Last year I did it all but, this year and from here on it will be all bow. Firearms just didn't excite me like bow hunting has. I don't even have a rifle, shot gun or anything else in my house now so I am forcing myself to hunt only with a bow. Just something about having to be so close and know your deer well enough to get that close that is more enticing to me. I love a challenge and to me being a hunter is one thing but, being a Bowhunter is a whole different ball game and I love it.
Wow, you guys are jamming on the good advise. This should get a stickie. IMO I like what gri22ly said "3. Throw all the hunting Mag's and books out the window.....95% of it is BS and you haven't been hunting long enough to separate the good info from the bad." I'm a newb so I'm reading everything I can get my hands on and some contradict the others, so now I'm scared that I might be getting to much advise and messing with my own head. I like the 5 step program. Thanks for the solid info.
That's exactly why I asked..I am almost certain there are other new hunters like me that could benefit by it...hopefully by next season I'll have a few tips to add..lol.. Thanks again guys, keep em coming..
Agreed Florida. I'm hoping another season under my belt will help with my knowledge and I can participate in discussions rather than simply asking for advice. I'm having a hard time sifting through all the information, its almost too much
It is a lot of info. If you go through and write down a list of the ones posted the most, that would probably be a good start. Start with the basics and go from there. You will post many questions from shooting questions to scouting to well, all kinds of stuff. Just ask.
In my opinion, aside from the other things people have touched on. Read books. I have a stack of books about deer hunting and they cover things you really wouldnt even think about until your in the situation. Also making sure you have the bow that fits you perfectly, I had hunted the last two years with a Martin and I never was completely satisfied....i bought my Mathews today
X2!! Especially #3 (& ignore TV shows also). As a general rule I agree with #4. There are very few exceptions to #4, but there are a couple I can think of (out of 100's).
I am not trying to start an argument but what is wrong with books? I understand magazines are a lot of times bias and inaccurate however I havent really read anything in a book that was really that far off.
1. Get a mentor. 2. Go to a pro shop where they will take time with you helping you select the right equipment and setting it up for you. I’m not a fan of the big box stores. 3. Spend as much time in the woods as you can scouting and watching deer. 4. Practice a lot. 5. Have fun. # 5 is the most important one…
Gri22ly knows what he is talking about, here are a couple I would add. Where a harness 100% of the time and don't wait to be at the top of the tree to be locked in. When in hilly terrain most places that are good to kill a deer are 1/3 from the top of any ground you hunt. Your best chance of killing a deer in any location is usually the first time you are there so move around plenty, be mobile Become a terrain and cover hunter more then sitting on the side of a corn field like the "pros" do on tv. Understand that deer use wind to their advantage so you want to be in a place where the deer thinks it is using the wind to their advantage but still can't detect you.
