Deer Hunting 101...Questions and Answers

[batman]

I have been hunting for years and I just use rubber soled boots. Clean clothes but washed only in hot water ( no smelly detergents or bounce in the dryer). Or I might hang my hunting clothes on a clothes line outside for a couple days. Just remember no cologne, body spray etc. being quiet and still to me are the most important. I went hunting yesterday in my work clothes, just through on my cammo jacket and boots and had deer 10' from my stand.

[Polkcountydeerslayer]

Is morning better than evening? Is now a good time to start? How about technique? Thank You in advance Ill hang up and listen.

[albridges]

I prefer the mornings. But I have shot and seen a lot in the evening. Mid day can be good, if you feel it go if not stay home. But I will guarantee you will not see a deer if your not in the woods.

Good luck

[lee31794]

Just curious to see how everybody uses deer calls. When do you use a grunt call while in the stand? How Often? In what sequence? and on what setting? I really just don't know how to use mine. HAHAHA

[DB87]

I just added a built a few small winter plots near my wood stands this weekend. I was wondering if anyone new about how long I should stay away from those stands. (how much will that disrupt the deer flow)

[taylor0118]

I hunt in Southwest GA north of Arlington in Edison or Early county. This is my first year leasing property in GA because I normaly use an outfitter but love GA hunting. I have seen several does and a few smaller bucks but have yet to see much activity in the way of Pre Rut. Does anyone hunt this area and if so when are these bucks going to start rubbing and scraping?

[REEFD]

Originally Posted by outdoorgirl

Is it best to have two seperate stands to hunt from....one for morning hunts and one for evening hunts?

I think the more stands you have (mornin and afternoon) the better chance you have of not burnin one area out plus you may not be able to hunt one because of the wind direction .So you can have back up spots just for these occasions. Jus my opinion tho . GOOD LUCK

[DixieDeluxe]

Im sure this has been answered but please dont hate me for not reading through 8 full pages.

As an avid hunter you would think Im used to calling, NO. Question:For a beginner with almost no calling experience except for rattling, what would you suggest for a person like me during the rut?
Type of call and even brand/model?

Thanks!

[3pits]

I am 42 and have never shot a deer, I have only recently gone hog and coyote hunting, but we have about 50 acres and supposidly lots of deer, I have seen 3-4 good rubs and one guy I let hunt here saw 12 does last Saturday morning. He found a place where a buck is kicking up almost baseball sized clumps of dirt and grass on the edge of one of our fields directly across from 2 trees that have been roughed up, about 200yds. what are some traditions when you take your first deer?, do you keep any special part (assuming it is not a good sized rack) drink blood, eat heart....

how do you determine the age of a buck or doe?, and how do you score a buck?

what is the best shot to take so as not to damage the meat, heart lung or neck shot? do you get any meat off of the neck? I am using either a 308 or 270.

can you move more if sitting in a tree stand or do deer look up?

[DixieDeluxe]

First Blood! When I killed mine, they smeared the blood on my cheeks. Some poeple eat the heart I have heard, not sure.

As far as age I usually go on size, but thats just me.

Stay still in a stand. About the only times I think I am somehwat ok to move around is when I am in a box and they cant see my lower body. Stay quiet, still and down wind.
More will chime in here soon enough.

[Bradley_G]

wow, great thread. Took me two days to read through it, finally finished.

Seems like there was little information returned on calls, when and what type to use, anyone have some advice to share on that aspect?

Also, how about the rattle "bags" vs. the actual "horns"? does the bag work just as well? it seems much smaller to carry in and out.

[rex upshaw]

Originally Posted by DixieDeluxe

Im sure this has been answered but please dont hate me for not reading through 8 full pages.

As an avid hunter you would think Im used to calling, NO. Question:For a beginner with almost no calling experience except for rattling, what would you suggest for a person like me during the rut?
Type of call and even brand/model?

Thanks!

i'd do some grunting and add some rattling every now and again. get an adjustable grunt call that can make mature grunts, as well as younger grunts. mix it up and one sequence use a young grunt and next time try the mature grunt. don't over do it. as for brands, i have an hs true talker that sounds good. flextone makes one that is easy to use as well and i just tried a knight and hale translator, that really sounded good.

[bbettis]

Hey everyone. Im 40 and I just killed my second deer in my life. First one when I was 16. Still dont know alot about it. What are the basics when it comes to hunting from the ground? I have access to some land to hunt. A lot of acorns and hardwoods. I found a trail at the bottom of the ridge and I have seen several deer on that trail but I cant seem to see them before they see or smell me. Any ideas on the best place to set up and any other advice would be greatfull!

[rex upshaw]

Originally Posted by bbettis

Hey everyone. Im 40 and I just killed my second deer in my life. First one when I was 16. Still dont know alot about it. What are the basics when it comes to hunting from the ground? I have access to some land to hunt. A lot of acorns and hardwoods. I found a trail at the bottom of the ridge and I have seen several deer on that trail but I cant seem to see them before they see or smell me. Any ideas on the best place to set up and any other advice would be greatfull!

set up above the trail and get against a large tree. cut down some brush and surround yourself with it, front, sides and back. make sure that you have some shooting lanes in all directions and make sure to get rid of all leaves where you will be sitting. play the wind and try to be as scent free as possible. you might have some swirling winds, that could aid in you getting scented, so be mindful of that. set up against a tree on the ground, or use an innertube or a seat.

[bbettis]

Thanks for the advice. I thought about setting up a blind but I'm not sure if it is the right time to do that.

[bbettis]

I also have a stand overlooking 3 food plots. That is where I got my doe the other day. I have been only able to hunt in the mornings there. Some co workers of mine have said that it is better to hunt plots in the evening, is this true?

[bbrock1415]

I have a question Is it illegal to hunt under powerlines??

[ringgoldhunter]

I have a tip if you smoke in the woods you will see more deer

[Slug-Gunner]

Originally Posted by bbrock1415

I have a question Is it illegal to hunt under powerlines??

This is somewhat of a "Trick Question" in Georgia.

It kind of depends on WHO owns the property that the 'power line' passes through. If the 'power line' company has purchased an 'easement' from the property owner, the property owner can still use the property - for hunting, but CANNOT BUILD ANY STRUCTURES ON IT or make it impassable for utility vehicles to service the 'power line' equipment.

In some cases, the 'power line' utility company OWNS THE LAND IT RUNS ACROSS, and you must have WRITTEN PERMISSION TO USE THE PROPERTY FOR HUNTING. Many utilities DON'T GIVE PERMISSION (to non-employees) due to liability issues and not wanting their equipment damaged by 'stray bullets'.

In any case under Georgia Law, you CANNOT HUNT on property YOU OR YOUR FAMILY DO NOT OWN, unless you have WRITTEN PERMISSION ON YOUR PERSON WHILE HUNTING. Unfortunately, it seems that trespassers and poachers either DON'T CARE or CAN'T READ.

[DixieDeluxe]

Originally Posted by bbettis

I also have a stand overlooking 3 food plots. That is where I got my doe the other day. I have been only able to hunt in the mornings there. Some co workers of mine have said that it is better to hunt plots in the evening, is this true?

I dont know for sure (Im sure people here do) but I, personally, have had the best luck with food plots in the evening. I have hunted green firelds in the morning but havnt in a while because I dont have much luck with them.

[mollman]

i am looking for a gun to use to kill deer that is light weight, small and does not have to much recoil, and is semi auto. i know it is specific, any suggestions

[hoochfisher]

does anyone know of any public land close to athens where i could go in any time of year and study deer and animal patterns and actions?

i'm thinking of just putting on the camo, using a cover scent, and finding a place to just sit and watch. no gun, no camera, nothing.


the 2010 season will be my first year of deer hunting, and i had the thought that doing something like that a few times this spring would help me become more succesfull in hunting and just gaining a better understanding of deer behavior in general.

is it even legal to do this on public land?

thanks,
hoochfisher

[Bigslinger]

Originally Posted by mollman

i am looking for a gun to use to kill deer that is light weight, small and does not have to much recoil, and is semi auto. i know it is specific, any suggestions

Any .243 is a good deer rifle for youth or women.

[jimmy.444]

Originally Posted by DixieDeluxe

Im sure this has been answered but please dont hate me for not reading through 8 full pages.

As an avid hunter you would think Im used to calling, NO. Question:For a beginner with almost no calling experience except for rattling, what would you suggest for a person like me during the rut?
Type of call and even brand/model?

Thanks!

my son killed a nice 10 pointer 2 years ago on a food plot in bleckley county. he was using "THE CAN". The one you put your thumb over the hole and turn it up. He was doing that about every 20 minutes from 430 pm and this deer stepped out at about 550 into the food plot 75yards away. He shot the deer the first week of december . He was using the smallest can they make.

[coondog96]

Originally Posted by bbettis

Thanks for the advice. I thought about setting up a blind but I'm not sure if it is the right time to do that.

in my opinion blinds are always good no certain time when or when not to use one but be mindful of the wind direction that is the whole key whether on the ground or in a stand.

[Buck Nasty]

Originally Posted by mollman

i am looking for a gun to use to kill deer that is light weight, small and does not have to much recoil, and is semi auto. i know it is specific, any suggestions

Semiauto's will limit your search since only a few make them. Browning and Remington are the only two that I know of, and both make em in .243 and .308 which are at the lower end on recoil.

[sffootball54]

I'm 17 and i'm huntin the extended bow season in forsyth county, i got permision to hunt back in the woods near a neighborhood so heres were i need help.....

My stand is set up under 3 huge acorn trees, and a bunch of scrapes from the rut, i cleared out a bunch of brush right next to one of the trees and a scrape, last week i saw a pretty 10 point about 30 yards out and i screwed up took the shot and missed right over his back as he ducked, he ran off then stopped ate at the other acorn and i hadn seen him since, i hunted mornin and night this whole weekend and didn see him, only doe and a 4 point, it snowed and i looked around for his tracks and didn see any one, my question is will he be back? What should i do? should i move my stand, or scout for him? The weather is suposed to reach the 50's next weekend, will that help?

Thanks

[bassculler]

I'm in the process of trying to find a club to join for the 2010 hunting season. This is the first club I have ever joined and I have a few questions:

1. Is a pin in system better than "meeting in the morning before the hunt and discussing locations?
2. If the club has 25 members, 1500 acres and 5 plots with box stands, who will get to hunt the plots? First come, first serve?
3. Do the old timers typically have the best spots and try to keep them for themselves?

Thanks for any help

[Younghunter13]

This is going to be my first year hunting by myself and I was wondering if yall know how old you have to be to get a hunting license and also the age to purchase a gun. I know I'm a nube, but I'm 16 and ready to get that big one!

[bassculler]

I'm under the assumption that either this thread is closed, members have lost interest in it or I am posting questions in the wrong place.......

[FlipKing]

In hunting clubs, the one I hunted in anyway, it was a check in station and it was first come first serve. You could tag a stand out for 2 weeks but you had to hunt that stand and no where else. People also had climbers and stuff where there werent stands. Everyone has honey holes they try to keep to themselves to be honest. Hunting license you can get at 16. You cant buy a rifle or shotgun until you are 18

[polkhunt]

I do not know if rattling has been mentioned yet in this thread I did not read every post but I will mention my experience. I have heard people say that to rattle during the rut is a waste of time that a buck will not leave a doe to fight. I can only speak from my experience that a doe will come to a rattle to try to shake a chasing buck off her tail I have seen more than once. I am just stating my experience I have had good luck with rattling over the years in north georgia.

[ronbigdog1]

Originally Posted by outdoorgirl

Here is a question...when deer are bedding, do bucks and does bed together?

No with the exception of during the rut peiord and then only when a doe is in estrus will they stay together, on the other hand if you jump a buck in the prerut you will more than likely see more than one jump up at the same time. Also if you jump a small buck up you can expect to see more about the same size, bucks have a tendancy to hang with other bucks that are or about the same size, the thing is small bucks dont like the big boys and are intimidated by them. Its kind of like in school they stay in there own grade,so if its a 10 pt you can expect to see others in the range of 8 to 12 pts range with them, but its not the points that makes the difference its the age of the buck . I hope this helps.

[ronbigdog1]

does anybody know?

[rokirby]

I just aquired 225 acres.In the middle of the land it is wet but I'm sure it will dry up in the summer.One side has tall,thinned out pines,the other has thick pines not thinned out. There is no farm land nearby. I can't plant much in the pines so what would be good to plant in the wet areas to get the deer to stick around and stay around?

[matthew307b]

i have a question i have been hunting deer with a rifle for about 4 or 5 years now and i just bought me a matthew reezen and im going to start bow hunting this year. which would be better to start off hunting out of a blind or a tree stand?

[thurmongene]

whow, there is a lot of knowledge here.

[THWACKG5]

Originally Posted by matthew307b

i have a question i have been hunting deer with a rifle for about 4 or 5 years now and i just bought me a matthew reezen and im going to start bow hunting this year. which would be better to start off hunting out of a blind or a tree stand?

Surely a tree stand!!!
And if at all possible practice shooting your new bow from some sort of elevation to simulate being in a stand.
Your arrow will fly differently shooting down at an angle as opposed to shooting parallel with the ground.

Some folks even build an elevated shooting stand just for practicing. I shoot off the back of my second story deck on my house.

Good luck!!

[gogatorsjr]

Originally Posted by outdoorgirl

This is probably a stupid question but when exactly is the rut?

The rut varies accordin to your region, like in middle georgia where i hunt, the peak of the rut is usually in middle november, but in south georgia towards the bama line, it is january.

[gogatorsjr]

Originally Posted by hoochfisher

does anyone know of any public land close to athens where i could go in any time of year and study deer and animal patterns and actions?

i'm thinking of just putting on the camo, using a cover scent, and finding a place to just sit and watch. no gun, no camera, nothing.


the 2010 season will be my first year of deer hunting, and i had the thought that doing something like that a few times this spring would help me become more succesfull in hunting and just gaining a better understanding of deer behavior in general.

is it even legal to do this on public land?

thanks,
hoochfisher

Im not too sure this plan will work for you come fall because the deer movements and activities are COMPLETLEY diffrent baised on the season.

[THWACKG5]

Originally Posted by gogatorsjr

Im not too sure this plan will work for you come fall because the deer movements and activities are COMPLETLEY diffrent baised on the season.

They're patterns and whatnot surely change come fall, but any exposure to being in the presence of deer will definitely help you come fall. Not in predicting there exact location come season.

But if you are new to deer hunting then you cant have too much practice of being still and staying down wind!!

If you do get deer in front of you, very slowly move around just a tiny bit as if you were drawing a weapon, just to kind of test the deer to see where your limit is before spook. Ive set there with does in front of me making intentionally making noises louder and louder just testing there hearing!! You will learn alot by just being in the woods and observing.

Goodluck

[brashearb]

This maybe a stupid question but once you kill a deer and gut it do you need to skin it out before taking it to a processor or do they do that for you? What do you need to do to get the head mounted?

[AmericanBorn57]

Brashearb, depends on the processor but most "deer" processors will accept them field dressed (gutted). If you intend to have the deer mounted, take care to keep your opening cut limited to just into what we would think of as the sternum or first rib. This gives as much good hide for the taxidermist as possible. DO NOT cut the deer's throat (if they are dead, they won't drain much anyway). Then just tell your processor you want it mounted and they will skin it out appropriately and freeze it for you to take to the taxidermist.

[AmericanBorn57]

Originally Posted by rokirby

I just aquired 225 acres.In the middle of the land it is wet but I'm sure it will dry up in the summer.One side has tall,thinned out pines,the other has thick pines not thinned out. There is no farm land nearby. I can't plant much in the pines so what would be good to plant in the wet areas to get the deer to stick around and stay around?

I know it has been a while...what did you end up doing on your planting? With all those pines around, would I be right guessing sandy soil? I'd get a soil sample to the local county agent. He can make suggestions as to what you need to do to the soil to get it to grow goodies for the fall.

[brashearb]

Originally Posted by AmericanBorn57

Brashearb, depends on the processor but most "deer" processors will accept them field dressed (gutted). If you intend to have the deer mounted, take care to keep your opening cut limited to just into what we would think of as the sternum or first rib. This gives as much good hide for the taxidermist as possible. DO NOT cut the deer's throat (if they are dead, they won't drain much anyway). Then just tell your processor you want it mounted and they will skin it out appropriately and freeze it for you to take to the taxidermist.

Thanks for the information...

[B4LITE]

Just a quick tip- learn to squirrel bark to stop deer, it is natural and all deer will stop without being real nervous. I bow hunt and I have had does under my stand and have drawn back and my elbow would hit the tree or they saw movement and run. Squirrel bark (like calling your horse or telling it to getty-up) and don't move; they will stop, not even look up and start eating again. Or if they run they will come right back in. If a big buck looks up at you and bolts howler as loud as you can MAAAAAA and go to full draw and be on him. He will normally stop and spin around presenting a side shot. Killed two this way and I actually had one come running right back to me. Good luck