Placing the Perfect Stand

Does it ever seem like some stands produce big bucks year after year while others simply exist as a seat for watching the sun rise?  That's because some stands are in better locations than others.  Hunting is all about being in the right spot at the right time, and where you place your stand can make all the difference.  In these next few posts I would like to introduce a few things that need to be considered when placing a stand.

The first thing to look for when placing a stand is a hot deer trail.  Placing your stand just off a hot deer trail will increase the likeliness of having a good buck walk by.  Deer are creatures of habit and tend to travel the same paths when moving from bedding areas to feeding sources.  These trails, however, will not provide constant action if that's what you were hoping.  They merely increase your chances of seeing more deer.  In any case, keep this in mind when placing your stand before next season. 

Stay tuned for more factors to consider when placing stands!

Hunting Strategies - Part 3

Now that we have discussed stand hunting and organized deer drives, I want to introduce you to the concept of "spot and stalk" hunting.  The spot and stalk technique takes a considerable amount of stealthiness and patience.  I try to use this technique when walking through a timber or some other kind of wooded area.  Here is how to use the spot and stalk technique....  Start by slowly (and I mean slowly) making your way through the area you are hunting.  Take 3-4 steps, then pause, looking for any signs of movement.  Repeat this step throughout the entire area.  GO SLOW! You don't want to spook the deer.  Another form of spot and stalk is the literal meaning of the term.  Spot a deer on your property, then slowly work your way into shooting range.  This technique can be a very useful tool in your bag of hunting tricks.

P.S. I hope everyone had a successful firearm season!

Hunting Strategies - Part 2

Last week I went over the tried and true method of hunting whitetails from an elevated stand.  Today I want to introduce a new strategy, which in some cases is under used.  The idea of organized deer drives has been around for quite some time, but it is not as widely used as the stand method.  To effectively implement an organized deer drive there needs to be walkers (who walk through fields, timber, and draws) and blockers (who sit in designated areas, looking to get a shot on the deer driven out of the path of the walkers).  One tip when planning an organized deer drive is to always know where the other members of your party are at.  Although it is a very useful technique it requires great attention to safety.  Speaking from experience, I can honestly say that this technique has been very useful for me.  In some respects you are essentially creating your own luck because you are going to the deer, rather than waiting on them to come to you.  If you haven't had any luck so far this season I would recommend using this strategy during the last two days of the season!

Freak Friday!!

You're not going to believe this....

Wow.  That pretty much sums up my thoughts about this monster.  With twenty countable points this buck scored an astonishing 238 and 5/8 inches Boone and Crockett.  This deer is what Freak Friday is all about.  When I first saw this picture my jaw hit the ground.  I was purely amazed.  This is why we hunt, to someday have a shot at the buck of a lifetime.

Hunting Strategies - Part 1

I hope all you hunters out there had as much luck and success as my brother and I had on opening morning.  If not, I hope you stay patient because your turn will come.  Right now I would like to take the opportunity to go over one of the more useful hunting strategies that I have used over the years, stand hunting.  Nearly every hunter has probably hunted out of a stand at one point or another during his/her lifetime, but if you are one that hasn't you need to try.  Stand hunting, in my opinion, is the easiest strategy to employ.  You just set up your stand in a prime location (we'll go over that a little later) and you're ready to go.  This strategy forces the hunter to be patient because in most cases there is not continuous deer movement.  When sitting in the stand you need to constantly be checking for movement.  The easiest way to spot a deer is to see them when they are moving.  In the mornings I usually get into my stand about 30 minutes before first light and sit until about 9 o'clock.  I am training myself, however, to sit longer because I hear all the big bucks move from 10 AM to 2PM (they must know all the hunters are eating lunch around that time).  Also, I recommend using a safety harness.  Better safe than sorry, right?  Lastly, it is good to bring some kind of pad to sit on because your backside is sure to fall asleep.  Like I said earlier, if you haven't ever hunted out of a tree stand I suggest you try it.  It might change your luck!

Freak Fri...MONDAY!

Since I didn't post a freak last Friday I thought I would share with you the successes by brother and I had on opening weekend 2010.  Hope you enjoy the pics!

Intro to Firearm Season and Different Hunting Strategies

Boy I can’t wait until Saturday!!  At the end of this week the firearm portion of deer season opens, and you can bet that I will be out in a tree.  Hunters all across the state wait in great anticipation for the opening day of deer season, hoping they will get lucky and score a big buck.  Among those hunters are a few different strategies on how to hunt bucks, or deer in general.  Over the next few days I am going to introduce you to some methods that I personally have used and some that I have only read about.  My hope is that you will be able to take these methods, put them into practice, and score a nice buck at some time during the ten day season.  Until then, make sure to get your rifles cleaned and sighted in because it is nearly that time!

Picture taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25403537@N08/4198993586/

This buck is an absolute monster!  I would love to shoot a buck like this someday.  Check out the mass that he carries all the way through his antlers.  Once you are done gawking at that, check out this dude's brow tines!  Wow.  What an impressive deer.  To top it off, he is definitely old enough shoot.  I think he would look real good above my fireplace.

Safety Tips for Upcoming Firearm Season

Last time I touched on a few safety procedures that hunter should note when preparing for the upcoming firearm season.  Today I would like to focus on another basic concept, wearing the proper clothing.  It is imperative that hunters remember to wear their hunter orange vests and hats during the firearm season, that way they will be noticed by other hunters.  It is also required by the Department of Conservation, and failure to wear hunter orange can result in tickets and fines.  If you ask me, wearing the orange and being noticed is better than being mistaken for a deer!!  Just remember, be smart and cooperate with all state regulations.  Better safe than sorry I always say.

A Few notes on the Upcoming Firearm Season

It’s that time of year again, when the leaves start to fall, temperatures dip to below freezing, and several thousand deer hunters prepare to take to the woods.  Hopefully they have done their research and located a nice buck in their area.  With firearm season only thirteen days away there is not much time left to properly scout your hunting property.  For the next few days I would like to take some time to go over a few safety procedures that all hunters should follow when preparing for the upcoming firearm season. 

First, remember to practice good gun safety.  We all have a general idea of what gun safety is, but do not always practice it.  For instance, keep the barrel of the gun pointed in a safe direction, and never keep a bullet in the chamber unless you are ready to fire.  Never try to cross a fence with a loaded gun, even if it is on safety.  Accidents can and do happen, but you can take the steps to avoid them.  Lastly, remember to pick your shots carefully.  Never shoot up a hill, or toward another hunter’s stand.  Also be sure to avoid shooting in the direction of any livestock, be it horses, cows, pigs, or sheep. 

On that note make sure your guns are clean and sighted in.  Happy hunting!!