Hunting Fun

Deer hunting is a favorite pastime for many people, and a great way to get out in nature. Every state has designated deer hunting seasons, and most have more than one in order to help keep the deer population in check. If you are interested in deer hunting, the first thing you will need to consider is what type of deer hunting you plan on doing. Remember that some states do not permit certain weapons for deer hunting, while others have designated seasons for different weapons. Check with your local hunting commission to find out what the laws for your area are. Here are some of the different ways to hunt deer, and what equipment is required.

Bow Hunting
A traditional form of deer hunting is with a bow and arrow. Today there are some very technical, highly advanced bows that give the hunter serious power and control. Look for compound bows and recurve bows for your purchase. Compound bows are a modern invention that utilizes a levering system of cables and pulleys to bend the limbs. The benefit of this type of bow is that the archer has assistance in holding the string at the drawn point for a longer period, allowing them more time to aim and shoot. A recurve bow has tips that curve away from the archer when the bow is unstrung. It looks more like a traditional bow except that the string on a recurve touches parts of the bow when it is strung. The benefits of using this type of bow are that you get more stored energy and better control with your shot. Crossbows are another form of deer hunting that is popular with archers. Keep in mind that most states have a separate crossbow season.

Guns
Guns are the most popular weapon for hunting deer, due to their power, range and relative ease of use. Common guns used for hunting include rifles, shotguns and pistols. Most states and counties have a limit on the minimum caliber or gauge to be used, so be sure to look into your county’s restrictions before you purchase your firearm. Whichever type of gun you decide is best for you, you will first need to take a course to learn how to fire the gun in a safe and effective way. This will also give you an idea of what features are important to you when you start shopping around for your gun.

Other Equipment
Deer hunting is an intense sport that requires a lot of specific equipment. In addition to your weapon, you’ll need proper clothes and boots designed to keep you comfortable and camouflaged for hours of hunting. Consider what you will need after the hunt too – you’ll want the right equipment to get your deer home.

By: Jeff Matura

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Every deer hunter wishes he or she could display a trophy buck at some time during their hunting career, some of us are not happy unless we bag at least one monster every season. If you are going to join the ranks of the elite hunters, then you need to know the deer hunting tips the elite hunters know. The true masters know the following advanced deer hunting tips I am about to share with you.

1. Know Your Firearm Well – Know well the ballistics of the caliber and cartridge of the deer hunting rifle you have chosen to hunt with. You must be very familiar with the ballistic tables to properly adjust for the distance you are shooting. Know the fall on long shots and the rise on shorter shots. Become an expert on judging distances; 50 yards, 100 to 150 yards, 150 to 200 yards. Walk off the probable sighting areas ahead of time and measure landmarks so if you are making a 400 yard shot you know it is 400 yards; and you know the drop your bullet will realize at that distance and be able to adjust.

2. Become Familiar With Your Area Ahead of Time – This means doing more than just choosing where you want to sit after you leave the jeep, you should thoroughly get to know the area you are hunting. All of the most successful hunting seasons start months before opening day. Ask permission to go to the lease you are going to hunt on and scout all the areas well ahead of time. You should scout all the available hunting sites and “hunt without a gun.” Act exactly like you are hunting but don’t bring a gun (maybe a camera) and determine which areas have the greatest amount of deer population and movement, which have the biggest bucks and which areas have the highest buck to doe ratios. I also recommend walking your hunting areas during the middle of the day. Note any signs of big bucks, and regarding signs of big bucks:

3. What Are The Signs of Big Bucks? – If you know what to look for you can determine the areas where the trophy deer live. (2) Scrapes: These are areas where bucks scratch the ground (usually accompanied with urination) to mark territory and attract does, typically below low hanging tree branches at the border of heavy brush during the rut. (1) Rubs: Rubs are areas on trees and heavy brush where the bucks rub velvet off their antlers in spring and summer, and mark their territory during mating season. Look for a rub line, a series of rubs, a half a dozen or more within about a seventy five to one hundred yard space. Rubs are normally found on the side of the tree that the buck is traveling from, so noting which sides of the trees have rub marks in a rub line will tell you their normal direction of movement. Notice also the size and locations of bedding areas. If an experienced hunter finds no signs of bucks it means little chances for success. These are the deer hunting tips that separate the elite from the average hunters.

The average deer hunter with average knowledge typically gets average results. Any hunter can bag a small buck once a year and occasionally get lucky, but bringing home that majestic trophy buck with any regularity takes commitment and knowledge.

By: Donald Borah

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In the State of Alabama there are great opportunities for the whitetail deer hunter to have a successful catch.

Alabama offers hunting property managed for big bucks. Each season the ratio of bucks to does is increasing in these managed areas.

In Alabama you may choose either bow hunting or gun hunting when hunting deer.

Whitetail deer is the specialty in most lodges and farms. Some preserves have around 5,000 acres of property which are populated with plenty of deer for your hunting. However, you will find that the deer are elusive so be prepared for the challenge and to show your hunting skill.

If you are a beginner you might be interested in some of the winter classes offered at some of the farms where they train you in deer hunting in the woods of Alabama.

If you are looking for a prize buck then you will want to at least investigate the deer farms in Alabama because they feed their deer more than just the natural vegetation, in order to assure bucks with well developed antlers and bucks of large size.

The farms will have areas allocated for the trophy bucks and other areas for bagging small bucks and does.

Some nice Hunting Farms in Alabama are:

Cooks Family Farms
Evergreen, Alabama
5,000 Acres of Managed Hunting Land with over 40 Food Plots

Tatum Creek
Marion Junction, Alabama
Trophy Bucks Southern Style

Most managed areas will let you choose between self-assessed hunting and guided hunts.

You will find that the lodges in these areas of Alabama are nicer that some of the upscale hotels in the area. The food will be superb and the camaraderie will be great, giving one an opportunity to learn hunting tips and techniques from the other hunters staying at the lodge.

Here are a few nice Deer Hunting Lodges in Alabama:

Water Valley Lodge
Gilbertown, Alabama
Choctaw County
Hunt Whitetail Deer, Hogs, Predators and Varmints in the same hunt.

Blackbelt Hunting Lodge
Sardis, Alabama
Offers one of the finest whitetail deer hunting preserves in SE

Ace Hunting Lodge
Brantly, Alabama
Over 3,000 acres of privately owned hunting land

Kudzu is another food source that deer will latch onto until the first frost kills it off. Kudzu is a vine-like plant that is a member of the legume family.

To avoid detection by the deer, hang your tree stand 20 to 25 feet up in a tree. Not only are you out of sight, your scent is less detectable. The use of ‘deer scents’ can help disguise your human scent long enough to give you a shot.

Scout out your hunting area early in the year to avoid detection by the deer during hunting season. Once a deer smells a human then they will change their patterns. Some archery hunters have found that the morning hours are the best times for success.

Alabama Deer Hunts are seasonal. Deer season starts in mid-October for bow hunting (archery) and does not begin for gun deer hunting until late November. The exact dates are determined each year, so be sure and check with the Alabama Department of Wildlife before planning your hunting trip. In south Alabama you will find that the weather during deer hunting season can be very dry and hot.

For many the sport of deer hunting in Alabama is a way of life. For years, whitetail deer hunters have made Alabama a favorite hunting ground because it yields one of the most productive deer hunts in the country.

By: Jackie Beem

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Hey, fellow hunters, thought I’d throw a few whitetail deer hunting tips your way before you head off to your deer stand in pursuit of big trophy bucks this deer season. Stand hunting can be very effective, but the more whitetail deer hunting tips you know, the more effective you’ll be. You want to make sure you have some warm clothes lined up for the approaching deer season. Besides purchasing or setting up a tree stand, getting your clothes together is something you can do even before the start of the season.

Just remember, it can get really cold on the stand. You need to dress so that when you are on the stand you remain comfortable and alert. I highly recommend dressing in layers and even overdressing for those long, motionless hours on the deer stand. When you are making your way to the deer stand, carry your coat or an extra sweater with you and don them once you’ve settling in and have cooled off. Getting your clothing right is a tricky balance, because if you work up a sweat during your hike in and your climb into the tree stand, you could suffer all day from wet socks or other wet garments. It can mean the difference between an enjoyable, successful day and a miserable day!

Let me back up a little and talk about where you should place your deer stand. Probably the best all round place to locate a deer stand is near thick cover. The big trophy bucks love to hide out in these areas. If you see a trail leading to this area you could set up near it, but keep an eye out in every direction, as the big trophy bucks are good at changing up the routes they take. Be sure to set up down wind and to practice scent control. An elevated tree stand can help to get your scent above the ground, but always practice safety when up in a tree stand. Above all, be sure that you have previously scouted this area and have located the tell tale signs indicating the presence of deer, if not big trophy bucks in the area. It’s pointless stand hunting an area if the deer are absent (though many hunters do it, anyway). And don’t fall in love with the same hunting location. If you wear out a certain hunting spot – the deer will be able to set their clocks on your comings and goings. Change up between a few other scouted out locations during the season and you’ll keep the deer guessing.

Stand hunting was always my favorite form of hunting – nothing beats sitting up in a tree stand on a cold, blustery day, enjoying nature and feeling the tree swaying back and forth. But it doesn’t hurt to put into play a few whitetail deer hunting tips so that you might bag one of those elusive big trophy bucks and have venison on the table in time for Thanksgiving.

By: Kirby Dean

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If you are intent on becoming a deer hunter, you should get good deer hunting tips. Seasoned hunters will always be able to offer you a great many tips, but if you are a beginner you may like to start with the four basic ones below.

Early Birds Get the Buck

First of all, it is crucial to remember that there are certain guidelines that hunters should follow at all times. Only specific periods in a year and in a day are permitted for deer hunting. Hunters are also expected to refrain from hunting at night and at dawn. These are common sense rules that have been enforced to ensure that no hunter ever comes to harm.

This does not mean though that you should show up only at the specified hunting time. You can always be at a hunting area early as long as you do not attempt to shoot any dear before the sun comes up. This is important for you to do because you can at least familiarize yourself with the area and position yourself at a favorable spot near your target.

Just Keep at It

Aside from showing up before sunrise, you should also keep hunting until the last rays of the sun are about to disappear. Late afternoons are a crucial time for both the deer and the deer hunters. Just like early morning, late afternoons are the time when hunters are likely to get good shots and many options to choose from.

The reason why late afternoons are a perfect time is that the deer have to adjust their eyesight to the changing light. You can take advantage of this natural state to hunt deer that may not easily notice you. A lot of deer also tend to gather at this time. This is the usual period when they really have to come out for food and water.

Smell Neutral

You are supposed to go hunting. You are not about to go on a date, bar or party. With this in mind, you should just avoid using cologne, soap, perfume, shaving cream and other strongly scented products. These scents will not attract deer. They will instead alert the deer that something does not smell right. You should instead simply have a neutral smell. This is a great way for you to be able to merge with the scents in your surroundings.

Keep Quiet

The top tip of all that even some beginners instinctively know is to keep quiet at all times. This does not just mean keeping your mouth shut. This also means that you have to ensure that your movements do not create even slight rustles. As you may have seen in the nature channel, deer are very sensitive. They are also quite careful. They can easily hear things and run away at the slightest sound.

The tips included in this article are only the basic ones, but, as deer hunting is probably the most popular form of hunting activity, there are more than enough open sources for you to learn more advanced deer hunting tips. You may even come up with your own tips to share with others after some practice.

By: Joanne Keith

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The correct deer hunting equipment in the UK and other countries is an essential part of the hunt itself. In today’s market there is a vast array of hunting equipment to purchase for deer and other game. So if you expect your hunting season to be successful, you have to start out with the right type of equipment.
Here are a few ideas on how you can have a successful deer hunting trip:

1. The right kind of gun can determine whether your trip is one you will be able to brag about or one that will be a complete disaster. When you go on a hunting trip, make absolutely sure to choose a gun which suits you adequately and will permit you to have a good shoot.

2. One valuable piece of deer hunting equipment is a knife. Find one which will maintain a sharp edge no matter what tasks you may encounter. A knife sheath for carrying will also be a great idea.

3. When deer season opens in the UK, the clothing you choose must suit the climate and hunting conditions in order to have a good hunting trip. Clothing such as a hunting jacket, a good shirt, denim jeans and a sweater are most often appropriate. They should be purchased in forest colours and patterns. Also, don’t forget a comfortable, yet durable, pair of hunting boots and a mask while you are shopping.

If you are in the US and are planning to go hunting, make sure to get the right hunting outfitter for a winning trip: not all of them are the same. Be certain to attain good accommodations. Find out if the food and lodgings are suitable to your preferences. In case your weapons malfunction, are there rifle stores or archery equipment shops in close proximity to where you are staying? Find out about the tree stands and bait sites too. In short, do your homework to ensure you have done everything important for a good hunting trip. After all, if you are paying for it, be sure to get the most from your money!

Whitetail hunting in the UK provides you with a huge selection of firearms. As it pertains to trophy whitetail deer hunting, today’s weapons offer a continuous and bountiful opportunity. Also there is no shortage of archery equipment to choose from either, though you can’t use these for live game, they always make an excellent tool for target practice and shooting. Good deer hunting equipment in the UK can be gratifying in the fulfilment of both your entertainment and psychological hunting needs.

By: Ronan Bill

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I know a lot has been written about eliminating human scent while deer hunting. It still amazes me that so many hunters neglect this aspect of hunting big game. Although human odor cannot be 100% eliminated, it can be minimized or reduced to the point that deer will not notice it or even react to it. The reason that the human odors can never be completely eliminated is because we are naturally producing human odor molecules 24 hours a day.

I think we can all safely say that the # 1 defense mechanism for deer is their nose. Deer not only use their nose to avoid danger, they use it during mating season and also when foraging for food. They are constantly checking and testing their surroundings with their sense of smell. It has been said that deer may avoid an area for up to a month after being spooked by human odor.

When hunting whitetails, the most important thing that you can do is minimize your odor and other odors that you may pick up along the way. How many times have you witnessed hunters filling up with gas with their hunting clothes on or perhaps sitting in the restaurant right before the hunt? Now get this, it has been documented that deer have winded hunters from