New Hunters, here’s some things you really don’t want to do. Scene: Fresh overnight snow means, most of the tracks you’ll see, are practically new. Maybe made 3 – 4 AM. You find new sets of tracks walking along. If you look off to the side of the tracks, you’ll probably find a single larger set of tracks that’s a buck. You’ll want to follow this set. Now one thing you don’t want is to concentrate too much on the tracks. I’ve done it and goofed, as have a lot of hunters. I know the temptation is great to walk faster following. Don’t. Here’s the do, follow the tracks easily and rather slowly. Think of the deer. He’s either going to feed, or coming from feeding. No hurry. So you don’t.
On one of my hunts, I came upon just the situation I described. I follow these tracks for over 300 yards through the woods, across 200 foot of the eastern edge of a corn field and into the field heading west. was using archery at the time, and had to get close, and knowing the corn was a losing situation, I wanted to see if I could put him up, if for no other reason but to see what it was. The do part, I went slowly and so was he. Tracks looked very fresh as the snow was fluffy in the tracks yet.
I kept going down the corn rows, making more noise than cheer leaders on the 50-yard line. That’s a don’t. Try walking in dried corn with a crossbow. No brainer, but I was no newbie at hunting either. His tracks really started to spread and clearing 6-8 feet leaps, then within about 20 yards more, he started walking again, but going north. Another don’t, don’t try to match his pace. Now try walking sideways through the corn eight inches apart without making any noise. No way.
After about six rows I was within thirty feet when I heard the sounds of Bye-Bye. He meant to get me off his track. I did finally follow him to the edge of the corn, but into a trail way of deer tracks. I forgot my own advice. I kept looking at the ground for his tracks, and not into the woods where he may have been laughing at me and watching to see which way I’d go and he had a ticket for the opposite speedway direction. There we parted company, but I did get to within 50 feet of him before he gave up on me. Check & Mate. I was overly warm so I returned to the woods to rest in my 17 ft tree stand. At that time I was not hunting, just in the woods for a walk with a crossbow.
Do: Walk like you’re still-hunting, paying attention to the area in front and about 45 degrees on each side. You’ll be able to see the tracks some distance ahead, watch the terrain and guess where he’s heading. Don’t do what I did earlier in this tale. Also, always think like the deer. There’s various noises in the woods, limbs falling, trees cracking with the cold weather, wind snapping branches and they fall. These are noises that don’t scare the deer, so if you step on a downed limb or branch, stop for a moment, survey the area and wait for a minute or two. The deer will hear it too, and become alert.
They will stop and scan their back trail and all they can see, which is much further than you can see. Remember, a moving object is more visible than a stationary one. If they see the movement, they’ll melt away and you’ll not see them. Here’s where your still-hunting comes in. Walk a few paces, stop, look, then easily move further and stop. That deer if he hears you may stand still for five minutes watching. Haste is their downfall and could be fatal to them. To you it’s only a lost deer. Remember the corn field? I was making 100 times the noise the deer was, but he wasn’t spooked. Just moving on. Finally he says: Enough already and is in full takeoff gear. I would never have seen him in the corn, but would have had a chance when I came to the edge as he would have been close by watching for me. He had a three inch foot print, but could still have been a six point and been illegal. Next episode will be another goof on what NOT TO DO. Then on pre-season scouting. Do’s and Don’ts.
By: Harry McLemore
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