Favorite hunting method for Whitetail

[Steelhead]

I prefer to still hunt and or enjoy it the most over other methods.I have tried all methods and the other methods are basically much more successful.I think anyone knows that and that's what most hunters are going to do.No problem.I have rotted in tree stands alot.Its the number 1 way to kill a deer no question.I still enjoy a good treestand setup.

I do enjoy the challenge of ground hunting as well and find it very challenging to close the deal from a hide on the ground.Thier is a lot of tension and angst when you are in that space trying to reach the end game.

I find myself not so motivated to make a kill these days and am doing things a bit different to get more joy from my pursuits in the woods.Stillhunting,stalking and ground hunting get me in my soul a bit more and I find it very exhilarating.A still hunt often leads to a stalk.Or you become a ground hunter as a deer may approach your location while stillhunting.I have killed almost all my animals using these methods over the last 10 years and its really very enjoyable,rewarding and inspirational.Stillhunting is my favorite way to go about a day of hunting.I see so  much and feel so much.It really immerses you in a total experience.Whether you make a kill or not.

These methods are kinda like relics from a bygone era.They do take skill and woodsmanship.

These days many hunters use more modern methods that are very successful and some methods are particularly aimed at killing big bucks from prime stand locations in a perfect setup at the perfect times.Thats very often what it takes to be consistently successful at taking more mature deer and that's not easy even with all the modern day knowledge/information about mature bucks and how to go about killing one

But these other methods do work and you will find that you enjoy your time when using these other styles and eventually you make a kill and its going to be vary memorable.

[jkm97]

Treestands and groundblinds

[Bob B.]

I love deer hunting, and love being in the timber.  For me, 99% of my hunting is sneaking in the timber playing the wind against trails in between feeding and bending areas.  I use a Waldrop pack seat, a leafy coat or a Guillie suit and wait in ambush.  My shots seem to range from 14 to 25 yards, occasionally closer, rarely farther.

It is very challenging, but is the most fun and rewarding for me.  I love ground pounding.

Bob.

[dbd870]

Agree with use multiple methods, but I believe all my bow (not traditional so far) kills have been from a climber. Gun kills - about everything. My one shot with the recurve was from a climber; top limb on the bow failed!

[frank bullitt]

Still hunting along the edges, water-ways of corn. Points also!

The rut, also still hunting creek bottoms, narrow travel, funnels, fence rows.

Not always succesful, or tag filling, but OH the action can be a rush!

[huronhunter]

I mostly hunt from ladder stands now ( since my knee replcement ) but I do hunt on the ground if the situation calls for it . Last year I hunted on the ground using a gillie suit . No luck with the gillie yet but it's seems challenging !

[stykshooter]

Tree stands

[woodchucker]

Folks take this "Deer Hunting" thing, too seriously.....
I usually just grab my bow, and go for a walk. If I see a good spot, or I'm feeling "lucky"... I sit for a spell. If I come to a spot where I know I've seen or shot deer before, I'll slow down and sneak around a bit... Also, if I see a squirrel that just needs to be shot... I shoot it!!!

[NY Yankee]

Fred Bear said you can learn more about deer hunting in one week with a bow than you can in a year with a gun.

[Mint]

Tree stand mostly but I do stalk walking into my afternoon stand. The woods I hunt are covered with crunchy leaves and it is impossible to be quiet.

One time while I was in my stand a friend walked to me late morning and I saw a bunch of deer fleeing his approach and he wasn't able to see any of them.

My favorite method is to find a gentle sloping hill with soft green grass that is bug free with a level spot to put my tea and a convenient hump to put my butt pad to use for a pillow when I need my nap.  I am always ready to shoot, because deer come and watch me sleep, I need to be ready when I wake up, in case one of them is a deer that I want to shoot.

[dirtguy]

I usually end up just trying to scare them to death, but so far, that hasn't put any meat on the table..... [biglaugh]
(Sorry. I couldn't resist.)

SO funny!

May favorite way is still hunting...I love the rush I get when I suddenly realize that once again I've been within shooting range of a deer and not seen it until it goes wooshing off into the woods.

Seriously - I LOVE my lone wolf climber.  It is light, quiet and allows me to set up darn near anywhere.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I try to be as versatile as possible.  I will say I haven't had the best track record but I tend to hunt heavily pressured deer.  

I'm not afraid to move and try new places.  Usually I have a couple opportunities every year which I tend to goof up.

But adapting to deer and other hunters where I hunt is key.  Its not good enough to pattern deer ahead of time or hunt sign because usually everyone else in my area is also and those deer become nocturnal fast.

I find that once I can pattern the hunters, I can get a pretty good idea what the deer are doing.

Usually that means mid week and often mid days are best.

[bucknut]

I'm a tree stand guy and early in the season I run and gun with a climber hitting the acorns. The where I hunt is the most critical, which I noticed no one mentioned. I hunt the heaviest cover I can find that has food or access to food. I hunt a lot of ditches and subtle funnels too. This took several years to learn but is has been very rewarding. Remember even a slight 3' depression can make a difference on travel influence.

Hope this helps, John

[stagetek]

Tree stands for me.

[Pointer]

I love natural binds...this season though I may get up in a ladder stand for the first time in a lot of years...just for a change in perspective

[Friend]

Strategic positioning from 12 to 15 yard from the ground....go well beyond the extra mile to be able to possibly compete with the average tree stand hunters...if a deer even looks at my blind, I haven't done enough...my stick bow only lease stand hunters enjoy twice the shot opportunities........prime time scouting. for myself, is primarily January thru March with major consideration of anticipated available food sources....multiple setups to accommodate food sources changes and the rut... as well as referencing logs maintained from the years before.

Have seen 8 bucks and have passed on four totally separate buck opportunities, thus far, out of three hunts this season alone...one quite respectable 2 1/2 yr old 8 pt at 8 yards...passed on at least 70 separate shot opportunities last season.

Note: Am limited to ground hunting. The thrill of close encounters is most fulfilling.

Have managed to routinely setup effectively on smaller 2 1/2 year olds and on occasion a 3 1/2 yr old buck....wishing to prolong the full experience...quite far from mastering 3 1/2 yr old and older close encounter experiences.

No expert here....just roll the dice quite often, especially when cooler temperatures arrive.

[ron w]

Favorite method......any way I can!!