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Well….Archery Deer Hunting season is here once again (depending where you live of course). Hopefully we have all been shooting regularly or have at least been to the range once (making sure your pins are still sighted in).  By now we should also have scouted out where we will be setting up and what time of day we will be going out (morning or afternoon or both). For new hunters, it is always helpful to Google sunrise times for your area.  You don’t want to get out in the field too early, but you don’t worry to show up a minute too late either. If you spook something out of the area you are hunting, most likely you will not see them again that day.

If you have never gone out opening day, it will be a great opportunity to gauge deer patterns (pre-rut) etc. I always seem to see much more movement before gun season opens (although you still may hear gunshots throughout the day. Some just don’t care what season it is………Very very annoying). This is most likely because they have been not been hunted (for the most part) since the end of last season and they have re-established their routes with little concern for human contact.

You can expect the woods to still be very thick and the trees to be full. It is usually much harder to spot deer very far out, however It will not take long over the next month or so for the leaves to drop and open your view up.

Best of luck to all hunters. Be safe

Technorati Tags: archery, deer, hunting, opening, season

There are many sins a beginner hunter will commit when learning to archery deer hunt. The biggest and probably the most important one is……ready for this?….. Scent giveaways (an epiphany I know).

Deer have an extremely fantastic sense of smell.  We have all heard this at one time or another but probably were not told how important this one simple rule plays into it.  Most hunters think they have covered their basis by doing the basics (scent cover spray, etc). There are several vital things (over and above scent spray) you need to take into consideration before and during your hunt.

Although you may never be able to completely eliminate your scent, you can mask it fairly well by going over and above. Here are some extra things you can do:

1) Body soap and shampoos. Use a scent free soap and or shampoo if you plan on showering before going into the field. You wouldn’t believe how many hunters bathe with “axe” and then try to mask it with masking spray. Doesn’t work.

2) Scent free detergents. One of the best thing you can do to prepare for your hunt is washing all of your camo in scent free detergent. At the very least, use scent-free dryer sheets when drying your gear before going archery deer hunting.

3) Foods. Certain foods you eat can actually seep through your pores and be detected by deer, especially bucks who have even a better sense of smell. Typically this could include things such as garlic, peppers, etc.  Avoiding these foods well before hand (a few days) can  really help reduce the chance of anything seeping out. Also some hunters like to bring food with them into the stand. Use common sense and don’t bring anything that could be detected such as meats and cheese, etc. If your hunting partner can smell it (and wants some), the deer will most certainly pick up on the scent also.

4) Touch. Be very careful of the things you are touching leading up to getting set up into your stand. If you plan on cutting and moving brush then you will want to make sure they are not blowing in the direction the deer would be coming from. This also applies to which direction you walk in from. Always try to walk in down wind from where you plan on hunting. After going through all the trouble of masking your scent, the last thing you need is a deer catching your scent from where you entered the woods.

Technorati Tags: archery deer hunting, bow hunting deer, bow hunting tips

Technorati Tags: archery deer hunting, archery hunt, bow hunting deer, bowhunting deer, bowhunting tips, bowhunting whitetail, deer hunting equipment, deer hunting supplies

Hunting with a bow is a ton of fun and at the same time it is also extremely challenging. Although a little luck doesn’t hurt, the more you learn about archery deer hunting, the better your odds will become for bagging  a deer sooner than later.

Being unprepared the 1^st time you go out is a big mistake most new hunters will make (I did the same when I 1^st started).  After talking with several seasoned and beginner hunters, I put together a list of the top 5 most common mistakes newbies make when archery deer hunting so you can avoid them and have a more successful 1^st hunt. 

5) Tree Stand Climbing- Believe it or not, it may not be common sense how to use a tree climber if you have never hunted before. I spoke with one hunter who actually climbed by sitting down facing away from the tree. It took about 5 times longer than usual to climb the tree. I don’t read instructions often either so I really can’t laugh (well maybe a little). The proper way to use a climber is to sit on the outside bar of the half containing the seat and face the tree. Putting your feet through the bottom loops on the lower half, you now use your upper body strength to pull your top half up and grab the tree a few feet up at a time. This is followed by pulling the bottom half connected to your feet  and using your lower body. Repeat until at the height you are wanting.  Very simple after doing a few times.

4) Proper height- There is no set height you must adhere to when placing your climber. However, a few feet off the ground will not cut it. Even with camouflage deer can spot movement very easily. The further up you are, the more likely you will not be seen when reaching for your bow, etc.  If you are afraid of heights, you can be confident in your safety harness (which you should always wear).

3) Using your safety harness- Most climbing stands come with a safety harness which should always be used. If you happen to fall, it is attached to the tree and will prevent you from falling all the way to the ground. I know a local guy who fell out of his stand from 12 feet up (pretty low) and broke his neck. It doesn’t have to be a very far fall to get seriously hurt. Wear your harness.

2) Camouflage- Most beginners either over do it or don’t wear any at all. Although deer do not see color like we do, they can spot patterns and shapes fairly easily. Wearing clothing that mimics their natural surroundings is a must. If they do happen to spot your movement, they are less likely to pay attention if you blend in rather than stand out.

1) Entering the woods- No hunter likes to wait hours and hours before seeing any deer. However, walking to your stand too late is definitely a mistake beginners make. In my opinion, hunters should be in their stands at least an hour before sunrise and about two hours before sunset. ..especially when archery deer hunting! This will decrease your chances of spooking deer off in the area when going to your stand.

Although you may not get a deer your 1^st time around (and most do not), taking some advice from those who have gone before you may go along way.  The more you go, the more techniques you will acquire. Happy archery deer hunting J

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