Lots of good advice so far.
When I started hunting, I had absolutely no idea what to do and spent a lot of years learning the "hard way". Here are some things I did to speed up the learning curve.
1). Hang out at the check station on WMA's after your done hunting, you'll meet other hunters who can direct you to better areas on the WMA and give you some tips - Some rangers too are great sources of info. Ask lots of questions
2). Find a few experienced hunters at church, ODT, or the gun range and go hunt with experienced hunters. You will learn so much faster with an experienced hunter to guide you
3). Read a lot of hunting magazines, blogs and watch TV hunting shows....sure you'll have to weed through a lot of advertising hype, but you'll also get lots of good info.
4). Invest in a hunting lease with good people. My hunting learning curve and success accelerated more rapidly on a lease with other experienced hunters, plus visiting the same land consistently really helped me learn where the deer are and how and when they move.
5). A good deer stand or two are critical to maximize success also knowing where to place them.
6). Spent a lot of time scouting pre season- know where you want to go - know specifically where you want to hunt weeks before you actually hunt. On the days you hunt it's important to be there before the sun comes up.
7). Spend a lot of time in the field... The land and the woods will teach you, but it's a slow process that takes time- learn patience- find a good place and sit. Too many in-experienced hunters tromp through the woods making a lot of noise and wonder why they never see any deer.
8). Read and understand the rules and regs they will keep you safe and legal.
9) Learn to enjoy the time in the field and the woods- harvesting a deer is secondary. I became a much better hunter when I learned that! my drive and anxiousness to get a deer- made me move too much- make too much noise and I know I would have been more successful sooner if I would have just sat and enjoyed spending time in the woods.
9). Make sure you accurate with your rifle. Spend time in good practice and try and simulate mentally with shooting a deer- at the range use your imagination and some push-ups to get your heart rate and and adrenaline going and focus on steadying your hand and squeezing the trigger. Breathe slowly, aim small. Also know where to shoot a deer- nothing worse then injuring an animal and never finding it.
10 Have fun- Hunting is good therapy for your mind body and soul.
When I started hunting, I had absolutely no idea what to do and spent a lot of years learning the "hard way". Here are some things I did to speed up the learning curve.
1). Hang out at the check station on WMA's after your done hunting, you'll meet other hunters who can direct you to better areas on the WMA and give you some tips - Some rangers too are great sources of info. Ask lots of questions
2). Find a few experienced hunters at church, ODT, or the gun range and go hunt with experienced hunters. You will learn so much faster with an experienced hunter to guide you
3). Read a lot of hunting magazines, blogs and watch TV hunting shows....sure you'll have to weed through a lot of advertising hype, but you'll also get lots of good info.
4). Invest in a hunting lease with good people. My hunting learning curve and success accelerated more rapidly on a lease with other experienced hunters, plus visiting the same land consistently really helped me learn where the deer are and how and when they move.
5). A good deer stand or two are critical to maximize success also knowing where to place them.
6). Spent a lot of time scouting pre season- know where you want to go - know specifically where you want to hunt weeks before you actually hunt. On the days you hunt it's important to be there before the sun comes up.
7). Spend a lot of time in the field... The land and the woods will teach you, but it's a slow process that takes time- learn patience- find a good place and sit. Too many in-experienced hunters tromp through the woods making a lot of noise and wonder why they never see any deer.
8). Read and understand the rules and regs they will keep you safe and legal.
9) Learn to enjoy the time in the field and the woods- harvesting a deer is secondary. I became a much better hunter when I learned that! my drive and anxiousness to get a deer- made me move too much- make too much noise and I know I would have been more successful sooner if I would have just sat and enjoyed spending time in the woods.
9). Make sure you accurate with your rifle. Spend time in good practice and try and simulate mentally with shooting a deer- at the range use your imagination and some push-ups to get your heart rate and and adrenaline going and focus on steadying your hand and squeezing the trigger. Breathe slowly, aim small. Also know where to shoot a deer- nothing worse then injuring an animal and never finding it.
10 Have fun- Hunting is good therapy for your mind body and soul.
