Todd's Tips-
Shooting-practice with broadheads
Pratcie often and realistic as possible
When shot present's itself, let it happen, don't over think it.
Keep broadhead's scary sharp.
Hunting- First and foremost, take in the whole experiance, enjoy the whole thing, don't get wrapped up just into harvesting a deer.
Don't hunt tree's, hunt game! If you cann't find a good tree for stand, ground hunt.
Don't use a Tree stand without a Harness, not good to rescue a fallen buddy, been there twice.
Play the wind
If you find great sign, but seen no game, move up or down a hundred yards.
Wensel stand trick- Set up a Scout stand, then move 50 yards closer next day, then after your pattern animal, move in for the harvest.
CArry a turkey call, works to calm deer down.
Stalking on dry leaves, have a few in your hand, if deer look's in your direction, let a few drop down, will help calm the animal.
Stalking-After you stopped and looked around, stop yourself and look a few more minutes harder, how many times as you thought no game only to have a deer run off that was within 20 yards?
Pruning- Don't cut down the forest, just a few lanes, when you do, wear gloves and take the brush away 50 yards, I even put mud on the pruned limbs, do this ahead of time.
Toilet paper- use for primary purpose the marking trail.
Compass- not only for navigation, but when shoot a animal and the last spot seen take a azmith with it. When get down follow blood, if loose it go back to tree and follow azmith.
Always carry a judo point, stumping, take shot at spot where hit animal.
Safety- Already stated harness.
Carry a compass and know how to use it.
Get a QUALITY mag/ferrous bar, for emergency fire and carry it
Take a few cotton ball's, rub vasiline into them, place them into tube or duct tape, takes spark better than anything and will burn long enough to get a fire started (4-6min.)
ALWAYS carry a quality sharp knife.
Go to Google earth or another topo place, print off several paper's. Mark your stand and how to get to it with time to be back, leave one at home and TELL someone, also I leave one in my windshield of truck with location of stand (not only if something happens, but another hunter may be able to see where I am and not ruin hunt).
Wool will save your life.
Keep a canteen of water in vehicle and blanket.
MONEY- Times are tough but when and where you can afford you will come out ahead, some item's are well worth the price. Not only for enjoyment but may well put your life on them. At the top of the list is: Compass, Wool, safety harness, treestand, binoculars. When you can buy products with lifetime warranty, will pay back in spades.
There are some things never, ever compromise. Arrow's, treestand and clothing!