No matter how long you’ve been deer hunting, it’s always helpful to reflect on your past experiences and see where you may have gone wrong. By avoiding these 10 common deer hunting mistakes, you’ll be setting yourself up for success on your next hunt.
1. Failing to scout ahead of time
If you don’t know where the deer are, you’re not going to be able to bag one. You need to do your homework before hunting season begins. Tour the area you plan to hunt. Look for deer trails and signs of deer activity. Pay attention to the wind direction. You don’t want to alert the deer to your presence. If possible, set up your hunting blind in advance. The more you know about the area, the better your chances of success.
2. Not being in shape
Hunting requires walking, climbing, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. If you’re not in good physical shape, you’re going to be miserable. You won’t be able to make long hikes. You’ll get tired easily and won’t be able to stay in your hunting blind as long as you need to. To be a successful hunter, you need to be physically fit.
3. Making too much noise
Deer have keen hearing. If you make too much noise, you’re going to scare them off. Be careful when you’re walking. Avoid dry leaves and twigs that can snap and make noise. When you’re in your hunting blind, don’t move around too much. If you must move, do it slowly and carefully. Any sudden movements could spook the deer.
4. Wearing the wrong clothes
You need to wear clothes that will help you blend in with your surroundings. If the deer can see you, they’re going to be more likely to avoid you. Wear clothing that is the same color as the foliage in the area where you’re hunting. In the fall, that might mean wearing shades of brown and orange. In the winter, white or grey might be a better choice. You also need to make sure you’re properly dressed for the weather conditions. You don’t want to get too cold or too hot while you’re waiting for the deer to show up.
5. Not being patient
Patience is key when hunting deer. You need to be prepared to wait for long periods of time without seeing anything. If you get too frustrated, you’re going to make mistakes. You might get restless and start moving around too much. You might get impatient and take a shot before the deer is in range. You might even get so discouraged that you give up and go home without ever firing your weapon. If you want to be successful, you need to learn to be patient.
6. Not being prepared
You need to make sure you have everything you need before you go hunting. That means having the right weapons and ammunition. It also means having the right supplies. Bring food and water with you in case you get stranded. Bring a first-aid kit in case you or your hunting partners get injured. And bring a flashlight in case you have to walk out in the dark. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of success.
7. Not paying attention to the wind
The wind can be your friend or your enemy when you’re hunting deer. If the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, the deer will be able to smell you and they’ll avoid you. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the wind direction. You need to position yourself upwind of the deer so they can’t smell you. Then they’ll be more likely to walk right into your line of fire.
8. Not knowing the rules
Every state has different rules and regulations for hunting deer. It’s important that you know the rules before you go hunting. You need to know how many deer you’re allowed to kill. You need to know what type of weapon you’re allowed to use. You need to know what time of year you’re allowed to hunt. If you don’t know the rules, you could end up getting fined or even arrested.
9. Not being attentive
You need to be alert when you’re hunting deer. You need to pay attention to your surroundings. You need to be able to identify the sounds of deer moving through the woods. You also need to be able to sit or stand still for long periods of time without falling asleep. If you’re not paying attention, you’re going to miss your opportunity to kill a deer.
10. Not having fun
Hunting deer should be fun. If it’s not, you’re not going to enjoy it. And if you’re not enjoying it, you’re not going to be successful. The key to having fun is to set realistic expectations. Don’t expect to bag a deer every time you go out. And don’t get too disappointed if you don’t. Just enjoy being out in nature and spending time with your friends or family. If you do that, you’re sure to have a good time.
What kills the most deer?
Human hunting is the biggest source of death for young and adult deer. If the goal is to increase the deer population, hunters must kill fewer deer without antlers.
The most difficult challenge facing whitetails is disease, and these two deer sicknesses top the list: chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).
What attracts deer the most for hunting
Deer corn is a type of feed that is corn based. It is a highly consumed bait by whitetails in almost every habitat across the continent. It is also one of the cheapest options for hunters.
When aiming for a deer, the best broadside shot is to aim directly in line with the front leg, between the halfway and lower one-third mark of the chest and the top of the back. Keep in mind that a deer’s heart is situated at a 45-degree angle.
What color scares deer the most?
Most hunters avoid using white light at night because it can easily spook away their prey. Instead, they opt for colored lights like red, green, or blue, which are less likely to scare away game.
The deer’s tail is used as a warning signal to other deer when danger is near. When the tail is held flat against the body, only the brown hairs are visible, and this is a sign to the other deer that they should be alert and ready to run if necessary. When danger is at a long distance, the tail is held up in the air, and this is a sign that the deer is not alarmed and there is no immediate danger.
Why you should not touch deer?
If you come across a newborn animal, it’s best to leave it alone. The animal’s survival depends on it being left alone and if you touch it, you may leave your scent on the animal which could draw predators to it.
Although deer are docile and timid animals that do not attack humans, the deer population explosion, due to human activity, has greatly increased deer-human contact. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of deer-related accidents, including car accidents and attacks on humans by deer. Although most of these incidents are not serious, they underscore the need for caution when interacting with deer.
Why deer should not be hunted
The deer can do a lot of damage to the environment, and using hunting to control their population is more humane than leaving animals to starve due to a lack of food. Hunting can help to keep the deer population under control, which can in turn help to protect the environment from damage.
Summer and early fall is when deer primarily eat browse and forbs, while later in fall and early winter they switch to eating more mast and grass. The quantity of each food type that a deer eats also changes throughout the year, with browse and forbs being more abundant in the summer and mast and grass being more abundant in the fall and winter. The region you are hunting also affects what type of food deer will eat, with browse and forbs being more prevalent in southern regions and mast and grass being more prevalent in northern regions.
What smell attracts deer?
If you want to attract deer to a specific area, try pouring some buck or doe urine, or scrape starter into the soil. This will create an appealing smell that will keep bucks coming back to check the scrape.
A food plot is a great way to attract deer. By planting various crops, you can provide a food source that will keep deer around your property. Larger plots of 10 or more acres can be planted with forage soybeans, while smaller patches of broken tree canopy can be planted with brassica, corn, milo, turnips, peas, clover, and alfalfa. By providing a food source, you can ensure that deer will visit your property and remain in the area.
What time of day do deer move most
This is referring to the fact that deer are most active at dawn and dusk. This is likely because they are trying to avoid predators during these times.
Hunters should be aware that whitetail deer are most active around dawn and dusk, with periodic increases in activity overnight. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and get out during the right time of day in order to increase your chances of success.
How far should you track a deer before giving up?
If you come across a wild animal, it is best to give it a wide berth. Make sure to follow it from a distance of at least 50 yards and avoid getting too close. If the animal does attack, remember that a small amount of its blood can infect you with a number of diseases. So, it’s important to get to a hospital as soon as possible if you are injured.
Motion-activated radios can be an effective deer deterrent. The radio emits noises that are loud and unfamiliar to deer, which can scare them away. You can find motion-activated radios at many home and garden stores.
How can you tell if a deer is angry
This is a typical posture for a dog who is angry or aggressive. The head is held erect to appear more intimidating, the chin is tucked in to protect the throat, and the hair along the neck and hips is raised to make the dog look larger and more threatening.
Although a deer’s vision is poor, they can still sense something is around them. They cannot focus on it unless their nose is pointed up for both their eyes to see. They even see better colors than we do and are not colorblind, as once thought.
Wrap Up
1. Not being prepared for the weather conditions
2. Not knowing your target
3. Not having a clear shot
4. Moving too much
5. Not being scent-free
6. Making too much noise
7. Not paying attention to the wind
8. Not having enough attractants
9. Not having a back-up plan
10. Not being patient
In order to avoid making common mistakes while deer hunting, it is important to be aware of what those mistakes are. Some of the most common deer hunting mistakes include not knowing your rifle, not checking for wind direction, not being patient, forgetting your rangefinder, and more. By knowing what mistakes to avoid, you can increase your chances of success while deer hunting.