Show Notes:

Scent control is very important for deer hunting, but it can also be very simple and inexpensive. On this episode I cover five fundamental keys for scent control that are easy for new hunters and important for all hunters to master.

Take Aways:

  • There are a lot of products out there from magic soaps to cover scents to special washing machines and air tight clothing, some of them are helpful but they are no where near as important as these five keys.
  • It’s functionally impossible to eliminate all human and synthetic scent, trying to do so is exhausting. You need to minimize your scent and then be very conscious of where and how you leave scent.
  • The wind is a huge factor, but these five factors are critical no matter what the wind is doing.

Show Notes:

If you only have one vacation day that you can use for deer hunting this year, how can you tell what is the best possible day to take it? On today’s episode I dig right into the largest weather factors that impact deer movement so you can identify the days that give you the highest chance of success.

Take Aways:

  • There are a lot of myths and partial truths when it comes to deer hunting. Don’t believe anything you hear without kicking the tires on it.
  • Any day in woods is a good day, but when you have very few days you can be in the woods, you want them to count as much as possible.
  • You can take a trophy deer on any day during any weather. But your chances can change drastically based on the conditions.
  • If you don’t enjoy hunting in certain weather then don’t. It’s not worth the time, energy, and resources to hunt on a day that makes you miserable
  • Listen to this episode to learn the top two weather factors that impact deer movement and how you can leverage them.

Show Notes:

The best treestand for a new hunter depends on several variables. You might have a strong preference, but knowing which situations call for which treestands will help you improve odds for success and have more fun in the woods. On today’s episode I talk about the three primary types of treestands and when/where they are the best options.

Take Aways:

  • Ladder Stands: These get their name from being integrated with their ladder into one piece. They are the most difficult to assemble and setup, but they are also the sturdiest, most permanent and can afford the most room for people and cargo.
  • Climbing Stands: These stands are basically climbing contraptions that let you inch your way up a tree and then sit using friction to hold you. They are the fastest to put up and the most flexible, but they can be the most difficult to use.
  • Hang-On Stands: These lightweight barebones stands use a simple strap and friction to hang onto a tree. They are light, portable, and are distraction free. They are also free of amenities.
  • Each of these stands has a scenario when they are the best option, and the worst option. Listen to the episode to find out more.

 

Show Notes:

There are a lot of elements that are the same between rifle and bow hunting but there are a few key differences that you must take into account to be successful with archery. On this episode I talk about the two biggest aspects that are critical for archery, and when I say archery I give specifics for both regular bows and crossbows.

Take Aways:

  • Concealment
    • For new archery hunters to successful, it is vital that you have concealment, either in a tree or a hunting blind.
    • Hunting from the ground is extremely difficult with a bow and not recommended as an effective strategy.
    • Get into a tree, nothing beats altitude when it comes to deer hunting. 
    • A hunting blind is a good plan B if you have no good trees or aren’t ready to get off the ground.
  • Range
    • The average crossbow has an effective range of about 50 yards.
    • Regular bows can be accurately shot by the average marksman to about 30 yards.
    • In either event, you want to setup 15-20 yards from where you plan for the deer to be.  
    • Never plan to take shots at your maximum range, even if you can make the shot at the range. The real world ads variables you do not experience at the range and you want some margin.
    • Be careful shooting at targets that are too close because of the steep downward angles needed.

Show Notes:

Archery season for deer can be as long as four months in some areas, while rifle season may be as short as two weeks. The number one thing deer hunters can do to spend more time in the woods is pick up a bow. On today’s episode I talk about why a crossbow is the best option for new hunters to extend their season.

Take Aways:

  • Crossbows are an easier entry point into the sport because they require less physical ability, skill, and practice than a regular bow.
  • Crossbows use similar skills to rifles meaning many hunters already have some familiarity with the technique.
  • Crossbows are easier to aim than regular bows, they have more range, and more power.
  • Crossbows can be less expensive than regular bows and rifles. I’ve used this modestly priced crossbow and it has everything a new hunter needs.
  • Crossbows create a level playing field for those with less than ideal physical size, strength, and stamina.
  • Most importantly, a crossbow is the easiest way to get you into the woods longer so you can enjoy hunting the days that have ideal weather, conditions, and placement in your busy schedule.

 

Show Notes:

Contrary to popular belief, does and bucks only coexist for brief periods of time. Most of their lives are spent in different areas. On this episode I talk about understanding the habits of both so you can hunt each more effectively.

Take Aways:

  • Does tend to live in the same areas year round.
  • Bucks have a home range that is more isolated, and for good reason.
  • Bucks leave their home range, in part or whole, during the rut.
  • Even when does and bucks come together for the rut, they both will behave differently and have different movement patterns.
  • If you want to understand the life cycle of a buck then you need to understand and annual cycle of their antlers.
  • If you see bucks on your land throughout the year, they will likely be absent during the rut.
  • And if you see no bucks during the year, it is likely they will come around during the rut, but not in the exact same places as does.

 

Show Notes:

When it comes to food plots, there are two primary schools of thought for deer hunters. But neither philosophy is helpful for new hunters. On today’s episode I talk about a cheap, easy, small, and excellent food plot strategy for new deer hunters.

Take Aways:

  • Every time you see a deer move they are likely either going to food or from food. It is a huge part of their lives.
  • You don’t need to worry about getting the deer enough food to keep them alive, God takes care of that.
  • New hunters don’t need to spend a chunk of money every year planting acres of food for deer, you have other priorities.
  • New hunters only need to do enough to impact deer movement habits.
  • With 1/8 of acre and $10 you can impact deer patterns, and even help impact the size and quality of the heard in your area.
  • A small one time effort can impact your hunting prospects for years to come.

Show Notes:

Some of the worst misinformation out there is that does and bucks are the same, live the same, and are in the same places.  On today’s episode I talk about how does live, how bucks live, and how you need to hunt them very differently.

Take Aways:

  • Does are social, patient, and forgiving creatures. They can coexist with lots of deer, animals, people, and hunting pressure.
  • Mature bucks are reclusive, wary, and keep a long list of transgressions. They do not like to be around many deer and have very little tolerance for people or anything man made.
  • Mature bucks and does don’t spend a lot of time together outside of the rut, and too many does will even push mature bucks away.
  • Even if they eat in the same fields, does and bucks will bed in different places, browse in different places, and even walk different trails.
  • If mature bucks are in your area, hunt them during early archery before they leave their regular areas in search of mating.
  • If you have no bucks on your trail cams at all, that may be perfect once gun season comes around because they may move into your area.
  • Even when bucks are on the run in search of does, they still want more cover and more privacy, so you may need to hunt them different even during the rut.

Show Notes:

Anyone can be get lucky, but to have consistent success in the whitetail woods you need strategy, experience, reconnaissance, and some understanding of how deer live. One today’s episode I focus on how you can define deer movement in order to multiply your chances for success, while spending little to no money.

Take Aways:

  • Deer are creatures of habit, and to be consistently successful you need to both learn their habits and how to influence those habits.
  • The main ways to impact deer movement are by cutting trails, building mock scraps, digging water holes, planting food plots, and adding cover.
    • Cutting trails can help by creating a path of least resistance in areas that are thick and hard to move through.
    • Mock scrapes can give deer a focal point to come to and stop at along a trail or in a movement area.
    • Water holes help in the same way a mock scrap when used on dry parcels or on high ground.
    • Food plots, especially small ones like 1/2 an acre to 1/8 of an acre, can give deer a place to browse on their way to more substantial food supplies. I recommend a perennial crop, something cheap and low maintenance, like clover.
    • Adding cover can create bedding areas and give deer more peace of mind for traveling through or eating in an area. One of the worst habitats is open woods in all directions, deer need places to hide.
  • Even if you are unable to add any of these habitat improvements, the more you know about them, the better you can read naturally occurring ones and use them to your advantage.

Show Notes:

A mock scrape is a powerful tool for defining deer movement that any hunter of any experience level can use to boost their chances of success. In today’s episode I talk about how you can use mock scrapes to improve your scouting and hunting setup.

Take Aways:

  • Mock scrapes should be placed in areas that deer already move through, or have a reason to move through.
  • Less is more when it comes to scrapes, the fewer you have the more value each has because you do not want to split the attention each gets.
  • The best time to setup a scrape is a few months before the season starts or in the post season.
  • Deer often begin to start using a new mock scrape within a few days or weeks.
  • A scrape can last for years with little to no maintenance. 
  • Scrapes are great places to put a trail camera.
  • All you need is a three step ladder, some black rope, a few zip ties, and a rake.