Whitetail Deer Hunts Today

In talking with hunters all over the US, I have found that even some great hunters still hold on to common myths of deer hunting. In this article I would like to expose what I consider to be the top ten myths of deer hunting.

Myth #1 Big bucks roam frequently roam.

Truth #1 Big bucks have a home territory that they usually stay in. They may roam some during the rut in search of does in estrus.

Myth#2 Bucks bed in the thickest cover.

Truth #2 Bucks will bed in thick cover but they will also bed in thin cover on hills and ridges where they can view approaching predators

Myth #3 Finding frequent scrapes close together means there is a big buck in the area.

Truth #3 This is most likely the work of a younger buck that is showing off his prowess. A mature buck will make big scrapes but not as many as a 1 to 2 year old.

Myth #4 and #5 Big bucks don’t walk in doe trails.

Bucks follow behind does to avoid danger.

Truth #4 and #5 Big bucks normally don’t walk in doe trails except during rutting season. A dominant buck will walk a doe trail and behind does when he is following a doe in estrus.

Myth #6 A full moon is bad for hunting.

Truth #6 Scientific research has found that the second full moon after the fall equinox starts the rutting season in central and northern states.

Myth #7 Spooked deer run for miles.

Truth #7 While deer can run 35 - 40 mph, they will run for only a couple of hundred yards when frightened.

Myth #8 The rut lasts only a few days.

Truth #8 Does come into estrus individually. Does that do not breed during their first estrus of the season will enter into estrus again in about a month.

Myth #9 The size of a buck’s antlers indicates his age.

Truth #9 While antler size usually increases with age, the age of a buck cannot be determined by the size of his antlers. Antler size and number of points varies with the individual based on genetics and nutrition.

Myth #10 There’s no need to stay out hunting in the middle of the day because the deer are resting.

Truth #10 Especially under the pressure of the hunting season, deer (including bucks) will be on the move all day.

I hope you enjoyed the Top 10 Myths of Deer Hunting!

Joe Pineland has written an acclaimed eBook called Deer Hunting Secrets. He wants to promote this great North American pasttime through proper education of the fundamentals and knowledge of hunting history. More information can be found at http://www.deersecrets.com

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Deer Calls

Have you ever asked yourself, do deer calls really work during the early archery season? Or what about grunting and rattling during the rutting season? The answer is yes. In the northern states many archery deer hunting seasons start in early October. Here in Michigan, the deer season kicks off Oct. 1st. One of my favorite calls to use is the Bleat in a Can or calling with my mouth in the early season. When calling with my mouth, I simply make the sound, “blat” or “mat” trying to imitate either a mature deer or a young fawn. Mature does seem to respond to the fawn bleat “mat” more so than the “blat” which I use when trying to call in a mature buck. This type of calling seems to work best in the early season before the rut sets in.

Modern deer calling didn’t start or it was not accepted until the early 80’s when companies like Quaker Boy of New York, Haydel’s of Louisiana and Woods Wise Products of Tennessee started mass producing the white-tail deer calls. Many archery hunters like me and my Dad started calling with our mouths as early as the late 60’s. Most calls that are produced today, imitate the grunting noise of the buck and the snort and bleat noise made by all white-tail deer. Rattling of antlers is also considered a type of call. For this particular call, I like using the antlers in a bag. The reason for this is the bag is not bulky like carrying around a set of antlers would be. I usually have the bag of antlers tied around my leg or in my front pocket where I have easy access to it. If you use antlers for your choice of rattling call, you either have to hang them up in your stand or lay them down on your platform. Both of these types of antler rattling work well during the rutting season.

The grunt call is also an excellent call to use during the entire archery season. This call stimulates the deer’s curiosity and the noise is made by both the doe and the buck. Most people think only the buck makes this low pitched noise during the rutting season. Not true.The doe makes this same noise, only not quite as loud as the mature buck will make. It is also believed that grunting will scare off the smaller buck. That is not necessarily true. Although the smaller buck may not want to get into a battle with the larger buck, they are curious and anxious to see a battle. Grunting calls work very well during the rut.

Keep in mind, during your archery white-tail deer season, using one particular call may not work as well as another on any given day. This is why I carry or use different calls all season long. In order to master a call, all you have to do is practice and listen to the deer talking out in the wild and then imitate them. It really does work! Listen and Learn!

My name is Ted Lake and I’m building a website in memory of my dad Deuaine Lake. This site is all about Archery and Archery Hunting. My dad started me when I was 5 years old (1956) and I’ve continued to teach both my boys the same respect for the sport of archery. Please feel welcome to visit my free website at http://www.complete-archery-information.com

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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.

Do you like more deer hunting tips? You will like to visit our complete deer hunting guide and download a special report on “planning the perfect hunting trip” for free. You may also like to visit our main site if you are interested in duck hunting, turkey hunting, or just any area of hunting topics.

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Summer has come and gone and now the little hints that winter is coming is sure going to be a real good thing for those who simply love the cold. But then again, it is also very important that you do remember that this is also when the deer start coming out right towards your vehicle. Indeed, this would be the right period to dub “deer season”.

When do the deer start coming out? According to experts, these harmless folk start traversing to the roads come October up until December primarily because this is the period when the male deer has a great amount of activity. It may sound quite harmless but remember that when they do start going your way, it would end up in a lot of vehicular collisions. Perhaps it would not be a big deal if you only had your Subaru auto parts to think about. But then again, it is not all about that. It also does involve other aspects like you suffering from grave injuries or even losing your life simply because a deer crossed your path while you were driving down the road.

Mike Convery is the current vice president and chief claim officer at the MetLife Auto & Home business and he does inform people, “Deer are bigger and heaver than people may think. Every year, we receive reports of hundreds of claims involving animal related collisions during the fall months. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost for a collision claim is $2,800, although, when a bodily injury is involved, that cost rises to $10,000. These collisions come from out of nowhere, occur in seconds, and can result in significant property damage and life-threatening situations. Fortunately, by staying alert and reacting appropriately, drivers can avoid many collisions.”

So what do you do?

It is important that you do take into consideration the time that you are driving. You see, deer are very much active during sunset up until midnight. They are also active before and after sunrise. So you may want to be more careful during these times. It is also important that you do try to be always on the alert. You see, deer are not likely to run to roads alone. This simply means that if you do see one, there are also others nearby.

As a manager of one of the largest auto store in Springfield,Massachusetts, Sarah has extensive expertise on auto parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a certified car enthusiast. You can visit Subaru auto parts for more information.

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Deer hunting season is upon us this fall in many states and I am so excited that I can hardly wait to put on my ridiculous looking bright orange hunting clothing and accessories so I can hit the outdoors.

My wife teases me about how silly I look in my bright orange hunting gear but if I were to leave the house without it she would be terrified for my safety and would think I have lost my mind for not wearing the correct gear for deer hunting safety.

As I double checked my gear in anticipation of the deer hunting season opening right around the corner it got me to think just how important it is to be safe out there.

Deer hunting is a fun outdoor sport but just like any type of sport you must adhere to certain safety precautions to avoid injury or even death. And not just your safety but that of your fellow hunters.

Deer hunting after all involves a lot of eager men, women, and children out there armed with high powered rifles and unfortunately not everyone is as safety conscious as they should be.

7 Deer hunting safety tips

1. Wear the bright orange hunting clothing gear so you can be easily seeing and not confused with a deer. Not only is it safe but it’s also required by law.
2. Do not pull the trigger unless unless you are sure without doubt, that your target is a deer. Sounds like a no-brainer but you would be amazed that the most hunting accidents are from hunters shooting other hunters by accident.
3. Let your family and/or friends know when you’re going hunting, where, and what time you’re expected to be back home.
4. Check the weather forecast.
5. If at all possible, avoid hunting alone.
6. Use your own tree stand and make sure it’s installed or built safety before you climb up on it.
7. Take care of your hunting equipment before and after the hunt.

Hunt Safe - Have FunHunting is a fantastic and fun outdoor activity. Not only is it a great form of getting exercise but it allows you to spend time outdoors with your friends and family and even your dog.

By following the hunting safety tips outline above not only do you ensure your safety but that of your fellow hunters (both the two and four legged hunters).

Please keep those hunting safety tips in mind each time so we can all have a safe and fun hunting experience.

When you pick up your deer hunting license ask for safety brochures or check your states department of natural resources agency website they will have printable safety tips.

Wesley Ames is an avid bird and deer hunter. His love for deer hunting and the outdoors led him to launch a website dedicated to deer hunting. Deer Hunting 411 provides tips, ticks, news, venison recipes, and more. Anyone interested in deer hunting is encouraged to visit Wes at Deer Hunting 411 at http://www.deerhunting411.com

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Do you have trouble with deer ruining your landscaping? Here is some advise on how to keep the cute, but pesky and destructive little creatures away. The first thing you need to understand is that deer will eat just about anything. The other thing to remember is that if they were there first, they will come back.

To begin, try to create a landscape that is deer resistant. You should call your local nursery to get a list of deer resistant plants for your area. These will include plants that are poisonous to deer and many plants that are native to your area. If a native plant has lived for thousands of years in your area, it must be because the plant has some mechanism that makes it distasteful to deer.

Keep in mind that very few plants are truly deer proof. They are generally resistant if anything at all. Even plants that look like nothing should want to eat them, like roses with all the thorns or holly with the sharp barbs, will be eaten. Anything that is resistant will be eaten when the tender, new growth emerges. Anything that will make a deer sick will be eaten in times of drought when nothing else is available.

Things that may be worth trying:

1. Get a dog. Doggy droppings tell the deer that a predator may be in the area and they will probably stay away. Barking is also a good deterrent.
2. Build a tall fence.
3. Install an electric fence around the landscaping you want to protect.
4. Install what looks like an electric fence, but use wire or nylon line that is not plugged into anything. If the deer have been conditioned by the neighbors that electric fences are bad, this may keep them away from your plants.
5. Spray a commercial deer repellant on things the deer like to eat. The problem with this is that you may need to reapply it every time it rains and after significant plant growth.
6. Chop garlic and hot peppers and soak them in water for a couple of days. Strain, put into a spray bottle and start spraying. Reapply after rain or new growth.
7. Gather human hair from a salon, place it in tea bags and hang around your plants that you want to protect. Replace the hair monthly (this may not work if deer are used to being around humans).
8. Spray a mixture of 80% water and 20% eggs on the plants. Reapply every month.
9. Protect small tree trunks during the rutting season by wrapping them with rubber tubing or with a fence. Bucks will use the trees to rub the velvet off their antlers.

What about your lawn? In general, deer are not a problem for most lawns. However, if they get used to bedding down in your yard, they may lay in the same spots each night. This can cause grass to die off in spots. What to do? Get in the habit of scaring the deer away every time you see them. Install a motion detector that turns on the sprinkler system. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over those spots (they may just move). Buy a dog, build a fence or see items 1-9 above.

Sam Chapman is an Austin REALTOR® who has lived in the Lake Travis/Austin area for 19 years. He is very active in the community and schools as a volunteer and substitute teacher. Learn more about Austin real estate.

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The best deer hunting tips are the ones that you figure out for yourself and can offer to others. After all, few things feel better than finding the way that works for you. Of course, until you reach that point, here are some deer hunting tips to help you get there.

Deer Hunting Tips:

· Deer are generally crepuscular: they are often active at dawn and dusk and sleep during the middle of the day and night.

· This does not, however, mean that you will not see them feeding during the middle of the day.

· Bucks are more often during hunting seas

· Go scouting. Do this during early to late summer. When you scout, be as careful as if you are actually hunting. Stay quite and do not leave much scent.

· Find the food source that the deer will be eating during the hunting season.

· Look for trees that will have the most acorns.

· Look for areas with greens like clover or rye covering the ground.

· Look for deer trail routes. The ones with the freshest tracks are the best.

· If you are going to set up any sort of hunting stand, be sure to set it up pre-season, before the deer start feeding in that area. Otherwise, you can scare them off.

· Mark your “hot spots” on a GPS.

· Also be sure to take lots of notes. Do not expect to simply remember everything. You want to write down everything that you find.

· You can find where the bucks are if you scout during the pre-season, right after the bucks have rubbed the velvet from their antlers. During this time, the rut (mating season) a buck is going to leave more markings on trees than he will afterward.

· Look for areas with thick and dense brush. It is in areas like this that deer like to sleep. You can set up on the outskirts of such an area… somewhere where you will be able to see better.

· Remain still! Do not move unless absolutely necessary!

· Do not fall asleep! This can be tricky when you remain so still, but falling asleep not only will lose you your deer, but it can also be quite dangerous if you are up in a tree stand.

· Use special products to mask your scent. Deer have an excellent sense of smell.

· Keep the wind direction in mind. Stay downwind of whatever feeding or sleeping spot, etc. you are “staking out.” Constantly check for changes in the wind.

· Wear a harness if using a tree stand.

· Move the site of your tree stand around. You do not want your deer to start associating deer stands with humans!

· Try to avoid walking a long a deer trail or even walk parallel to one. Take the back route… walk up streams, etc.

· Be sure to always be ready. Make sure that you have checked your equipment right when you get to the stand, not once a deer is already out!

· The majority of deer are shot downwind from a food source.

These are only a few deer hunting tips. There are actually many deer hunting tips available on many different websites from many different, experienced hunters. Before hunting in a certain spot, is a good idea to ask locals hunters for their own, personal tips. Different areas can vary, and everyone has his or her own tricks of the trade.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, the environment, recreation, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on hunting, please visit Deer Blinds.

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