 100 yards, and proceed to move up to about 200 yards.
If you are going to be hunting in the forest, then 50 yards is going to be about the longest shot you will be making because it is going to be more heavily covered.
Scouting
Scouting for other types of game, is different from scouting for deer. Some people, like myself, prefer scouting from a distance. You are going to be looking for any deer movement. You can use binoculars from the roadway, or a path.
The best time to go hunting, is early in the mornings, or late in the evenings. This is the time where the deer are usually more active. If you choose to go hunting close by, a good time to go hunting is before you go to work, and after work.
If you choose to hunt on public property, you will find a lot of places to hunt. You want to make sure you plan on hunting on a handful of properties, so you will not limit your chances this season.
With the help of technology, this has given hunters the opportunity to scout without ever leaving their house. You can use Yahoo maps, Google maps, and other sites that have satellite maps. All these tools are all free of charge. Some of the services you can use offer topographic maps too.
Topographic maps give the hunters a bird's eye view of any property covering North America. Advanced technology can help hunters spy on the deer by accessing their phones without ever walking into the forest or the woods. Convenient, right?
Get Ready For Your Big Day
Now it is the big opening day, and you have done everything in getting yourself prepared. Whether you choose to hunt on the ground, or from a tree, you need to position yourself depending on the direction of the wind. You want to be facing the wind, that way the wind will blow your sent away from the deer, where they are likely to approach.
The wind is going to be changing direction from time to time, but these are the odds that you are needing to play. Once you have settled in your hunting spot, you need to be practicing the shooting lanes, or practice swinging your bow.
By doing this, this will take the guessing out of the actual shot and mentally preparing yourself for the moment when the deer is finally in range.
Now, It is the Moment of Truth
Ready to finally shoot your first trophy buck? Now that you have done everything right for this moment, it is time to put all your skills to use. Hunting for your first time, your first goal is to fill the tag, and start learning from this experience.
A legal hunter is a good deer hunter, and it also makes the deer legal too.
Some states have regulations that you need to adhere to. So, the first thing you need to be doing is determine if the deer is in fact legal. Some of the restrictions or the requirements depend on the antlers. Check your local area, that you are going be hunting in, to get a clear description on what is legal, and what is not.
If you are not sure, you can always call your local department of game and fish and find out.
Don’t be afraid to ask, most of these people are more than happy to provide you with the regulations, and might even give you some helpful tips for your big day.
Game Time
Now that you have prepared yourself and gotten the requirements and regulations for your game, it is now time to start focusing on the vitals of the animal.
Don't focus on the antlers, or even the surroundings. The vitals you want to focus on at this point is the clear signs of the vegetation, and finally pull that trigger, or draw back on the bow and release the arrow.
You want to target the area on the deer that is just above their front shoulder. To distract a walking deer, you want to grunt or whistle, and they will stop to take a look at their surroundings, and this is the time for you to take that perfect shot you have been waiting all season for.
When you finally shoot, hold your confidence. The deer most likely will not fall over immediately. In most cases, the deer will run for a period of time, so you need to be prepared to follow the deer to his final resting area.
Typically, this can take up to a couple hours. In the case where the deer does not feel pressured, it will lay down within about 150 yards of your final shot. If you happen to hit the deer in the area where it does not take them down, you will need to be prepared for a second shot.
If you miss the deer completely, it is best to let the deer run. If you missed the deer when it was at a standstill, the chances of you hitting the deer when the deer is running, is a pretty slim chance. You need to be prepared for this, because now you need to start tracking the deer if you in fact shot him the first time.
If you choose to let him go, without shooting the deer, simply wait for the next deer to pass by.
If you are in fact prepared and have practiced this, and relaxed at the time of the first shot, then missing will not be a concern for you.
Because this is your first time hunting, it is best if you have a mentor with you, so it will help your chances of a successful season. Having an experienced mentor, they can help you in evaluating all of the aspects of a successful hunt.
They will be able to help you in correcting any mistakes you may make before you even make them.
So, put your pride aside if having a mentor is a possibility for you. If you don’t have a mentor, it is best to ask someone who has the experience.
In my time, I have met a lot of people through hunting, so if you see a fellow hunter, don’t be ashamed to ask how their day has been, and I'm sure they will be able to share some helpful tips with you as well.
In some cases, they will share with you where the most activity is for getting your first deer, or even help you out on your journey.
You never know. The majority of people that I have met are fellow hunters I came across during my first few hunts, and they are good friends and my fellow hunters till this day.
Actually, a very good friend of mine actually tagged her first deer last season. She was the only person in our group of eight to get a deer. One of the greatest things about hunting is when you get your first deer, not only are your friends happy, but hunters you don't know, but see on your way back carrying that big buck will be happy for you too.
Keep in mind, it may not be a feast at the Olive Garden, but when you hunt, fellow hunters are like family. So get on your good foot, and tag your first buck. Cheers.