Responsible hunting, game management and wildlife conservation are important aspects of any wild game hunting, but many find the challenge of deer hunting to be the most challenging. Here are some ideas and deer hunting tips to make your deer hunting trip a success.

What makes a good deer hunting location?

Deer are their most active in the morning and evening hours, and often rest during the middle of day and night. This makes sense since many predators are less active at that time, giving them a chance to rest.

Find that perfect place to hunt is the first challenge. Keeping 3 factors in mind can broaden your chances. A deer has three items to focus on eating, sleeping, and mating, simple right?

Look for hunting areas that contain a combination of clover, rye, or other grasses and then look to see if you can find evidence of deer trails near there. This can help you to determine how often the deer use that area.

Try and avoid areas with thick dense brush or that are overly swampy. These areas will mostly be used for deer to sleep in. These areas are also where deer are most alert to predators as movement is more easily detected. These areas are also harder to hunt for deer because of the lack of visibility.

An alternative would be to wait on the outskirts of these areas near trails where deer can be exiting and entering. Next, let’s look at mating season. This is a time when deer hunters hava an advantage because a deer’s senses are dulled when it is ready to mate. Timing is everything and you can exploit this when looking for that trophy deer.

What is that smell?

One of a deer’s main senses is its sense of smell and that is one thing that can give you away. When hunting for deer you want to be sure to be free of perfume, scented shampoo, skin cream, soaps, or deodorants and other non-natural scents. There are a variety of soaps and lotions available for this very purpose.

Wildlife killer makes many great products to help in this department and can be found readily at many sporting good stores that carry deer hunting supplies. It’s also important to be upwind from the deer.

Deer are also great at seeing and hearing so they startle at slight movements, rustling in the brush or sounds. If you see a deer heading towards you remain still and quiet. If a deer feels it’s in danger it will run off immediately.

Getting the right gear

From camo to guns, the right hunting equipment makes all the difference. Let’s start with camouflage first. Camo is important as it breaks up the human silhouette so you look more natural like a tree or bush. Good camouflage needs to help break up your silhouette in open areas to. Camo with more trees and brush will work well in these areas.

Next let’s look at deer hunting rifles. There are many varieties of hunting rifles nowadays which makes it hard to know which is the best beginners at deer hunting. There are three main types of rifles including the semi-automatic, pump action, and bolt action.

Automatics and pump actions have an advantage in that you can reload and shoot quicker. The bolt action rifle has an advantage in that they are usually more accurate. When deer hunting you want every advantage you can get so pick your hunting rifle wisely.

Another method to us would be deer hunting with a bow. Crossbows and compound bows are often used for deer hunting but take much more skill since you usually have to be closer. It’s helpful to get your bow by practicing often, otherwise your skills will get rusty and your chances of bagging a deer goes down quite a bit.

The main tip is to use gear that you know works well for you and that you have confidence in.

A word on hunting safety

Seasoned hunters know the importance of gun safety and tree stand safety usually but these tips should always be reviews to make sure you are safe at all times when hunting.

Never shoot blindly into brush if you hear sound or detect movement, be sure that your target is making the noise or movement and that there isn’t someone behind them that could be accidentally shot.

Don’t climb up or down a tree or over a fence with a loaded gun. Hand your gun to a friend and have them hand it back when you are up or over. Many hunting accidents happen due to not following this simple tip.

Hunt with a friend. If you can’t then make sure someone knows where you are and when you’ll be back.

When in a tree stand, always wear a harness.

Orange – This is a must, you don’t want your hunting trip to end with a trip to the hospital because someone else thought you looked like a deer. Don’t worry deer are color blind and won’t know the difference.

Check to make sure the deer is dead before moving it. Nothing hurts lick a well placed kick from a deer.

Never take any medications that may impair your judgement and stay sober when you are hunting.

Make sure to test out any your hunting equipment before you go just to be make sure everything works. Also make sure you know how to properly use your hunting equipment.