Background first: Most of my life I have thought about hunting but never had the want or way to actually get out and do it. Well I married into a hunting family and have decided to get into it. My first adventure was 2 years ago and I went out for 1 day, sat on the ground hiding under a pine with my 3030 and saw 6 doe but didn't take a shot. Said "hey this is easy I'm definitely going to start hunting!" So this year comes around and I picked up a bow in the fall after shooting a couple of different ones and took off into the woods (yes I know, stupid decision having almost zero shooting experience). 5 day trips later... and I never saw a single deer. Most likely due to my lack of preparation or doing anything. So here it is, I have been surfing the web and reading articles, forums and watching shows and online videos but I am still just a complete newb to hunting. The only property I have currently at my disposal besides public hunting land is some land that is in the wifes family and is ~200 acres. The problem with this property is that the family uses it for about anything. 1 weekend someone may be riding atv's and 2 weeks later someone might be shooting fully automatic machine guns. Asking this behavior to change is not an option as I am the guest here. The family has been hunting the property for ~20 years and the herd has become fairly thin. In recent years most of the family has moved on from hunting or onto other properties so I don't have much competition. Right now only 2 other people hunt the property but that can change at a moments notice. I plan this spring on getting out and scouting for where they seem to be moving, bedding and hanging out. We know from a couple of pictures at my brother in laws feeder there are at least some deer still around. Any tips anyone has would be greatly appreciated. My gear: Bow: G5 quest hammer Broadheads: NAP bloodletters Clothing: Anything I could find on sale and my $25 jacket from Walmart.
Welcome to the best bowhunting site on the net. But instead of us telling you everything you need to know in one thread, I would suggest you visit a bunch of threads that sound interesting or check out the blogs. Lots of good information on hunting and equipment there. http://www.bowhunting.com/blog/ Then when you have specific questions ask away or ask in the other threads. You will find you get better responses by asking specific questions. Have fun and good luck.
If you have any specific questions feel free to message me! I have a good deal of experience in scouting and preparing property for hunting. I acquired a new property last year and put alot of work into it and had good results from it. I'm more than willing to help you!!
Thanks for the responses guys. It's so general of a post because its how I'm looking at it right now. Just trying to.figure out where to start. Guess my first steps this spring will be to just get out and try and find where the deer are and moving at.
Welcome to the forums! Best thing you can do in the beginning is read as much as you can stand and wear out your first pair of hunting boot
I agree with all the recommendations. Read as much as you can stand. Then spend time in the field. After a while, the time in the field will help you understand what you have read. And you will never quit learning.
Welcome to the addiction. I was in the same position as you except I don't have any land in my family. If you want to bow hunt invest in good camo, I prefer ASAT's 3d suit for ground hunting and predator fall grey for tree stand, and make sure you get some scent removing detergent to wash your clothes with. Also shoot a lot. Then shoot some more. If most of the family has given up hunting the land that may be to your benefit. On any given season a big buck could come in there and claim territory so go scout and shed hunt the property right now and you might be surprised. Also, don't tell the other guys what you find in too much detail. Since its their land they will surely steal your spots. Make them put the leg work in if they want the info. If you are really new I think the best advice is to stay mobile when hunting. Play the wind and stay on your feet. I think you can loose a lot of time trying to gamble on hanging stands and sitting in them all day if you aren't really sure of where the good spot are and aren't. Read up on topography, there is a great thread around here somewhere on it, and keep moving. In my opinion that is the best way to learn how and where and especially why and when the deer move. Much better than sitting in a tree stand in an off location twiddling your thumbs.
Experience is the best teacher..that being said, your on the right track, read, watch tons of videos and maybe join a sportsman club hang around and ask questions. Maybe someone can take you under their wing and help you out. It's always good to have someone whether a family member or friend with experience to help out. Most of us addicts are more then willing to help someone who is going to join the brotherhood and make us strong. Can't turn people away, need more to keep us strong.
Welcome, and I wish I had your oportunities to hunt whitetail but there are none to be found for the states around me so I'm goin after blacktail and everyone tells me how tough it is!!! treestands are not an option here, its all ground and pound and alot of luck. Most of my huntin buddies dont get deer but every cpl years and thats with rifles but Im still goin after bucks with my bow, I just wish I could find a good site for blacktail hunting too.
Alot of good advice..200 ac. is alot to work with and if they ride atvs and shoot around there all the time as long as the deer dont associate that as a threat they usually will get used to it and it wont bother them. Some other good sources are trail cams, not sure if your wanting to put alot of money into hunting but they are a good source of information and save you lots of miles. Check them every two weeks and then move them around to other areas to see whats in that area. Also when you kill a deer or someone else kills a deer on the property check to see what it has been feeding on and then you can play your cards off of that. Also be willing to move if you hunt in a spot a few times and see deer moving in the same area over and over move closer to them, hunt different times of the day in different areas and just find out what works, and learn there patterns. It may take 1-2 seasons maybe more to actually learn the patterns especially on a big piece of property. Hope this helps if you need anything just message me ill be glad to help
Thanks for the info. I am shopping for trail cams right now and am hoping to get one in and set up by spring. Unfortunately I only have 1 day a week to hunt, Saturdays. Since there is no hunting on Sundays and society tells me 5days a week, 8hrs a day is how it goes. So different times of day etc. isn't much of an option. Depending on the weather and how the wife is reacting I try to get out in the morning at stay all day to try and get the most of what I have. Last year not a single deer was harvested off the property or the neighbors property (that I am aware of). The bother in law had a camera out during last season and we only caught 2 bucks on camera. Both at night and only 1 of them barely a shooter. As soon as we start getting warmer weather I am going to get out and scout and post some topos to get some input.
