How to hunt deer

Hunting deer can be a lot of fun, but it’s also quite challenging. While there are several different types of animals that hunters pursue in North America — such as wild boar, bear, turkey, quail and pheasant — only one animal has more land area than does the whitetailed buck. The whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) inhabits every state except Hawaii, Alaska and Maine. And with an estimated population exceeding 5 million head throughout its range, this species represents perhaps the largest game mammal on Earth. Let’s learn how to hunt deer

There are many reasons why people choose to go after this particular animal. Deer have long been hunted for their meat and hides; they’re popular targets among sportsmen who enjoy fishing or camping while pursuing them. But even if you don’t want to harvest any venison yourself, you’ll still get plenty of enjoyment from watching these graceful creatures run across your path during the fall season. In fact, they can often be seen within city limits at certain times of year. They may not seem particularly threatening looking when standing upright, but once they take off running full tilt, they become larger-than-life figures. You might see hundreds of them along roadsides and beside fields. It’s hard to believe something so large could disappear without leaving behind some kind of evidence. That’s exactly how wildlife managers work toward managing populations of deer through controlled hunts each year. If left alone, their numbers would continue to increase until natural predators like wolves were no longer able to keep up.

But just because you live in a metropolitan setting doesn’t mean you won’t ever encounter an elk, moose or blacktail fawn. All three are native to Canada and inhabit areas where human development isn’t concentrated. Elk and moose are typically found in open forests, grasslands and sagebrush scrubland. Blacktails prefer wooded areas near water features, including rivers, streams and lakes. These animals will sometimes travel miles to reach food sources, making them very difficult to trap or shoot using traditional methods. Hunters must use special techniques and equipment to bring down prey. For example, bowhunters usually employ arrows fitted with broadheads and designed specifically to penetrate flesh and tissue instead of merely piercing them, allowing the hunter extra time to track his target. Bowhunts require a great deal of patience and skill. A well-placed shot should kill quickly, but wounding an antlerless male requires careful aim and placement since he often carries weapons made of bone.

Hunting is a serious business

And then there are those who opt to wait patiently for their quarry to make mistakes by chance rather than actively seeking them out. Professional sharpshooters call this method “chasing” because they follow the animal closely enough to catch it unaware so they can perform clean kills. This technique allows shooters to place shots directly between the eyes and ears and ensure humane deaths. Most hunters consider this form of hunting to be the highest level because it involves extensive training, experience and preparation. Many states ban shooting from moving vehicles, which means hunters must remain stationary at least 300 yards away from their prey in order to properly apply chase theory.

In addition to being pursued by humans, deer face numerous other threats. Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, weasels, owls, cougars, bald eagles, hawks and snakes all pose serious problems for the herd. And if you think coyotes are bad news, imagine trying to capture and control a group of 200 mule deer! Even though the majority of hunting accidents involve firearms, injuries sustained from vehicle crashes are common too. Therefore, it’s essential for everyone planning to participate in a hunting expedition to understand basic safety measures beforehand. Don’t forget about weather conditions either. Some regions receive heavy rainstorms twice per week during August through October, whereas others experience little precipitation over the same period. Cold temperatures can cause frostbite within minutes under ideal conditions, so dress appropriately.

Now let’s talk gear. We’ve already mentioned guns, bows and rifles, but what else do hunters actually carry? First and foremost, camouflage clothing is vital. Camouflage patterns vary depending upon region and habitat type, but generally speaking green works best against foliage and brown colors stand out better against bare ground. Hunting blinds offer additional concealment since they blend naturally into surrounding terrain. Blinds come complete with roofs, walls, floors and doors, and feature windows cut out to allow light to pass through. Since deer rely heavily on vision to locate food sources, blinds give hunters valuable cover. Additionally, camouflaged clothes help protect hunters from detection by enemy forces. Finally, warm clothing helps regulate body temperature and avoid hypothermia.

Next comes hunting accessories. There are dozens of items available to assist hunters in tracking, spotting and capturing their prey. Binoculars come in varying sizes and prices, but they provide superior magnification compared to naked eye observation. Night vision devices are useful tools for seeing clearly at night, although they aren’t always practical due to weight constraints. Scent blockers mask smells produced by dead prey, reducing discomfort and fatigue. Spinning and decoy heads imitate bucks’ mating calls and attract females, respectively, helping hunters lure potential mates closer. Magnets attach to horns or antlers to mark locations of wounded animals in thick brush.

Finally, there’s transportation. Whether you plan on driving, riding horseback or hiking, it pays to pack wisely. Checklist items include spare ammunition, binoculars, flashlights, knives, bandages, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, snacks and beverages. Also remember that alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time, so stay sober unless you absolutely need to drink fluids. When packing, wear loose fitting layers. Clothing should fit comfortably yet leave room for quick movement. Layers reduce heat build-up, keeping you cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold climates. Pack sturdy shoes and hats, especially for winter excursions. Choose lightweight jackets, pants and blankets for summertime activities. Keep bottles of sunscreen close at hand, and reapply frequently. Be sure to check air pressure and battery life in your car’s tire gauge prior to departure. After packing everything, fill empty space inside pockets with crumpled newspapers to prevent rattling.
So now you know the basics. Read on for tips and strategies specific to various forms of hunting.

When choosing appropriate camouflage, consider the amount of sunlight reaching the location where you plan to hunt. Generally, lighter hues work better outdoors, while darker shades tend to work better indoors. Blue-green tones are good choices for both environments. Green tints fare well against vegetation, whereas red-brown ones blend nicely with bark, leaves and twigs. Brown works well against rock structures and sandy soil backgrounds. Gray looks similar to earth tone colors, but tends to reflect more light. White stands out sharply against bright objects and surfaces. Darker colors tend to fade easily, so try wearing multiple coats if possible.

Bow Hunting Tips – How to hunt deer properly with a bow

Bow hunting offers unique challenges for beginners because they lack projectile power. Instead, archers send projectiles called arrows straight ahead at high speeds. To compensate for low velocities and short ranges, archers must brace themselves firmly whenever they release their arms. Bows also produce vibrations that affect accuracy, so steady movements are crucial. As such, archery practice sessions consist mainly of repetitive motions if you want to learn how to hunt deer well.

Arrow shafts used in bow hunting weigh approximately 40 ounces (1 kilogram), so users shouldn’t expect much speed. Despite lower velocity rates, however, bows possess tremendous killing force thanks to their length — most models measure around 60 inches (152 centimeters). Longbows stretch 72 feet (22 meters) further than compound bows, giving them greater draw lengths. Compound bows can generate more powerful shots at shorter distances, but they cost more money upfront. Both designs improve stability by creating leverage and increasing arm strength. Still, archers must maintain balance and hold their limbs correctly. Archery courses teach students how to position their bodies and align their sights accordingly to learn how to hunt deer.

As noted previously, bowhunters often employ arrows equipped with sharpened wooden blades known as broadheads. Broadheads contain barbs that grip soft tissues during penetration and create tearing action. Arrows also sport small metal spikes embedded into tip ends to puncture lungs and livers. Sharp points inflict deep wounds that bleed profusely, resulting in slower death processes. Archers can add feathers to arrow shafts for greater flight distance, but doing so reduces overall performance. Feathers act as drag weights and slow down the rate at which arrows fly. However, adding feathers increases the risk of losing arrows altogether.

For years, hunters relied exclusively upon conventional gunpowder cartridges to launch projectiles. Today, modern technology relies upon new materials and manufacturing methods to manufacture specialized bullets capable of traveling faster and farther than anything previous generations experienced. Bullets launched from muzzleloaders travel at less than 100 mph (161 kph), providing ample stopping power against medium sized targets. Modern bullets achieve maximum energy levels via explosive charges contained within barrels. Although bullet efficiency varies greatly based on factors like caliber size, barrel design and powder selection, most modern rounds deliver accurate results. Rifles fire bullets propelled from grooves that move powders outwards. Projectiles fired from shotguns resemble smaller versions of rifle bullets. Shotgun shells house pellets filled with lead balls surrounded by shell casing and plastic wadding.