Spot and stalk whitetails?...*NOT STILLHUNTING!*

[psychmonky]

Id like to hear from some of you that have consistent success, particularly in the woods. Ive really taken an interest as of late.

I know to play the wind, obviously but any other tips and tricks, as well as success stories would be greatly appreciated.

[NO SIGHTS]

It can be done i suppose, But them whitetails really like to carry the mail at any wrong movement as you probably know.

To me muleys are more open to such tactics but the whiteys are a whole different story.

Good luck!

[stevewills]

ive taken several stalking,when i set foot on my property i am stalking something either my tree,squirrel,.i like to start on the farthest point of my proerty downwind and start looking through my binos,once i see what im going after i always try to look ten steps ahead,that way i can determine if it will be loud or not,my best times to stalk whitetails are after a rain,or in wind with constant gust,i also love foggy mornings.i like working the fringes and move in when i see the deer and how he is bedded or direction he is moving......and do not nock an arrow till you are close to shooting,ive seen some bad accisents from broadheads...

[njloco]

Though I haven't shot anything as yet ( My choice ) I have stalked up to and had deer coming in the opposite direction and have gotten to within feet of them, yes it can be done but you need help from Mother Nature, ex. some wind, a wet ground, and of course the wind. it takes a lot of patience but it's a lot of fun and I love it.

Foot wear, some type of moccasin or real soft soled shoe, preferably some type of 3-D leafy wear including a good head net of some type. A good pair of binoculars , something like 7 X 25, or 8 X 30, I use 10 X 42, yes they are a little heavy but I don't have to walk too far on the East coast, and they give me a real good view. Spray yourself down with the scent killers, especially your head and hands. I also use a Niffty seat for two reasons, one, is if I get tired, and the other is if I find a real good ambush spot.

Hope this helps and good luck.

i did it the other day, i poped up over the river bank and seen a deer.
 he was just kneeling to bed down and i went down to my knees, and off he went.
 thought for sure he had seen me.
 as i stood looking i see two more deer siloueted against the opening of the river,moving my way.
they came to about seventy yards and bedded.(two young does).
 im still standing watching, then i see another one coming from where the buck went , and it was him.
he was watching the two does, and came in and bedded about fifty yards from me. then the does got up and readjusted and bedded back down. the buck got up a readjusted his position and bedded again, slightly closer.
 i was looking at the does, thinking should i try it or not...if i was going to leave them they would just spook off anyways , i figured.
 then the buck got up again and milled around, moving towards the does a bit , and bedded with his back against a small log and facing away from me.
  now was my opprotunity if i was going to try, but the does were facing to me, oh well go for it!...
   i got my feet down under the leaves and just started sliding them as slow as i could.
  it wasnt to long before i was within fifteen yards of the buck and in full view of the does.
  i couldnt believe i got this far right in front of the does.
  a little video i took while i was deciding what to do.
   

  if my shot would have been two inches higher i woulnt have shot the log...      

not really a spot and stalk, more of an opprotunity of beeing in the right spot at the right time.........unlike the rest of my season,..so far!!

  just go slow...did i say slo.o.o.o.ow.

[darin putman]

Last year, seven mile Island, public hunting land near home, bowhunting only and only from December 26 till end of January. Have shot many deer there over the years but all from stand and wheels. Back to last year, me and a pignut hickory selfbow shooting off the hand, no shelf, first year traditional, hunting off the ground. That's a lot of firsts, spotted a buck about 120 yds away in the middle of a corn field that had been cut with a few stalks standing in a row, with a little bit of tall grass around that row, not near enough for comfort. I remember thinking no way I can get across there without getting busted, the wind was blowing hard that day, right into my face, flat land with tree line to my back for cover I eased out,I would ease along buck plain in sight through grass/ stalks and if head came up would freeze, kinda crotching walk as low as I could. When I got  to about 50 yds buck was raised up looked my way again as he had several times during process only this time started walking my way. Couldn't believe it nice 7 or 8 pt coming at me, got within 25 yds. stopped looked at me, I was motionless couldn't believe what was happening. As he knew something wasn't right but not too alarmed he trotted pass during process closed distance to about 20 yds.  I failed to close the deal as I retrieved my arrow I have to say I was not only suprised but very satisfied with what had taken place. I believe me and my crooked stick would be able to close the deal should the same thing happen again.Sorry for the long story but only truly successful stalk I've ever put on whitetail and one of the most memorable hunts for me.And after practicing all summer I'm now ready.Got rid of my treestands along with my wheelie bow and still on the ground been within 8 yds of 3 this year, no arrows loosed yet. I'm mostly still hunting but when chance presents itself I won't be afraid to try and put a stalk on one again and hopefully be fully successful!!!Psychmonkey I'm not consistent but I managed to get close by spotting stalking once at least. Hopefully as I keep trying that will be something I can continue to improve upon, consistancy that is!!!!!Untill then I will just continue to use whatever cover is available,watch the wind, move very slowly not at all when eyes are watching, and try not to look human.

[toddster]

There area alot to doing it, but most common sense.  I have harvested 10 whitetail and two hogs stalking them.  I am by no means an expert but love doing it.
wind-  have to play the wind, but there is little more to that.  You also need to have an idea what the wind is doing as you move.  Is is carrying down a draw or banking off a ridge and swirling etc.
Terrain- Know your terrain and use it to your advantage.  Why stalk a deer through open hardwoods, when it is bedded down next to a small draw.  you can slip around, using the wind in your favor and harvest it.
clothes- you want the clothes to be scent free of course, but quiet.  "If you can run your thumbnail across it and make noise no good" fred bear.  You don't need it to rake across twigs and draw eyes stairing at you.
Footwear- you need boots that are quiet, comfortable and feel the ground, I love main huntin boot, but not good in cold weather.
Bino's- Stalkers great tool.  Get a pair that you can afford but the best you can.  It makes a big differance seeing the animal through brush, as well as easy on your eyes.  Big fan of liftetime warranty.  Your tackle is and investment.
Shadow's- use the natural shadows as often as possible, this keeps light off you and help's disguise movement.  Stopp and glass in the shadow of a tree.
Movement- Slow and Deliberate.  This is no rushing game.  you are not walking.  Take three careful planned steps as quiet as possible and look.  Don't be afraind to crawl if needed and use the same tecnique.  Want to master movemment watch a house cat stalk a mouse.
Plan- Where alot of the above come together.  Your not strolling through.  Plan your area to stalk, when you see game.  Plan how your going to get into range and what your going to use (I am going to crawl over to that log, glass over it, then move over to that blowdown).
Flexible- Remember it is a animal and not target.  It will move on it's own, browse, bathroom.  so, be flexible on what the animal does.
PATIENCE- This is by far the one thing that spoils a hunt.  When you are going to stalk, there is no clock or time (legal hunting time still exist).  there is no hurry no rushing.  When you see that animal, you move when you can.  We all know that they "stare" at you for longtime. When in the "red" zone, move only when game allow, it may take and hour (haven't you sat in a stand for hours waiting on a animal).  Don't let ambitious override your gut.  You worked hard to get here don't ruin it.  Enjoy the HUNT, every step and take your time with nature.
I hope this helps, these are some of the things I learned, most the hard way.  Stalking is rewarding not only for the freezer but the soul.  It is by no means easy, but has and can be done.  It is another tool in the toolbox.  During the primetime of hunting. I will leave my stand and go to another area, and stalk through it.  Play the wind, relax and most of all have fun, why you do it isn't it?

[ron w]

I think the only difference it spot and stalk and still hunting is in spot and stalk you have already seen the deer. Then you adjust to the stalk. In still hunting your stalking hoping to see a deer and then trying to finish the job. Spot and stalk lends it's self to more open terrain and more glassing.......I love doing both. Best or at least the most fun way to hunt, although not the most productive at times.

[joe skipp]

Stalking a whitetail buck in light rain or when the woods are quiet...success only once. Never stalk a bedded buck here in the NE when the leaves are crunchy.

Move slow, half step at a time. When you feel those small twigs under your feet, hidden by leaves, ease around them. On my only successful stalk, I moved in cross wind and kept a few trees between us. Plan on shooting 40 yds, any closer
here in the hardwoods and your likely to be seen.

I found it easier to sneak in on deer in the praries of Wyoming than here. It's fun...but frustrating. Good luck........

[Hopewell Tom]

Good tips, Toddster.
The hunt can never be rushed. The deer don't have to get to the mall before it closes. GOOD binocs are a MUST.
I'm going to pay more attention to the shadows. I like ending my 3 or 4 steps by a tree/bush, if possible.

[centaur]

I have managed it a few times, but have been busted waaay more than have been successful. It sure is fun, whether busted or not.

It is hard to go too slow; use trees, brushpiles, rocks, etc to conceal your approach. Any noise, wind shifts at the wrong time, excess movement, and you will see a waving white flag. I know I have lots of times.

[woodworker]

just to add my two cents, prior to dropping my training wheels that was the only way I had taken deer with the bow and has been since.  Problem is; just by virtue of the habitat they live in they hard to spot from a ways off, we are usually already sneak hunting when we happen upon them, then it is sneak time.  I have the patience of a 3 year old with ADHD when it comes to sitting a stand or blind so I just hunt that way.  I have blown it far more than I have connected and there is little more frustrating or exciting than covering 200 yards on your hands and knees to the one tree large enough to give you cover, start your draw and find out he had a paranoid friend bedded in the grass, can't wait to do it again !  You just have to know that it is a long shot but a fun one.

[psychmonky]

Guys this is awesome stuff. Im soaking it up like a sponge! Keep it coming!

[RC]

Every Deer I`ve killed while walking and stalking was plain lucky and being in the right place at the right time. I go "stalking" for pigs because they are tough but not impossible. Our Southern Deer have 9 eyes a couple dozen ears and 6 holes in their nose.RC

[mcgroundstalker]

This stalking and still hunting is a lot of fun but hard work... If you know the deer trails in your hunting area and stick to them you will have action! Work through the heavy cover... Pray for a light rain... Have a pair of pruners with you always... Move slooooooow... And get busted dozens of times but, who cares? It's all in fun.

... mike ...

[Rob W.]

I've snuck up on a few in high wind and wet leaves. Around here if thats was your only tactic both you and the deer would get a quick education.