EP61 Why New Hunters Should Use Crossbows

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.

 

EP60 Buck Land vs. Doe Land

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.

 

EP59 Deer Food Plots 101

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.

EP57 Buck Habits vs Doe Habits

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.

EP56 Defining Deer Movement Patterns

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.

EP55 Creating Mock Scrapes For Deer Hunting

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.

EP54 Deer Season Trail Camera Strategy 101

Show Notes:

When it comes to deer hunting, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of hard work. In this episode I talk about simple and inexpensive trail camera strategies that can completely transform the way you hunt by saving you time and improving your odds of success.

Take Aways:

  • Trail cameras help you do four things.
    1. Know if deer are the area you are considering hunting. You can’t hunt what isn’t there.
    2. How many deer are in the area. This lets you know your odds of success.
    3. What kind of deer are in the area. Whether it’s bucks or does, big or small, you need to know. 
    4. WHEN deer are in the area, so you only hunt when deer are likely to be around.
  • Simple and inexpensive cameras are an ok place to start if you can find the perfect place to put and aim them.
  • Your camera MUST be able to date and time stamp each photo and you MUST set this up to get the full benefit.
  • Put your trail camera above a deer‘s eye level to reduce the odds they will see it.
  • Avoid a deer’s most likely line of sight.
  • Put cameras back from a trail so you don’t need to walk the trail to check them.
  • Here is mid range camera that I’ve had good success with. It can give you a sense of the features to look for. I got mine on sale, the sticker price is a little high.
  • Setup a camera in August and check it every 2-3 weeks. Stop checking at least 2 weeks before you plan to hunt.

EP21 The Best Time To Hunt Deer & The Worst Time To Scout

Show Notes:

Whether you can take two weeks off for deer season or you can only get out on two Saturday’s, time management is important. Maximizing your opportunities and minimizing fatigue and down time are important. On today’s episode I address the subject on the best times to hunt, a subject that is also directly connected with the best and worst times to scout.

Take Aways:

  • Hunting in the early morning is often the most fruitful. Try to get to your spot an hour before legal shooting hours begin to minimize the impact you entering the woods has on the deer.
  • Hunting at the end of the day is arguably the second most fruitful time. However, depending on the property and the deer patterns, this time could be the best for a specific area and herd.
  • The middle of the day usually has the least movement but deer do still move during the day, never give up and think it’s a waste.
  • Scouting during or close to the hunting season is best done in the middle of the day because you have the lowest chance of spooking deer and ruining the hunting area you are scouting.
  • The longer you can hunt the better your chances, but if you can only do a half day, you still can have great chances. Just try to either get there early, or stay there late.
  • Hunting the first half of the day often makes tracking and field dressing easier because you have plenty of daylight and you aren’t as worn out. This doesn’t help your chances any, but it is something to consider if you have to choose which time to hunt and you are unsure of the deer patterns in the area.

EP20 Four Critical Deer Hunting Tactics

Show Notes:

Deer hunting is easy to do but can take a lifetime to master. The first thing you need to do is get into the woods and get some experience. The second thing is to begin working on these four tips every time you go into the woods. On this episode we will be focusing on critical deer hunting tactics, things you can start using tomorrow and can continue to refine every season.

Take Aways:

  • Always Be Ready. If it’s legal hunting ours and you are in a safe hunting area, you should always be ready to take a shot a moment’s notice. Keep your gun handy, and practice taking a quick offhand shot while hiking. You best opportunity of the day could come while walking to your spot. Don’t miss it.
  • The Wind Is Your Friend. Wind creates noise and movement which can help cover you when you need to move or make some extra sound. If you can wait for wind before doing something, you can lessen he chances of being detected. 
  • You Cannot Be Too Stealthy. The old adage is there is nothing nosier than a hunter trying to be quiet. Stealth cannot be over stated, both while moving and sitting. Camouflage is only a small component, eliminating movement and sound are arguably much more important. 
  • Pretend You Are Always Being Watched. Chances are, it’s true. If you hunt as if every moment you are trying to make an animal that has spotted you forget you are there, then you are well on your way to developing a very useful and effective skill. 

EP19.5 How To Hunt Deer In The Rain

Show Notes:

Hunting in the rain is not something to be avoided, it can be a great time to hunt. But you need to adjust your plans if there is significant rain in the forecast in order to be effective and comfortable.  In this episode I talk about a recent cold rainy hunt that was successful, and how you can plan to hunt effectively in the rain.

Take Aways:

  • People often ask the questions “Are deer active in the rain? Do they still move around?” The answer to both is yes, very much. In all but torrential rain, deer continue to move, eat, and socialize. The rain does not seem to bother them at all. In fact because there is less light and its easier to move without making noise, deer may be more active on rainy days, throughout the day, and they may be less on guard.
  • The biggest benefit to hunting in the rain is very fewer other hunters will be out. You can have a lot more privacy and better chance at taking a deer. Normally I see half a dozen hunters on opening day where I plan to hunt, sometimes I can see them from my tree stand. This year it rained a lot and I did not see a single other hunter. I did see a lot of deer and I took one home.
  • If you are hunting in the rain, especially the cold rain, you must stay dry. This can be accomplished with a rain suit, umbrella, ground blind, or similar approach.  Be sure to wear extra layers so you can stay warm if you get wet from the rain or sweat.
  • Do not hunt with an umbrella in hand. You can use an umbrella to make it through downpours, but you cannot hunt while you are holding one. Umbrellas are easy to see and amplify your movement. And you cannot hold one and fire a rifle or a bow at the same time. You risk giving yourself away or dropping something.
  • They make umbrellas that attach to trees which can work while tree hunting but do not use those for ground hunting, deer will more easily spot them while on the ground.
  • A ground blind may be the best way to hunt in significant rain, it is basically a camo tent.  Consider setting one up before the season starts so you have a comfortable way to hunt if the weather is bad.
  • No matter how you choose to hunt, always have a backup plan for rain. Know what you will do if a lot of rain is in the forecast so you can make use of this great hunting opportunity.

 

Subscribe Today!