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deer hunting

Footprints Tell Stories

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It’s more than just tracking down the deer whenever the hunter finds a set of prints on the ground, and though the answer is pretty much an open debate for most experienced hunters, it could tell a thing or two about the targeted buck.

For some, footprints bring about the awareness of the animal being nearby, or trailing them in the right direction. Of course this is merely factual information that footprints are like arrows pointing the way. Deer are habitual creatures that have similar needs and travel in nearly similar routes. One thing to watch out for is a possible high volume of deer traffic in a particular funnel. There are times that more than one set of footprints may be found, in varying sizes and shapes of the hoof, or toes by most hunters.

As for shape, they do tell an interesting fact about the buck. Of course the deep the impression on the footprint can be the older bucks as well as the toes being a little rounder at the tip. This tells a story about a mature buck with heavy antlers, possibly having to survive three ruts in its lifetime. It would be hard to contain the excitement, but there’s more to it at times.

Larger doe can also exhibit a similar set of tracks, and possibly even a deeper impression once they’ve stepped on that part of the ground. There are times when some young bucks about a year old may seem small compared to older doe. So depending on the permit to also hunt down antler less deer, they can be left alone or be used to an advantage, especially during a rut.

A more populated set of footprints can tell a great deal about their habitat. When a hunter looks around and finds the things a deer needs to survive, like a river nearby, ample grass and vegetation as well as rubbings on a tree and how deep the mark is. It’s clear that a buck may return here and the best place to set up a good firing position.

The best tactic when it comes to knowing about a deer’s tracks and determining if the area is a good spot is to leave things undisturbed. Any animal may be unnerved to find a set of human footprints and just scamper away. Preparation on the hunter’s part is also the key as he showers with a scentless soap and has some tools to aid in luring the animal, it won’t be long before claiming this part of the forest as your personal and rich hunting ground.

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Virtual Deer Hunting

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There are times when a hunter’s need to stay ahead of the game and practicing rifling or bow skills on a wooden animal may not be enough. Here are some arcade games for next generation consoles to keep those skills sharp and have fun in the process.

And wearing a camouflage suit isn’t required.

Big Buck Hunter is one of the arcade titles that can be found in the nearest arcade or mall and developed by Play Mechanix, Inc. The player can choose up to four zones in North America, which the sequel also includes Canada, and start hunting. Certain game objectives like shooting as many bucks as possible without including the doe. Bonuses are awarded for accuracy and certain double and triple kills for bucks. It may sound straightforward, but it’s all about the fun factor and can be played for a couple minutes with a handful of quarters.

And if going to the mall is too much of a chore, then a gaming console is just as good nowadays with next generation consoles. Some titles for the PC and PlayStation 2 offers a better experience thanks to their unique control system and it’s better than the days of Duck Hunt (remember that?).

Deer Hunt Challenge series has been around for nearly 10 years and created for the PC, and if you’re lucky enough to get it off eBay, you’ll enjoy the feel of being a hunter by using a mouse. Options like tournament mode and traditional hunting can be done with this game. And if the need to hold something that’s similar to a gun, you may want to bring out the old PlayStation 2 and find Cabela’s Deer Hunt 2005. It offers a smarter deer and hunting game and a wide variety of games. There are still ‘light guns’ on the market that will allow any hunter to connect to the PlayStation 2 or PC in a real hunting fashion.

So technology has given the hunter another chance to satisfy the need for the hunt, after all, it might be just as exciting as the real thing. Regardless, the developers, who are big deer hunters as well, really appreciate creating the games to the closest possible thing, and purchasing a permit isn’t required.

With the Big Buck Hunter series, Deer Hunt Challenge and Cabela’s Deer Hunt 2005, it’s deer hunting season all year round.

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Invisible Hunter

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When choosing the proper attire, it’s nothing like foxhunting in that fashion along with the coat tails and all that bright-colored junk. Today’s deer hunter may go as far as looking almost invisible to the deer’s eyes. Back in the day, hunters would rely on thick bushes or hide behind trees with a good clearing to tag the buck. It can be an arduous task to begin with as it involves having to survey the surroundings before finding the right spot, only to realize that the hunter has left his scent to drive the buck away.

Some companies have taken great lengths to developing the best hunting gear that allows hunters to blend in naturally with their surroundings. Nothing close to being invisible like James Bond’s car, but at least it creates an optical illusion to deceive a buck’s vision before being tagged. Though it may cost a pretty penny, it would be the best investment to have the best outer protection and camouflaging to date.

One of the best-known camouflage outfits is the one made by Gore-Tex. Its parka has been designed to naturally blend with the surroundings without the need to actually be behind shrubbery or trees. You can practically be in front of the tree as you take aim and fire. It’s breathable, with small pockets to insulate the body heat while allowing moisture molecules to escape. It’s been a favored outfit for hunters all over for a couple years.

One of the most important parts of camouflaging with just your usual hunting clothes is to make sure that they’re comfortable enough. Practicality is good for hunters on a budget and it doesn’t need to make some sort of fashion statement. It’s hard to hunt in a rainy or snowy climate where the hunter would compromise his health before he actually finishes. So it’s more than just wearing a camouflage shirt lying around the, but it’s more the matter of functionality as the clothes would allow the hunter to blend in as naturally as possible.

And as always, any outfit will still smell of humans. It’s good to carry a bottle of scent remover before entering into the woods.

Whether for those who can afford a good camouflage outfit or have to settle with the ones in the closet, it’s important to know what sort of outfit is needed in order to keep the hunter safe, warm and nearly invisible to the buck’s eye.

deer hunting

Footprints Tell Stories

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It’s more than just tracking down the deer whenever the hunter finds a set of prints on the ground, and though the answer is pretty much an open debate for most experienced hunters, it could tell a thing or two about the targeted buck.

For some, footprints bring about the awareness of the animal being nearby, or trailing them in the right direction. Of course this is merely factual information that footprints are like arrows pointing the way. Deer are habitual creatures that have similar needs and travel in nearly similar routes. One thing to watch out for is a possible high volume of deer traffic in a particular funnel. There are times that more than one set of footprints may be found, in varying sizes and shapes of the hoof, or toes by most hunters.

As for shape, they do tell an interesting fact about the buck. Of course the deep the impression on the footprint can be the older bucks as well as the toes being a little rounder at the tip. This tells a story about a mature buck with heavy antlers, possibly having to survive three ruts in its lifetime. It would be hard to contain the excitement, but there’s more to it at times.

Larger doe can also exhibit a similar set of tracks, and possibly even a deeper impression once they’ve stepped on that part of the ground. There are times when some young bucks about a year old may seem small compared to older doe. So depending on the permit to also hunt down antler less deer, they can be left alone or be used to an advantage, especially during a rut.

A more populated set of footprints can tell a great deal about their habitat. When a hunter looks around and finds the things a deer needs to survive, like a river nearby, ample grass and vegetation as well as rubbings on a tree and how deep the mark is. It’s clear that a buck may return here and the best place to set up a good firing position.

The best tactic when it comes to knowing about a deer’s tracks and determining if the area is a good spot is to leave things undisturbed. Any animal may be unnerved to find a set of human footprints and just scamper away. Preparation on the hunter’s part is also the key as he showers with a scentless soap and has some tools to aid in luring the animal, it won’t be long before claiming this part of the forest as your personal and rich hunting ground.

deer hunting

Deer Hunting: Texas Style

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If you go to Texas, you will find out that there are a large number of deer hunter fanatics out there, who just love to hunt deer. It is a very routine kind of a thing there. Also, do you know that Texas is the second largest place in the nation to comprise of deer hunters? In Texas, there are a large number of deer available and all of different sizes and breeds. Even though, deer are in large numbers, many are discontented as they are allowed to hunt only a small number of deer.

But, to increase the popularity of deer hunting among out of the state people, hunting on land owned by private owners is permitted. A price is quoted for those who want to hunt on a private land by the owners themselves.

But, in order to do so, a license is needed for the land owner too to give access to others to hunt in their land

Also, to Texas residents, if they want to hunt in some wildlife parks or some national parks, though it is permitted, a license is required for hunting. You are bound to go behind the bars if you are not having a license. As Texas is such a large state, laws are strictly put into effect and also are quite stringent.

People who are interested in hunting can walk their dream in many ways. Often, they accompany their friends along to the hunting place and have a ball out there. Also, there are guides available for new people to Texas. If you are lucky enough, you can come back home with a deer trophy in your hand. But, not anybody can participate in hunting. It is quite necessary to pass a safety hunting course, which is put into effect by the authorities, if you want to participate in the competitions.

There is another way also to enter this adventurous competition. It is a lottery system implemented to bring more and more people into deer hunting, which are mostly applicable for a span of ten days. So, if your fate is walking with you, you can be chosen for the competition. During the season of the competition, many people come to see it. The whole competition area is flooded with audiences desperate to catch a glimpse. Texas Department of Wildlife says that more than 1.3 million is produced at the time of the season and that too in a year. It is advisable that you plan and book your hotel as soon as possible, if you are planning to go to Texas for a deer hunting journey. It is likely that no hotels will be available, if the schedule is delayed.

The money generated from the competition goes into conservation of the wildlife. Thus, it will be indeed a great experience to see the deer hunting programs in Texas.

deer hunting

Successful Deer Hunting: Tracking Down Your Prey

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When hunting, there are two kinds of hunters: One, a hunter that waits; and two, the hunter that tracks. The difference of two is the complexity of their hunting techniques though both aim for the same thing; bagging their prized bucks.

Tracking down your prey involves a more detailed approach in deer hunting. It involves knowing the specific differences between a buck and a doe, their patterns and behaviors. Unlike hunters who track their prey, hunters who prefer to wait for the buck on top of a tree or in a well-concealed shrub, they utilize deer calls or rattles to lure their prey into range. While the tracker will go to the prey, no matter where it goes; this proves to be more challenging than the latter.

Knowing the habits of bucks and does

Before you track your prey, you need to know the difference between the two. Since bucks are the normal target during hunting, does can only be a target when you have a special license for it, or during a specific season.

Tracking involves being aware of what’s on the ground rather than what’s in front of you. You first need to find a decent trail to determine if the deer is a buck or a doe. Buck trails have a much wider stance than that of a doe, and he has a swaggering gait that no doe can imitate.

The buck also has a tendency to drag his feet and leave a very good impression of his trail. The female deer, or does, on the other hand tend to pick up their feet, thus leaving a more ordered trail. Hunting a buck in the snow is much easier than hunting them in summer. Since snow leaves a very discernable trail, you can easily distinguish a buck from a doe.

If a buck and a doe are traveling together, one perfect place to determine the sexes of the trail is on a low lying tree. A doe tends duck under low branches and continues on its desired trail, while a buck needs to walk around the tree since his antlers might get tangled in the branch.

Urine trails can also help you in discerning your prey. Bucks tends to urinate while they walk, while does squat. When you see 3-feet long urine trail in the snow, then it is a buck you are trailing.

Preparation before tracking your prey

Before tracking down you prey, you need to first pay attention to your smell. As part of their defense mechanism, bucks tend to have a keener sense of smell and can detect you from a distance. Your smell can alert the buck of your presence and you might end up chasing it.

If you have a natural stink that can’t be removed by any non-smelling solvent, then you better pay attention to the direction of the wind. Make sure that you are on the downwind side so that your smell won’t reach your prey. Knowing the direction of wind will allow you to position yourself so the buck will be unsuspecting of your presence.

Make sure that your clothes aren’t washed with fragrant solutions like perfumes, colognes or branded detergents since the buck will instantly pick up these scents thus alerting him of your presence. You can purchase solutions that are perfect for deer hunters that can eliminate the smell from their clothes. These are quite expensive but a very useful tool if you plan on tracking.

Knowing the difference between a buck and a doe, as well as paying attention to the wind pattern and smell is a very complicated way in bagging your prey; the complexity level of tracking is definitely high but this is how experts do it.

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A Phony Deer

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Just like duck hunters who use lifelike decoys to lure ducks to a secluded pond, deer can also be attracted in that fashion. Be it the visual type or by taking advantage of the deer’s sense of smell, there are a few tricks to lure the deer that will soon be mounted on the hunter’s wall.

Decoying can be a dangerous tactic if you don’t follow some safety precautions. Even if deer scamper away by the scent of humans, an aggressive buck is something to look forward to, especially if it starts charging in the hunter’s general direction.

There are a few products in the recreational market to emulate certain smells and resemblances of a deer intruding on another’s territory. As hunters know deer are territorial in nature and a standoff with another buck would be a sight worth seeing, as long as it’s not aimed at the hunter himself.

Realistic decoys can be time consuming, depending on your artistic level. Unless decoy deer are sold at Wal-Mart then it would be easy, but for now it’s all about toying with a deer’s sense to protect its territory.

Once you’ve created a life-sized buck in the garage, it’s time to eliminate the scent. A decoy deer that smells of paint is something that any creature would be wary about, so it’s best to sit the decoy out to air dry before letting it ‘loose’ in another buck’s territory. Spraying some scent removers all over the deer is the perfect way to mask any human smells. The trick here isn’t just to lure, but to trigger the buck’s aggressive nature as it begins trailing the intruder. The effect can also be achieved by scraping the tree in a similar fashion and spraying it with some synthetic deer urine. That way, it will cause the buck to go crazy and once it’s sighted, just get ready to see what Animal Planet would have shown when it comes to deer. Just let the buck vent out a little on the poor, defenseless fake buck before shooting.

Though there are a few stories of failed decoy attempts that may have caused some injury to a hunter, this tactic is an effective way to bring that aggressive buck that will soon be mounted on the wall. Safety precautions and a good, clear position to shoot is also important for the hunter as it may very well mean his life if an angry buck spots him.

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Deer Hunting the Old Way

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Today rifles and shotguns are the more prominent way when it comes to hunting deer and other animals, consider the earlier settlers, where instead of a blunderbuss, the best way was using a bow.

Bow hunting is another way when it comes to hunting deer. Meant for the dexterous, bow hunting is a more delicate science and not just a sport, where the hunter must determine what sort of bow would be comfortable to use. This is nothing like Robin Hood and his longbows, I mean those were the only bows back then aside from crossbows. The difference here is to know where your draw length is, or the distance and strength on pulling the bow.

Several bow types like compound, stick types (the English longbows) or something like Rambo would use as long as there are no explosive heads. Never mind the brand for now since a lot of manufacturers have been making some of the best bows out there for hunting. And if a beginning bow hunter thinks it’s all about shooting arrows, guess again. Since most modern bows can be tuned according to the weight of drawing, it would be beneficial for those with weak arms or probably of advancing age. Just because a strong or heavy bow will kill just about anything, guess again. There’s science involved to know if the arrow’s trajectory is as flat as possible depending on the weight of the draw. For instance, killing a whitetail deer with an 80 lb. draw has a high risk of failure or the arrow falling off the rest comparing with a 60 lb. draw. Accuracy is the key when it comes to archery, and a sturdy and easy-to-use bow is the ticket for the perfect kill.

There are other things to consider, like what sort of shaft can be used. Similar to using a certain ammunition for a rifle, arrows can either be the cedar, aluminum, or carbon. Aluminum shafts are sturdy, lighter and much cheaper than carbon, and the best ammo to use for the hunt. In fact, it doesn’t stop there. Fletching or plastic type vanes are an integral part to make sure that any arrow shot will be flat and swift. Depending on the condition and user, vanes won’t be affected by cold or wet conditions in comparison to feathers, while the feathers offer a quieter shot once released.

It takes practice and being comfortable with a bow in order to hunt the old fashioned way, and it makes no difference if the person lives a modern lifestyle or deep into the woods.

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Deer Hunting: Deer Hunting Blinds

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Initially, blinds were just used as a cover device for the hunters to protect them from getting detected by the animals. Deer hunting blinds helped in locating deer hidden in the cliff area.

Deer hunting blinds is a commercial product easily available in the market place. These are also placed in deer hunting grounds and at different farms so that hunters can use them along with the other facilities of staying and lodging built over there in the form of a cabin.

Hunting deer in neighborhood-Prefabricated sets:
Deer can be hunted in the backyard of your house as well. However, the problem is only related with the inability to hide properly in the woods. Also, we tend to leave our scent behind in the hunting ground. These situations can be avoided by using proper hunting blinds. Pre fabricated hunting blinds are easily available in the market. Construction sets available in the market also help to build your own blind by setting the angle and height.

These sets can be easily disassembled and again be assembled to make it ready as a blind. You should look for steel brackets so as to assure that they are strong enough and can provide you enough safety.

Check:
While using a hunting blind just ensure that these hunting blinds are properly assembled. Disassembly instructions should also be carefully followed by you so as to leave you with no further questions on the safety aspect. While buying any such device, safety should be the top most priority. Cost concerns should be ignored as inexpensive units might ultimately lead you to loss.

Deer hunting blinds should be able to meet all the basic requirements of the hunter without causing any troubles. This does not mean that they are to be luxurious or should have excellent aesthetic features. The color should be simple to mix with the color of woods and trees and that is all that is required.

Important Elements of Blind:
One should be able to set up blinds in very little time, so that movement from one spot to other is easily possible. The most important thing that is required while sitting in a blind is the visibility. It is your ability to see a deer from different sides of the blind that is important. Moreover, the deer should not be able to see you. Many prefabricated blinds are available which can provide you these features without having letting to pay you any extra money for this.

Deer blinds might not be allowed legally at all the places. Therefore a hunter should check the laws before using any such device. Simply sitting at a standstill at a tree base is anyway permitted in all the regions where hunting is legal.

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How to use a tree stand while hunting

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Most deer hunters are now hunting from tree stands. If you are new to deer hunting, or if you have been hunting for a while but have yet to use this method, you should consider using a tree stand. The benefits of using a tree stand are that you will stay out of the deer’s range of view, you will keep your scent hidden from the deer, and you will increase the range of your view. You do need to take certain precautions, however, to make sure that you protect yourself.  
 
There are many types of stands and most are safe to use. Some of these include ladder-type stands, climbing stands, and lock-on stands. You can also nail boards to a tree. No matter what type of stand you are using, know that accidents can happen. If a stand seems unsafe to you, do not use it. If you are thinking about using a new tree stand and you are far from your home or from people in general, wait. You would be unable to notify anyone in the event that you were injured. Do not take using a tree stand lightly.
 
You will benefit by becoming familiar with some of the ways by which hunters injure themselves on or around tree stands. Accidents happen when hunters fall asleep. It happens more often that you would imagine. Hunters also get injured when they slip while climbing in or out of a tree stand. You cannot avoid things like excess moisture on your boot, or an exceptionally damp step. The third way by which hunters suffer injury using tree stands is having a piece of equipment break. Nothing is 100% dependable. The best way to avoid severe injury from these unfortunate events is to wear a safety harness.
 
Many hunters know the risk of not using a safety harness, but they still use tree stands without one. Your safety harness will only help you if you wear it. It is not good enough to put on the harness after you have settled into your stand. Climbing into or out of your stand is when you are most likely to be hurt, so you need to be wearing it before you begin ascending your tree stand. It only takes a minute to secure and is well worth the hassle. The damage done by a fall with a safety harness is minimal compared to one without. The safety harness will mean the difference between a few bruises and a premature death.
 
There are a few additional steps you need to consider while preparing to use a tree stand for the first time. Tree steps and tie-on ladders are two favorite methods used by hunters. Some also use large nails as steps. If you are looking to cut costs, go with the nails. They are cheaper than the ladders. Test the nail to make sure that it is strong, steady, and secure. Use nails that will fully support your weight. When nails bend, hunters slip and injure themselves. Use a drill to make pilot holes for the nails. Some hunters prefer to use climbing stands instead of nails, but they are more expensive and limit you to certain trees.
 
Consider using a tree stand as you hunt. It is an effective way to catch your prey off-guard. Both your body and your scent are above the deer’s vicinity. It also allows for a broader view as you study the landscape. Tree stands do cause accidents, though. Take all of the necessary steps to prevent any major injuries. Use a safety harness to shorten the distance of your fall. Make sure that the nails you use to climb the tree are secure. Following these steps for using a tree stand ensures a safe and pleasurable hunting experience.