First-time deer hunt, starts next month. Tips?

[bsoper]

My first archery hunt begins on the 20th next month. I am going with a couple other guys who hunt with wheelies, I will be the only traditional shooter.

What are some tips/tricks/advice/help that you can offer for a first timer?

Thanks!

[Wannabe1]

Monitor the wind, go slow, know your limitations and have lots of fun! It's about the journey.            :D

[KevO]

On top of what wannabe1 said, I suggest you shoot the 1st legal animal you get a shot at.  Size does NOT matter!

[Blaino]

have a lot of fun first and formost.  next, when your trying to hold it all together because it's all coming together pick a spot.

[Shedrock]

Read Dwight Schuh's book, "Hunting Open Country Mule Deer"

Great read! It will teach you all you need to know about spot and stalk mule deer hunting. I learned a bunch from it, and have been taking nice mule deer almost every year since reading it almost 20 years ago.

Nothing funner than stalking mulies! I have stalked and shot 2 in their beds at a mere 6 steps. That gets the heart pounding so hard, you think your gonna have a heart-attack!

[Rob W.]

If it stays like it is here water will be your best friend.

[Shedrock]

Hunting mulies over water can be real iffy. They can go 3 days without water, sometimes getting enough just from vegatation, and the dew on the grass. Most will hit waterholes at night.

[Hashiba]

While not disputing they can definately get a lot of water from their food and dew, I've seen deer having a nice drink quite a few times.

[USN_Sam1385]

If you kill something during your first hunt, or even your first YEAR of archery hunting; I will be highly surprised.

With that said, do not expect to kill something your first year. It is not like gun hunting at all and EVERYTHING has to line up just right for the kill to happen. You can see 100 animals over 4 weeks and not have the proper set up for a good, clean, kill.

However, while bow hunting is much less
'productive' in producing material results when compared to rifle hunting; it pays off in dividends in regards to the overall experience.

Drawing down on an animal with a bow and not getting a shot is still 100x more exciting than killing an animal with a rifle.

Enjoy, and check out this 'simple tip' thread:

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=105544;p=11

get around and in front of your buddies and let them push the deer towards you, they will be looking over there backs and not so much what is in front of them, and dont forget the wind. good luck, and hunt hard and dont give up.  
       OH!  PICK-A-SPOT!

[Shawn Leonard]

The one and most important is hunt with the wind in your favor! The second is ignore USN_Sam1385, you should aspire to kill something every time out, first or thousandth!! If you don't than you will have a hard time killing anything. A positive attitude is everything. Most of all have fun and hunt hard and often, you owe it to yourself to work hard to achieve your goal. Shawn

[Shedrock]

I love hunting them during the heat of the day when the sun is at it's highest point, and the shade is more minimal. I will glass, and glass, and glass all the shady spots around boulders and small bunches or even single trees looking for that buck.

I spotted this one at around 1:30 in the afternoon, made the stalk, and had him packed back to camp right at dark.

[lpcjon2]

Thin, about you and hydrate,make sure you know where the buddys are and most of all where you are.have fun and relax.Oh and dont forget your bow and arrows. Let the fun begin.Tim

[smilinicon]

Never, ever let pressure to get your first kill cloud your judgement when taking a shot. It is when people are most excited that accidents happen.


Good luck and don't ignore any of the people that took time to answer your question, regardless of what Mr PMA says.

[m midd]

I second that!! Dont rush your shot.. i went my first year with nothing..   When the time comes everything will be perfect... Good luck

[twitchstick]

Good luck on your hunt it should be good I been seeing lots of bucks this year. Just remember it's all about the journey and not about the destination.

[bsoper]

Thanks for the tips guys! Especially the link to the other thread with all the useful info there.

[lablover]

Good luck, when you get that first Opportunity and your heart is beating a mile a min enjoy you'll never be more alive. Take lots of pictures for the future and so you can share the trip with us of course.

[smokin joe]

As the old Indian said, "Walk little, see lot."

Pay attention to the little things while you are out there: Watch a spider build a web. Watch a fox hunt mice. Enjoy the whole experience of being a part of nature and of being a predator. That way, every hunt is productive whether you take a shot or not.

And, get one of those little puff bottles with powder in it and use it to check the wind often. That will tip the odds in your favor. It is amazing how much the wind moves before a person can feel it.