Hello everyone! I am new to bow hunting, this will be my first year hunting. I have talked to many veteran deer hunters, read tons of information, and watched videos giving many helpful tips. I'm the kind of person who researches every little aspect before I jump into anything. But I do have a couple questions for you all that most may overlook or simply don't ask! Question 1: I plan on staying in my stand from sunrise to about 30min-1 hour before sunset, what do you guys do as far as food and drinks go? I would like to be able to bring mine in my pack, but am skeptical if the deer or other animals are able to scent it? Question 2: Do most people frown upon shooting small game? I'm not talking babies, but like smaller sized does? I would hate to violate any sort of game hunting edicate that may be out there. Any other tips you guys have for a newcomer? Thanks much!
I usually bring a sandwhich and a couple granola bars. The deer don't seem to mind it. Just try and not make to much noise up there. I personally only go for the bigger deer, but that's my opinion. I feel that the trophy is in the eye of the beholder. If you're new to hunting and want to take any deer i feel that it's your decision. We all started out taking smaller deer. And personally i wasn't more excited in my life when i shot my first deer. It was not a monster by any means, but i was so excited i couldn't stand. That's what hunting is about, not who gets the biggest buck, but who has themost fun out there. Good luck hunting
I can not comment on all day sits, I do not do them so I do not carry in food. As far as shooting which age animals, you do what you feel comfortable with. To you a yearling may be a trophy, to the next guy nothing under a 140 class deer is his trophy. We each need to decide for ourselves what we want out of this sport. Just getting up in a treestand and relaxing is more than enough for me, if I happen to harvest a deer then that is a plus. Dave Be safe, Hunt hard
New to bow hunting also, this is my first season bow hunting and just a few observations/thoughts. 1. Eat something filling before you go and then I take sun flower seeds to snack on - but you don't want something that's going to make a lot of noise getting opened or anything like that. I mean if your only in the stand for 4 or 5 hours you should be fine without any food at all. For sure bring water - need it to drink and hopefully need it to clean your knife after you field dress a trophy! If you're going to take sun flower seeds take them out of the package and put them in a plastic bag, less noise. If you're going to take a granola bar or fruit roll up (awfully scented) again take it out of the package and put in a plastic bag. 2. If you're hunting out of a stand/climber especially give yourself plenty of extra time. Don't get in a hurry - I have that problem, I'm like the faster I get to the stand and the faster I get up the tree less I am going to disturb. WRONG! Take your time getting to your stand and take your time getting up in the tree, no reason to get in a hurry - that's when mistakes happen. 3. If your comfortable with what you shoot then that's all that really matters as long as you make a good ethical shot. Some people take fawns (say the meats better), some people take doe with fawns with them and again it's a matter of personal preference. For me, I figure I've got what 2 or 3 months to take a doe or two with a bow. I'm not in need enough for meat that I will take a fawn or even a doe in front of her fawns - I don't frown on anyone who would do that though. 4. Range find your shooting lanes before hand, this way if you get in a situation when you've got to make a shot in a matter of seconds you will already have a range on the area. If you range every possible shooting angle a few times, you probably will not need your range finder once you start seeing deer. Obviously it's nice to have, but you might not need it. For me I've attached my to my Muddy safety harness and that way if I need it I have easy access to it. 5. Last one, stay positive and expect success. The last thing I want to do as a new bow hunter that's never shot an actual living animal with my bow is have negative expectations going in. If I do, I'm just going to set myself up for failure when it does come time to make a good shot. Trust your preparation and scouting and just have fun! These are all things that I am remembering as I go out into the woods as a new bow hunter. Last weekend was my first bow hunt and a few of these are things that I actually learned last weekend.
First off, I would set till dark. I pack an apple, water and energy bar on all day sets....Or, sometimes I just fast. No right or wrong here...shoot what you want as long as its legal.
