Who's got some tips for a first year trad hunter?

[Medina1]

Anyone have any good tips for a first time trad hunter? This will be my first year hunting with a trad bow and I was wondering if you guys had any tips? I plan on hunting from the ground a lot more this year so do you guys have any tips for that too? Thanks!

Caleb

[Bud B.]

Stand alot. Walk two or three steps and stand alot.

Keep quiet and hunt the wind in your face.

Use binos alot too.

If you hunt from a chair/stump, be very still and bring your patience.

[Fletcher]

Cover behind you is as important as cover in front.  Let them get past you and draw when they are looking away or their head is down.  Try to anticipate where the shot will be and get your bow pointed there.

[Sean B]

When you decide to shoot, focus on a spot, burn a whole with your eyes, or pick a single hair if you can to aim at.  Its easy to shoot at the whole animal the first time that you release an arrow.

Just have fun!  good luck!

[ChuckC]

I have a tip.  Don't get too wrapped up in success.  Success is a simple as being able to get out and smell the roses, as seeing a deer, as sneaking close to one,  as getting to draw (and miss),  and yes, as getting one.  

Seeing a skwerl acting goofy, seeing a martin, or other more secretive critter,  getting to sit in the mid day sun and eat a sandwich and watch the birds.  There is a lot to it, some of which is even killing a critter.
ChuckC

[Kip]

I talk to myself silently as I am preparing for the shot and repeat to myself.Pick a spot and follow through.Has worked for me.Kip

[Widow's Son]

Get them close. Twenty yards and under.

[Cory Mattson]

don't confuse "scouting" and "hunting" - we scout at least 3 days for every day we stand or sit (hunt) - sometimes more - and we never sit or stand unless we expect to see game and get a shot and we never hunt if the wind is wrong.

[Big Ed]

Patience and have fun!!!

[ron w]

What all above have said.....treat everyday out in the field as a classroom experience........try to learn from each trip out. Be safe and have fun!!!

[kadbow]

Two simple things, patience and if that pays off pick a spot.

[JamesKerr]

Patience, don't try to make a shot oppurtunity happen wait for that easy no brainer shot.

[FerretWYO]

From the ground hunt slow and mind the wind.

[Frenchymanny]

Originally posted by Big Ed:
Patience and have fun!!!

Big Ed is right: Fun!!!!

And read Witchery of archery, that's the spirit

F-Manny

[wooddamon1]

Find where some trails intersect and make a natural blind downwind, preferably in a funnel or pinch point. Do this in a few spots and every year go back and spruce up the blinds and sit them again. Having a few different spots helps with not over-hunting an area and changes the scenery to boot...

[Terry Lightle]

Sharp broadheads-patience-pick a spot-keep cover behind you-use the wind to your advantage and enjoy

[jrbows]

Learn something from every blown shot opportunity, if the game population is good in your area there will probably be a few almost got a shot experiences, be critical of your mistakes and don't beat yourself up, slow way down, look way more, and longer, try not to stop when you're in the wide open,if you get a shot (and this was a big one for me) concentrate and be confident, I was still trying to sneak when taking the shot and wasn't coming to full draw and didn't have good form over-all, if you've made it to full draw without getting busted and the animal doesn't have eyes on you, you've gotten away with it and it all comes down to the shot, so practice and know your personal limits,GOOD LUCK.

[Sam McMichael]

Lots of good advice has been given here that should be beneficial to you. Some high points: Scout your area well, so you will have confidence that you will get shot opportunities.  Be sure your equipment is well tuned and your broadheads are sharp. Shoot only within your effective range and always pick your spot. Hunt the wind and be mindful of noise and movement. Slow is good.Be patient, it takes time to reach your potential, so don't forget to enjoy the journey. All these reminders are very basic things that you have heard before, but expertise comes from being able to properly execute basic functions consistently.Pay attention to all that goes on around you. We often learn more from our mistakes than we do our successes. Good luck and have fun.

[buckeye_hunter]

If sitting in one place, clear the leaves from around your feet. Back cover is more important then front cover, but both are good! Get a ghillie, even if it is a cheap one off eb&y and get it good and dirty. Don't put the ghillie on until you are at the spot you will be hunting.

[Tracks]

1) The first step is to sense the animal before it senses you.
2) Always play the wind. Period.
3) Know when to hold'em. If the wind is fickle, the cover is poor, etc, don't blow your quarry out of the area by blundering a futile stalk. Just sit and watch until your hand improves or the game is over.
4) Define "success" as learning more about your quarry and yourself each time you are in the woods.
5) Don't get too worked up about gear and spending lots of $$$ for whatever bow or wool shirt people are raving about, just keep it simple and get out into the woods as much as you can. Time in the woods is way more important than gear. Work less, hunt more (do as I say, not as I do).