Bowhunting Tips
Scouting for Deer
BowHunting for serious deer involves some hardcore prep time. Few are lucky enough to step into the bush for the first time and nail a big buck. Scouting involves walking through your hunting grounds early in the spring and no later than the middle of summer. You don't want to make the bucks wary and nervous right before the hunting season starts. If your bowhunting in familiar territory you will know where the bucks are making their rubs and be able to set up close by. If not, look for the telltale signs like rubs and scrapes, and don't be too concerned with the tracks. In early spring the tracks are likely from does and fawns and big bucks are not likely to be in the same area at that time of years. Deer in general are creatures of habit, coming to the same locations year after year. Bucks will actually rub on the same tree as the year before.
As the rut begins, bucks alter their patterns to find does. If you plan to hunt the rut, move into an area that holds numerous female deer. The bucks will come. Another good idea is to make a map of the area, noting where you spot rubs, trails and other signs of deer activity. After a few years you will have pretty clear idea of where the deer go and where you are likely to find them next time. Keep in mind that scouting is never done. Every trip you make into the woods should give you more information about the deer. This is the deer's home. You should try to know it as well as he does.
Deer Calling
Using grunt calls to bring in bucks during bowhunting season is a tried and true method that puts deer at ease and triggers their natural instincts. Some grunts are merely contact calls. Other grunts may be a challenge, like when two dominant bucks meet or can be made by deer who are in a breeding mood. Grunting is the most effective method of calling deer into your archery shooting range, but it is not the only audible tool the bowhunter has at his disposal. It should be noted that there are other various animal calls available as well.
Antler rattling has been going on since the Indians and there are cave painting depicting this method of attracting deer. Antlers are not the only rattling devices that have been used to imitate a buck fight. Other materials such as plastic and fiberglass have been made into antler rattles. Wooden rods in bags are used and now small plastic rattle boxes are now available. The thing to remember about rattling is timing. Rattle during the pre-rut when bucks are fighting for dominance and use your grunt calls during the rut, after the majority of fighting is over.
Scent
The only way you're going to trick deer into coming into range is to fool their sense of smell. Their nose is their best survival tool, beat that and your improving your odds immensely. Positioning is still the most critical factor, even with all the natural and manufactured scents you can buy. The strongest human smell won't spook a buck if the wind prevents it from smelling you. There are two main scents, cover or masking scents and attractants. Cover scents are designed to mask the smell of human presence and can be found in all kinds of forms. Aside from the typical spray bottle, deer scent is embedded in a lot of hunting specific clothing such as camo pants, hunting boots, camo jackets and camo shirts.
Attracting scents are designed to attract deer by using scents that effect a deers natural curiosity to food or sex. Deer attractants should be used sparingly. Covering yourself in scent will allow deer to pinpoint your location like a GPS and locate you from far away. You might as well start yelling and waving your arms because as soon as the deer realize where you are they are going to take off in the other direction, even if your in a tree stand. Use a few drops are create a mock scape and drag a LIGHTLY scented rag around the area.
With a scent blocker, you don't have to be quite so cautious. Cover scents come in a variety of natural varieties from red fox urine to cedar tress. Keep in mind where you are hunting though. Fox scent will be more of an alarm if there are no foxes in the area. The is another scent that is based on the smell of dirt and natural ground and it can be used in most hunting areas effectively. With all these scents available it's easy to think your leaving no trace and get lazy. The wind can still give you away even if your not being careful. In short, scents can be a valuable tool but can't make up for mistakes when hunting.
A friend of mine, who has been involved with archery and bow hunting for 40 years, relies on an unusual scent that he "applies"on a tree or bush before he climbs into his stand. He uses his own urine. Sound strange? His theory is that when the Buck comes across an unfamiliar smell it will stop and check it out, much like any other animal, leaving him enough time to get off a perfect shot with his bow. I can't say I've tried this but he swears by it and he's got the trophy bucks to prove it. I should note that this would only be effective ( in my opinion ) if the deer are not used to human contact. My friend uses this "method" on hunting land leases and on his own land that has no virtually no hunting pressure.
Deer Stand Placement
Setting up a hunting stand is something every bowhunter knows how to do, but can always do better. Placement and wind direction are the most important factors when choosing a location. The biggest mistake an inexperienced bow hunter can make is placing the tree stand too close to the trail. Does usually walk the obvious trails but the wary buck will sometimes walk a few yards downwind of the main path. Big bucks are big because they are more cautious and that's how they became big bucks. Putting your stand several yards back from the main trail might give you a shot at one these "old timers" that walk the path less traveled. Keeping a clear shot at the main path is still important but try to have the best of both worlds whenever possible. Camo netting can be used as extra camouflage when necessary and if there aren't any trees in the area, hunting blinds can be useful if properly camouflaged and blend well with the surrounding environment. More tree stand tips...
Scrape hunting effectiveness can vary a lot depending on a number of factors. Sometimes putting your stand close to a scape will produce good results and an easier shot. More often, a mature buck will come from downwind. He'll then examine the area with his keen sense of smell from a distance before coming into the area. To increase you odds place your stand at least 30 yards downwind of the scrape. The best tip for tree stand placement is to find the area or trail that deer use, and take a close look at the natural surroundings and wind conditions and use them to your advantage.
Hunting Bows
Finding the right bow to bowhunt with is the most important aspect of bow hunting. Sounds obvious but a lot of hunters start using a bow based on something they have read or on a friends recommendation. One point that should be foremost in your mind is buy a bow that's comfortable for you. Don't let public opinion, your buddy's advice or slick advertising affect your decision. You should look for hunting bows that deliver high speed and superior power. Look for a bow that will shoot your arrows at more than 240 feet per second. I recommend limb-forward positioning and an adjustable grip. Compound bows are probably a good choice for the new bowhunter though a lot of old time hunters have adopted the newer technology available. Compound bows are made for ease of use and are more forgiving when learning how to shoot properly. Here are more Bow Buying Tips...
Recurve bows and traditional bows have a steeper learning curve and take more dedication to achieve a decent shot. It's also important to get a lightweight, well-balanced bow. There are a mind boggling amount of high quality products to choose from but you don't have to break the bank to get a quality bow. Go into your local outdoor shop try out a few different styles and narrow down your choices, but don't buy anything quite yet. Have a look around online and see whats available, bow auctions are a good starting point as a lot of bowhunters get caught up in the "latest and greatest" thing so you might just find last years model for a lot less.
Hunting Attitude
Keeping a solid respect for the animal your hunting will go a long way create a satisfying hunting experience. Bowhunting offers a more natural approach to hunting, the silence, the preparation, the perseverance required, basically the whole experience. Hunting ethics take on a whole new meaning when you blend into the natural environment and you start to appreciate the tradition of archery, practiced for thousands of years by every culture. It truly is the purest form of hunting you will ever experience.
