Category Archives: deer hunting

deer hunting

Deer Hunting Tips

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Deer hunting is an interesting thing that reminds you of those golden old ages of 19th centuries, where a handsome hunk well equipped with all hunting material rides on horse searching for his target animal either for the purpose of displaying his masculine powers or for enticing and wooing his lady love. Sounds interesting and fascinating? Yes it is! But unfortunately, gone are those days. However, even when deer hunting is carried out these days; it happens to be a amusing and entertaining experience.

Successful deer hunting doesn’t require much of a deliberated effort on the part of the hunter. Rather, if few simple tips and things are kept in mind, it would certainly make it a triumphant adventure. So, now pack up your bags and get ready to play the exciting game of hunting deer without any extra ado.

Timing:
Time is one of the chief factors to be kept in mind before leaving for deer hunting. The best time to bag a deer are sunsets and sunrise. This is because the lightning at these times confuses the sight of deer and you can see herd of this poor animal looking for its food for the purpose of filling its empty stomach. These timings also ensure the safety of your teammates. You can also start as early as possible before sunrise by hiding yourself in safe places. This way you can easily pounce upon your required variety as sun rises, without getting noticed by them.

Things to avoid:
If you think your most expensive perfume will aid you in catching your prey, then think again. It would be better, if you avoid any kind of perfumes, after shaves, colognes or any kind of sturdy scented fragrance. Try to keep the artificial smells to minimum. Before leaving for deer hunting, try to blend the smell of your body with countryside, otherwise the smell of human body may deteriorate your purpose of deer hunting. You can always try out these expensive and powerful smelling deodorants after you are finished up with your deer hunting.

Silence: the best guiding factor
Keeping mum considerably increase your chances of deer finding. Though deer hunting may be a fun-packed and amusing experience for you and your friends, you need to take care of the noise factor. Deer remain quite cautious about sound. This is the most important tip to be kept in mind while driving for deer hunting; otherwise you will end up losing that prized buck.

These few simple basic tips, if kept in mind, will result in a better deer hunting experience; a memorable amusing and enjoyable adventure not only for you, but for your team mates too. So what are you waiting for? Get, set and go on your hunting spree.

deer hunting

Whitetail Deer Management

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by: John Cook

The deer management techniques that we use on our property have changed a lot over the past thirty years in relation with the changing deer herd. Whitetail deer numbers in the entire state of West Virginia have grown considerably and our land has been no exception.

We started shooting does in 1997 after the pictures from our scouting camera revealed that we were overloaded with does. Since then we have shot 22 does and only 7 bucks. Three of these bucks, two 8-points and one 10-point are the three largest antlered bucks that we have taken in the last thirty years. We had noticed that there were larger antlered bucks when the deer population had just started to climb in the eighties and then antler sizes began to decrease as the deer numbers grew too high and we were shooting the young bucks each year.

All of this made us realize that we needed to lower the deer population by shooting does and letting the young bucks grow up.

We are currently doing several different things in an attempt to have a well-balanced, healthier deer herd on our farm. These include:

Harvesting does.

Letting young bucks grow up.

Planting food plots to help boost the nutrition.

Mineral licks.

Keep records on the deer harvested and a log of the bucks seen during hunting season.

Leave an area of sanctuary during the hunting season so that the deer are not pressured.

Provide a limited amount of shelled corn with automated wildlife feeders.

On some occasions we also cut down trees to provide browse in the winter and fertilize plants growing along the edges, especially the honeysuckle.

The Results

Since changing our hunting strategies we have noticed some changes for the better. We have seen bucks fighting, which we had seldom seen in past years and bucks have started reacting to calling, particularly grunting. We are finding shed antlers now; sheds are hard to find when they’re just spikes. Also the numbers of bucks as compared to does caught on our scouting camera pictures has increased dramatically. This tells us that our buck to doe ratio is improving.

On the other hand, we still feel that our total deer numbers are too high. The body weights of the deer we are shooting are still low. The body weights of the three does that we shot in 1997 ranged from 65 to 85 pounds while the weights of the four does in 2003 varied from 55 to 82 pounds. Although we are not deer aging experts we do look at tooth wear to determine the approximate age of the deer. We usually look at the lower front teeth. A couple of the does that we’ve shot have had these lower front teeth worn all the way to the gumline.

Record Keeping

I believe that the records that we keep have given us a lot of valuable information. We record every buck that we see during hunting season. We include the date, time, number of points, location, person who saw buck, time, and rack width and characteristics. During the season of 2003 we recorded 87 buck sightings, of course many of these bucks showed up several times. It is neat to look back and see the bucks grow up that we have recorded. The rack characteristics are similar from year to year and allow us to identify many of the deer that we see. Most years I am able to look at this list and figure out an approximate number of different bucks that we have seen.

We have also kept deer harvest data since 1997 and I wish that I had started doing this earlier. This data includes the time, date, number of points, location, hunter, dressed weight, inside antler spread and approximate age. I think that we can tell a lot from the weight data and wish that we had kept track of the weights from the bucks that we had shot several years ago when we first got our scales. The weights of the bucks that we have shot since 1997 have ranged from 72 to 130 pounds. The 72 pound deer was a spike that my 9 year old son shot in 2002. The 130 pound buck was an 8-point that I killed in 2000. I knew that this buck was at least three and one-half years old and most likely a year or two older. I had watched this buck for the two previous years when he was a nice wide 6-point and had found one of his shed antlers in 1998. We also had a few pictures of him from our scouting cameras.

One suggestion that I would have for every deer camp would be to buy a set of scales. They provide a lot of information for the relatively cheap cost.

Whitetail deer management is not difficult, is good for the overall health of your deer herd and a lot of fun.

You can read more about our deer management at my website www.whitetaildeer-management-and-hunting.com.

About The Author

I have been deer hunting in West Virginia for close to 30 years. Now I am teaching my children to hunt and enjoy it more each year.

deer hunting

Deer Hunting Stand Plans for Your Needs

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For many hunters, it is essential to have their own hideaways with which to work, meaning they have to search through various deer hunting stand plans to find one that is suitable for their own purposes. Knowing what sorts of plans are available and how simple each plan can be to assemble and disassemble in the field can make all the difference in your choice of type of deer hunting stand plans.

Whether you are shooting a rifle, a crossbow, or a simple bow and arrow, you’ll find that being elevated is essential to the ability to seek out deer without being readily detected. While ground blinds can work in some instances, you have a better view from atop a stand and are less likely to be seen, heard, or smelled by prospective targets. Therefore, deer hunting stand plans are key elements for your hunting trip’s success.

Probably the most common choice among deer hunting stand plans is the fixed stand. When you find a favorite location within your hunting ground, it makes sense to simply erect a stagnant stand and leave it for your hunting purposes. These are also often the most stable choice of stands, being that they are made to stand in place and support anywhere from two to four large men. While more portable stands are not quite as sturdy in order to be more easily disassembled and moved, deer hunting stand plans for a fixed position stand are probably the strongest available. In order to get to your stand, you may want to consider the use of tree steps, which can easily be nailed onto any existing tree trunk.

Some stands that are built like the fixed position stands are easily portable so that they can be carried from one location to another, geared to please hunters who hunt multiple grounds throughout the deer season. Of course, there are other alternatives as well. A climbing tree stand will give you the mobility you need on the ground to move about but also allow you to haul up into a tree in a hurry should the need arise as a nice doe comes near. A ladder tree stand is one of many deer hunting stand plans that can make you feel safe and secure. Via the support of the tree itself, this type of stand can be a failsafe mechanism that can hold the weight of one or two men and still be moved from place to place with ease.

Whatever deer hunting stand plans you study and choose, you’ll find that they will make a world of difference in the field, allowing you to target your prospect without spooking it.

deer hunting

Buying or Building Deer Hunting Blinds

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Traditionally, deer hunting blinds are used to spot and hunt deer in the wild, hidden among the trees of wooden areas where deer tend to feed and drink. However, most of these have been commercial products erected in specific deer hunting grounds that are highly commercialized and often part of a deer farm or preserve, where hunters pay to use the land, stay in a cabin or lodge, and make use of blinds on the property.

Of course, some people have long found that they can catch deer practically in their own backyards, hunting in woods near their homes. The problem has arisen with the inability to hide adequately and keep from spooking the deer by making noise or leaving scents down on the ground. However, there are ways to avoid both situations with prefabricated deer hunting blinds. No longer do you have to struggle to build your own blind or pay to use one elsewhere. Instead, you can use a prefabricated construction set and build your own blind.

These units simplify the angles and tower construction so that you can build a rock solid blind on your own, and best of all, they are often easily disassembled and reassembled so that you can transport them to other exciting deer hunting locations for use. Look for steel brackets on your prefabricated deer hunting blinds to assure their sturdiness upon construction, and look for units that offer custom sleeves into which leg posts and framing can easily slide for safety, security, and ease of assembly.

Ultimately, you should be sure that whatever deer hunting blinds you are looking at come with detailed assembly and disassembly instructions so that there are no questions and the safety of the unit is not compromised by guesswork. Also, don’t settle for an expensive setup when you can find something of the same quality for less money. There are plenty of inexpensive units available so that you don’t have to waste time and money. Keep in mind also that deer hunting blinds should assess the basic needs of a hunter and do not need to be luxurious or any particular beautiful color. Green and brown blend in with the woods, camouflaging the unit for deer, and your interior comfort is of no concern to wild animals.

If you’ve ever been involved in hunting deer and sat in a blind for hours on end, you’ll realize that the important elements are visibility – your ability to see the deer from all sides and their inability to see you – and sturdiness. Since these elements can easily be accomplished with a small amount of money by opting for one of many prefabricated deer hunting blinds, there is no reason to spend a lot of extra time on building your own or extra money either renting one from someone else or buying one with a lot of “fluff”.

deer hunting

Lubbock hunter sets state record with 222-pound, 17-point mule deer – LubbockOnline.com

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Lubbock hunter sets state record with 222-pound, 17-point mule deer
LubbockOnline.com
It is the largest mule deer killed in Texas and the largest all-around deer killed in District 2 during the 2010 hunting season. Noble, a Lubbock resident, was packing up after a long morning in his hunting lease located in Crosby County. …

Source: Lubbock hunter sets state record with 222-pound

deer hunting

Respect for the Sport of Deer Hunting

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Deer hunting is a major pastime and hobby in many areas of the country but perhaps none so strongly adoring as the state of Texas. While many hunters are found throughout the south, the majority of deer hunting takes place in Texas, where several types of deer and other game and foul can be found for hunting purposes.

The most common type of deer found in Texas and throughout the southern region of the country is the whitetail, named such because its erect tail is white on the underside. This makes the species easily identifiable, especially in conjunction with their miniscule size compared to most other deer species and their tendency in youth to have spotting on the rear parts of the body. The second most popular target for deer hunting is perhaps the mule deer, a larger species that is also less regulated by hunting laws and restrictions.

Because it is such a common way to spend a few days during open season from late November to mid December, deer hunting is strongly regulated both to preserve the deer population and to assure the safety of hunters. The sport is set up so that no hunter takes advantage of the heavy population in a certain area and wastes the product; deer are to be killed and harvested with reserve, making sure that both hides and meat are used from each deer carcass. While trophy hunting is allowed, it is usually restricted to certain areas, and only one trophy taken per season per hunter under normal circumstances.

For the safety of all who partake of deer hunting, there are rules in regards to daylight and hunting. In Texas, you may not discharge a firearm from thirty minutes after dusk through thirty minutes before dawn. This is a safety precaution for other hunters, whose orange reflective gear will be unable to reflect enough light to be identified and could be hit with friendly fire by mistake. Also, fully automatic weapons are illegal throughout the state.

In deer hunting, you must also learn to respect the prey for which you aim, allowing them certain space. In Texas, there are some public areas where it is illegal to hunt, including federal and state parks and wildlife reserves and refuges. In these areas, the native wildlife is allowed to roam free and reproduce to keep the population in balance.

Deer hunting is a beloved tradition in many families, but it is necessary to obey the laws and to maintain safety while hunting as well as to have a good time. Laws and regulations are in place for the safety of the hunters and the preservation of wildlife for future generations of hunters, so ignoring them is to your own detriment.

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What to Know About Whitetail Deer Hunting

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You’ve probably heard a lot about whitetail deer hunting and are curious as to what is so popular about it. For the most part, it is simply one of the most common species of deer, especially in the United States, making it a popular target for deer hunters. However, before you can go whitetail deer hunting, you should know a little about them and their habitat so that you can target them correctly.

The first thing you’ll notice when whitetail deer hunting is the reason these deer are referred to by such a name. They have a relatively long, broad tail for deer that is white on the underside (which is usually visible, due to the fact that the tail sticks up in the air). These deer are relatively small and generally have short ears. Females do not have antlers, and the antlers on bucks have all major points coming off the main beam. On average, males weigh between 30 and 70 kilograms when full grown (60-160 pounds), with females being slightly smaller.

It is most important in whitetail deer hunting to know where to find your target. You’ll do best searching hardwood areas in the south, with Texas being one of the major home states of this breed. In southeastern Texas, this is slightly adjusted due to the more mixed vegetation including or almost exclusively pines, in which whitetail can also make their homes. If you trek over to the Chisos Mountains of Texas, you’ll find that, while mule deer inhabit much of the lower foothills and bases of the mountains, whitetail deer hunting is best within the upper mountains themselves. However, in most other places, such as the Guadalupe Mountains, this is completely vice versa, with whitetails preferring the foothills.

You’ll notice in whitetail deer hunting that these animals are dainty eaters and can be quite choosey in their meal tickets. In the Chisos Mountains, you would do best to target them in areas where they can feed extensively on mountain mahogany and low shrubs, while specimens in the Edwards Plateau area are more likely to graze on forbs and grass. You’ll also find that whitetail deer hunting can occur in a very concentrated area, since these deer have a small home range and won’t stray far from it, especially where food is abundant. In fact, some marked whitetails have been noted to spend at least three years inhabiting less 600 acres.

Once you’ve determined what you are looking for and where you are going to be able to find it, you can make a success of your whitetail deer hunting trip with ease. Following these guidelines will make your trip enjoyable and fruitful.

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Deer Hunting Texas Regulations

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When you decide to go deer hunting, Texas has regulations just like all other areas of the country. Before you strike out on the path to bag a buck or two, you should be familiar with the regulations for deer hunting. Texas is quite strict, and though hunting is a popular sport and a way of life in the state, violation of laws can really put you in a fix.

Firearms: In deer hunting, there are a few regulations as to what firearms you can use. Rimfire ammunition of any caliber is not allowed in hunting whitetail, mule deer, or antelope of any kind. Pellet guns, air guns, fully automatic firearms, and silencers are illegal in Texas for deer hunting.

Hunting Hours: During open season shooting hours for all game begins half an hour before sunrise and ends half an hour after sunset. For more exact information on these time periods for deer hunting, Texas has its published sunrise/sunset times on the internet.

Hunting Season: For various types of deer hunting, Texas has separate seasons. For example, pronghorn antelope may be hunted (by permit only) for one week, usually the first of October (in the 2006-2007 season this was between September 30 and October 8). Whitetail deer ranged, depending upon location in Texas, between the end of October and the middle to end of January. Mule deer season was also varied by region, with archery allowed from the end of September to the end of October, and open season lasting between the middle of November and the first part of December.

County Restrictions: Because there are areas in which it is illegal to discharge a firearm or even shoot an arrow, even when deer hunting, Texas counties should be researched for distinct restrictions. For example, you cannot possess, shoot or hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow in land or water in the Aransas and Poesta Rivers in Bee County or in the state-owned riverbeds of McMullen and La Salle counties. These are just a few locations that are restricted; you should research further for a full list.

Public Areas: When deer hunting, Texas has regulations regarding certain public areas. In designated Public Hunting Areas, all hunters must have a permit. Hunting is also illegal in any wildlife sanctuary, national, state, or Federal Park or refuge, discharge a firearm or hunt on a public road, or any area designated as a propagation or nesting area.

Harvest Rules: In deer hunting, Texas hunters are required to immediately log in ink the kill of a whitetail on the back of the hunting license for purpose of report. However, completion of such paperwork is not required for mule deer or whitetail taken under special permits (such as MLD permits). Some counties require a specific sized antler in order to harvest a deer, and these regulations are firm regarding the distance between the points of the antlers. Check regulations in each county in which you will be participating in hunting season.