Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Deer hunting can be a great way to put food on the table for your family over the winter. Unfortunately, novice hunters do not realize how sharp a deer's senses are. Deer have a very powerful sense of smell, and if one senses any human or other predatory animal's odor at all, it won't come close enough to a hunting stand. Odor and sound management are two keys to a successful deer hunt.
Attracting deer is part of the challenge associated with deer hunting. Hunters use a variety of means to attract deer to specific areas, such as near or around deer stands or blinds. Feeders, stumps and blocks are commonly used to attract deer and may be purchased from a variety of sporting and feed outlets. However, peanut butter can also prove to be effective as a deer attractant and is an economical alternative to the often higher priced proven attractants.
Deer hunting is an enjoyable way to connect with nature, sharpen woodsmanship, and obtain tasty venison. Hunting usually takes place from a ground blind or a stand placed high in a tree. However, deer are well-known for getting spooked by any metallic reflections or abnormally straight lines, as these phenomena are unnatural is the forest. Thoughtful hunters properly camouflage their stands beforehand to maximize their chances for a kill.
Hunting bucks during season can be a lot of hard work. Luring the deer is the trickiest and most integral aspect of this endeavor. Many hunters set up in tree stands and hope that bucks will happen to pass by and become an easy kill. This approach usually bears no positive result and can end up in utter frustration. Addressing the deer's sense of smell and hormone detection is the key to winning over even the most stubborn buck.
The use of tree stands has been a debatable issue among hunters for many years. Many hunting enthusiasts believe that a tree stand is beneficial, and makes hunting easier; others believe that it defeats the purpose of hunting altogether. No matter your view, if you wish to hunt from the comfort of a stationary position in a tree stand, and maintain the element of surprise, a few techniques should be learned. Such techniques include tree stand placement, line of sight and camouflage. All tree stands vary in design: Some are crude wooden platforms, while others are elaborate cushioned chairs with…
Whitetail deer don't instinctively look up to watch for danger. Hunters take advantage of this by positioning stands high up in trees in areas deer are likely to frequent. One of the safest to use, easiest to install and most effective is a ladder stand. A do-it-yourselfer can build one to any desired specifications with common tools and readily available materials, but a 12-foot-high stand with a 30- by 36-inch platform works well for most hunters.
North American deer hunters commonly use tree stands as a tactic to move into position on potential game. Depending on your hunting area, there are several choices to choose from when considering tree stands. Ladder stands and climbing stands have their own positives and negatives and a successful hunter should know how to use both effectively.
Having several ladder stands in place before deer hunting season begins can improve your chances of bringing home a trophy buck. Once you have pinpointed the trails that the deer usually follow and locate the trees where the bucks rub their antlers, you will know where to place your ladder stands. Having several stands in place will allow you to change your hunting location based on wind direction, farmers harvesting crops, and other hunters in the area. Having ladder stands already in place also means that you do not have to lug your tree stand in and out of woods…
Learn where to place your deer stand in the woods to hunt whitetail deer in this free video.
Learn how to hunt deer from a stand in this free video clip on deer hunting and hunting rifles.
