Started thinking a day or so ago after reading a thread about how many may only know new fangled ways. Some may not have thought of others. So....here it goes and feel free to add on boys.
For starters bowhunting is a close range sport, idk I kinda like it that way and so do others but since we’re gonna be close or relatively close we need to know where the deer are and where they’re going in order to “hunt the wind”. You should realize hunting the wind means walking in, coming out and blowing toward a place they are going. Sometimes on certain days you just can’t hunt a spot. Doing so would not only screw up today but give em a heads up we’re trying to take em.
How can this be determined?? Years ago Barry Wensel in Bowhunting Oct Whitetails states a quick way to find deer is see what least. If security cover is in short supply you know where they’re going, if food is in short supply you can assume they’ll be there. Also want to add in real dry or drought stricken areas water could be another draw. Don’t overlook it. May be one of the only green places around, near a pond or brook.
So we know where the deer are traveling between or do we? Who cares what they’re doing now. It’s the fall that matters.
Plan your hunt, gonna give you some for instances that may or may not relate to your area.
In my area there’s plenty of oaks, in the late summer mid day I’d visit my known oak stands and a bunch of em cause of the winds dif days.
I bring binoculars and look up, I know white oaks drop first and are preferred, I’d key in on them early season. Once gone start in the black oaks. You’ll know which trees are full of nuts and what species from your scouting.
Corn in my area is somewhat useless cause the deer stay inside but once they cut it’s fantastic a few days. Keep looking for recent harvest activity on the farms you hunt.
Bean, it can be one of the best draws when green, it’s about useless when yellow and ok when brown. Keep tabs on it.
Pressure makes them change as well so figure a plan to your season and somewhat follow the deer instead of using some God forbidden item to make the deer find you.
If you’d like to see deer, mid summer sit on a lease by a hayfield, behind a bale and long range scout. It’ll show inventory of deer.
Another thing figure your access. I see many guys park in a field, walk across it and hunt come morn. Not the best option to let them know you’re coming and actually have a high probality of pushing them deeper and away from you.
Also want to say this is mainly for whitetail. I know nothing about mule deer and it’s mainly for those who don’t know ways besides the new ones.
Good luck this year. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads. Hope it helped someone
Topic: Preparing for season (Read 977 times)
