This is my first post, and I would like to say right away how thankful I am for all the information on this site. I have been browsing the forums and reading articles almost every day for the past two months. This past season was my first season of deer hunting.. ever. I did not grow up with a father who deer hunted. As far as I know he has never gone in his life and has no intention of ever trying it. The only hunting we did when I was a kid were doves and duck. He used to be a competition archery shooter 20+ years ago and he gave me his old Hoyt ProHunter a couple years back which I believe is older than I am (25). This is the bow that I have been using this past season. Because my father has never deer hunted I do not have to luxury of being 'grandfathered' into to any hunting property so to speak. I am completely at the mercy of people who will take me hunting and public lands. I hate being so dependant but luckily I have a boss who has taken me hunting a few times this year as he is an avid bowhunter. Sorry: enough background... Now to the point, what the hell do I do now? Looks like I am going to completely strike out this season, though I couldn't care less. I had 2 deer jump the string on me, one of which I was pretty sure I still hit although over an hour of searching turned up not a single drop of blood. My bow sounds like something akin to a screened front porch door shutting when I release, and has an IBO that is probably about the same as my pickup truck. I know that I want to upgrade and have spent the last couple weeks shopping around. I know that buying a new bow is personal choice so I'm not asking for help here. What I am asking you guys is what do I do in the off season? It looks like I am going to be completely dependant on public lands next season and I know I prefer stalking to sitting in a tree stand but I will probably spend a fair amount of time doing both. I would like to improve my scent covering, I only about halfway through the season aquired detergent, soap, deoderant, etc.. So what do I do in the off season? Besides shoot at targets.. How can I study and improve my chances of getting deer on public lands? What do you guys recommend for someone who is getting out of the entry level gear and into the mid-range gear? Thanks again for this site and forum... I have learned so much and I can't wait to really join in but I haven't popped my cherry yet so to speak. I know this was long, thanks for reading.
I've got a similar beginning to my hunting, but had some friends that i chatted with to gain knowledge. One thing I did early on was reading a couple books like Mapping Trophy Whitetails, Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails and Bowhunting Forrest & Deep Woods Bucks.
Welcome to the site! My advice-- 1- Read! As much as you can. There are a ton of great books on deerhunting, topo maps, tracking... Soak up as much as you can. 2- Practice! I know you're planning on it already, but it's important! 3- Walk! Get in the woods. Try and find deer sign. Try and observe deer. Even if it's not the exact property you'll be hunting, you can still apply much of what you learn to other woods. 4- Post! Keep asking questions here. There's a great group of gals & guys here that would be happy to give you a hand on your journey. 5- Hangout! You have a start with your boss. Find others that hunt and make time to hangout with them. They can help just as much as we can. Just my opinion. Welcome to the obsession!
Thank you for the book reccomendations. If they have them at a local store I will probably try to pick one up today. I am an information ***** so I will try to read as many books as I can in the off-season. I don't really have a lot of hunting connections yet but I have been trying to acquire some. Most of the people I talk to think that I am crazy for 1, wanting to focus mainly on stalking deer, and 2, trying to bow hunt public lands during gun season. My boss said something to the effect of "I wouldn't go anywhere near public lands during gun season, some dumbass is going to shoot you if you are walking around on the ground." I have no problem covering long distances so I would be willing to hike a few miles, although getting a deer out is something I would have to think about. I think I will have to hone up on my field dressing knowledge and be able to pack out the meat - which is the number one reason I want to hunt. For gear I know two major purchases other than a new bow I need to make are boots and a pack. Rubber boots seem to the best for scent coverage BUT I don't really want to invest a lot of money in rubber boots if I am constantly going to be on the move as I see a problem with moisture being sealed inside them. I think I will buy a solid pair of leather/rubber boots and just make sure I cover scent them before heading out. I also need a pack BUT the prices on good packs get a little ridiculous. Sure Badlands makes awesome packs but 240 retail for a glorified camouflauge bookbag seems a little out there. I just bought a brand new osprey 60L camping pack for 180 (on sale) last year and that thing blows hunting packs out of the water. Also scentlok seems to be the way to go...its just expensive. I love that vertigo pattern even for being on the ground. I think breaking up your outline is the most important thing which is why I stay away from most mossy oak and realtree. I ordered a predator stalker jacket (from the web site) in fall grey and brown deception pants about a month ago and I love them, I just wish the quality was a little higher...I am thinking about ordering scentlok baselayers to control scent, especially since I want to stalk I think this is one of the most important considerations for me. I am looking at bows that have a slightly smaller ATA but I have a large wingspan (~75'') so I always have to consider draw length. I am trying to stay under 500 for everything (bow wise) so its been a little tough. Although the Hoyt Rampage is one bow I have heard good things about. I am heading to another local bow shop to check out some bowtech and matthews later today. I also will probably try to find an affordable climbing stand at some point. My boss says he has two and he doesn't use them so I will probably buy one from him super cheap.. He has let me borrow a Nikon range finder which I will try to buy from him as well since it is his old one. Welcome to the obsession is right, I am hooked.. I will even try to get out there this turkey season and bowhunt.
If you plan on doing a lot of stalking and little stand hunting, I wouldn't worry as much about scent blocker. You can get regular camo and wash it in scent free wash. If you're moving on your feet, you can utilize the wind. All the scent stuff can help, but the wind is your most effective scent tool. I do have a bunch of scent stuff though, including a Log 6 ozone machine. Save the money for starters, then you can ease into all that junk. I'd rather see you put more $$ into your equipment.
Henry, welcome to the addiction! I would agree with your boss about public land/gun season. Those guys scare the shist outta me. I agree with what Fitz said and would add a recomendation to your reading list. Stalking and still hunting by T. J. Conrads, great guy, good info. Practice daily. And if you can shoot from positions you would when you're hunting. Kneeling, sitting, twisting, whatever it might be. As far as a pack goes, I just got this one and like it pretty well. I added two buddy lock pouches to the front to carry my range finder and gps and flash light. And keep them in the front where I can reach them quickly even while wearing the pack. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...ack&x=24&y=6&Ntt=pack&WTz_l=Header;Search-All Also I would suggest you try bowfishing. Then you will find out there is no "off season". :D
Learn and study deer and their habits for all age classes and sex. This is going to take some "seat" time. It don't happen over night. The reading, as mentioned earlier, will help translate what you are seeing in the field. This will help you the most in getting a deer. The best archer in the world won't get a deer if he can't find them. An average archer can get more deer if he knows where to find them.
I shot a 2008 Mathews Drenalin at a local pro shop today and loved it. Very lightweight and slim. I think it would be great for stalking... The shop assistant, a young guy, said that they would sell it for 599. I thought this was a little steep since he said it was the shop's demo which they can sell now. It was in good condition. I am thinking about getting it BUT 600 is too much for a shop demo bow that is 3 years old. What do you guys think? Maybe if I talk to someone higher up and I have cash in my pocket what do you think its worth? Plus I would have to get arrows, a new rest, and I need to get a new sight as my old one is currently superglued together.
That a great bow. Both my wife and I shoot Drenalins Is that price for a bare bow? You might be able to get it for low to mid 500s if you talk to the Man and wave some cash. If it has a rest sight etc... I'd say go for it!
599 Just for the bare bow. I really love this bow, but adding arrows, rest, sight, stabilizer.. it just leaps out of my price range. If the shop owner will come down to say 450 since it is an old demo I would jump on it. Otherwise I will keep looking. I have heard good things about a Hoyt Rampage, which is brand new at a different shop for 450 (bare). I haven't shot the Rampage yet, but something about that Matthews just felt right.
My opinion is that's expensive for a 3 year old shop demo bow, those get beat on pretty hard. For around 600 bucks you can get a nice brand new RAK bow, or buy a used bow that hasn't been shot by everyone and their mother in law.
I found someone selling a bare Drenalin for $400 tyd which seems like a much more reasonable price and even though the grip is worn, it looks like it is in good condition. Also can someone link me to Gri22ly's (spelling?) post on topography? I have seen it referenced many times in the forums but I don't think I have ever stumbled across it, thanks.
Shoot coyotes with you bow! Thats what i do and it works great for practice...and you get to be in the outdoors even more!
Congrats on the Bow, and welcome to the site, all of the advice above is priceless keep taking it in. One thing I noticed is that you are willing to walk and stalk and thus possibly creating a need to pack the game out from a long distance, I recommend checking with your fish and wildlife regulations before doing this. In Vermont and some other East coast states (I believe) you have to check the animal in at a reporting station "Whole" (Not including field dressing). But basically we cant quarter an animal and pack it out, becomes more of an issue with moose hunting for us than deer, but just thought i would mention it before you find yourself in that situation. good luck!
Thank you for the advice about packing out the animal. I hadn't considered that.. ASAT Vanish Pro 3d suit ordered. Now I just need to get a pack and some good boots... and I still want to invest in some scent blocking base layers. Do you guys have any suggestions? I have seen some good looking packs on Cabelas, BUT a lot of them are fanny packs with the shoulder straps and I have never owned one of those before. Here are some of the packs I have been looking at. (Just missed a Sitka Ascent pack 2010 that someone was selling today for 75.) http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunt..._l=SBC;cat104791680;cat104734980;cat104392080 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunt..._l=SBC;cat104791680;cat104734980;cat104392080 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunt..._l=SBC;cat104791680;cat104734980;cat104392080 Unfortunately none of those have any scent lok technology in them. Also I'm not quite sure if you can comfortable strap a bow to a shoulder strap fanny pack model... For boots I have no idea. I know I'm supposed to go with the rubber boots but they don't seem like they would be comfortable if I plan on hiking at least a couple miles every trip in them.. Do you guys have any suggestions for boots that work and dont break the bank?
Scent Blocker is alright, but not a necessity. I really have my doubts that it even works, though I do wear the BaseSlayers. For a pack, those all look nice, but there's one thing I like in a pack when I'm walking, and that's pockets that wrap around your waste and snap in front. It makes it real convenient to throw calls, a wind checker, phone, range finder, etc. in those front pockets. That way if you're stalking, and you decide you need your grunt tube or range finder, you don't have to go through the hassle of taking your pack off to get to things. For boots, I just bought a plain pair of Lacrosse Burly boots for $65. They were fantastic all year. In real cold weather I just wore 2 pair of socks and used some Toasty Toes! Do you have a range finder? If you intend to do alot of stalking, that's something I'd REALLY consider. In fact, I'd skip the Scent Block and go with a range finder.
