Conventional wisdom for deer hunting was that only experience would make a good hunter. However, times (and hunting technology) has changed, and there are several factors to consider when it’s time to bag that big buck.
Know when to shoot and when to pass. Waiting for the buck to mature into a bigger prize is always a worthwhile thought. Don’t shoot just to shoot; think strategy before firing at the first sighting.
Go where the bucks go. This may sound obvious, but look for the things that they look for: water, food, bedding. Make sure you take into account their escape routes as well, as that is something they look for when choosing a safe space. They seem to prefer a space with plenty of water, so be sure to check in swamps, marshes, and wetlands.
Look for the signs, and learn to track a buck. A rub, or area that a buck makes when rubbing up against an object such as a tree, is an excellent sign. Rubs larger than four inches can signify a large buck, as well as the height of the rub. Look for tracks, as these will tell you which direction they were moving in – helping you to look in the best possible places. Use the track direction to determine which way the buck was heading, and remember to stay downwind as much as possible to avoid spooking him.
Hang your stand in the best possible place well before the hunt. Allow enough time for the activity level and associated scents to settle before inhabiting the stand and hunting from it. Don’t place your stand directly next to the tracks, but slightly downwind and far enough away to enable good shots. Ideally, scouting for the ideal position for the stand should be happening all year, but at least a month should be sufficient. You should put some corn out about a month before hunting season starts to attract deer. Hang the stand high to remain out of the line of sight of the bucks, at least 14 feet, although some experts recommend 18 feet.
Learn effective ways to attract the target. Deer calls are one way to help bring the deer to you. Does and young buck respond well to distress calls or fawn brawls. Dominant bucks tend to respond to social grunt, low grunt, tending grunt, or a grunt snort. Most deer will respond to a social or low grunt. Knowing your target and the calls to attract them will help ensure a better hunt. Rattling, or rustling leaves and pounding the ground also work well, especially with dominant bucks who will respond out of curiosity, and they will generally approach from downwind, so take that into consideration when planning your calls and decoys. Having an extra set of antlers to recreate the sound of other bucks fighting may also help bring them out.
Watch the weather and plan accordingly. A light rain shouldn’t affect deer movement or activity, but a heavy rain or other storm can effectively put a stop to the hunt. Check the weather well before you go and make sure to keep tabs on it, since weather forecasting can be notoriously unreliable. Also, hunting after a heavy rain can be helpful as it washes away any lingering scent and the deer are out searching for food.
Be sure to have a plan. Don’t go into the woods without a well-established plan and agreement from everyone in your party. Remember the basic tools such as a compass, water, map, food, lighter or some other fire-making instrument. Plan to start early and be out late, and prepare accordingly.