Archery Tips?

[BAMA BOW MERKER]

I've learned a lot from my father, who has taken lots of deer with archery equipment since the late 70's. I grew up watching old school VHS tapes such as my favorite "Bow Hunting October Whitetails". That being said, in learn new stuff almost every hunt. I've learned a lot through trial and error, but still love to hear from other bow hunters. What would guys say that is something you do that gives you an edge over other bow hunters? Or some small trick that makes your hunt easier.

For me it's has to be my attention given to scent control. Everything from preventive soaps, to scent blocker, to most importantly wind direction.

 

[Radar]

Hunting bottlenecks in terrain and cover and studying topo maps to pick out those possible stand sites ahead of time . Entering and exiting those areas without alerting the deer . Always playing the wind and not compromising a stand by hunting it when the wind is wrong , no matter how hot it may be .

 

[TNDeerGuy]

I agree with Radar, I almost always hunt bottlenecks or funnels and well traveled paths that are in between cover and feeding areas. My next piece of advice is to practice as would if you were hunting (i.e. practice from your treestand).

 

[J-WO]

Start shooting now. I can tell a big difference in between when I start shooting a few months before season as opposed to when I pick up my bow 2 days before the first hunt of the season. Which reminds me,I need to go shoot.

 

[StalkingWolf]

What would guys say that is something you do that gives you an edge over other bow hunters? Or some small trick that makes your hunt easier.

I'm not really looking for an edge over other hunters, but I do want an edge over the game I am after. But to answer your question, I think that hunting with an urgency to kill something puts un-necessary pressure on the hunter. Don't get me wrong, I get blood in my eyes just like the next person, but I know that when I have my mind set that I am going to be patient, enjoy the show, and only take the perfect shot, then my success ratio goes way up. Most of my screw ups come when I rush things. I understand you must act fast sometimes to be successful, but success isn't always defined with a kill.

 

[Radar]

What would guys say that is something you do that gives you an edge over other bow hunters? Or some small trick that makes your hunt easier.

I'm not really looking for an edge over other hunters, but I do want an edge over the game I am after. But to answer your question, I think that hunting with an urgency to kill something puts un-necessary pressure on the hunter. Don't get me wrong, I get blood in my eyes just like the next person, but I know that when I have my mind set that I am going to be patient, enjoy the show, and only take the perfect shot, then my success ratio goes way up. Most of my screw ups come when I rush things. I understand you must act fast sometimes to be successful, but success isn't always defined with a kill.

I'm glad you mentioned not looking for an edge over other hunters , but the deer being pursued . To me , hunting is outwitting the deer , not a competition between hunters . I pattern other hunters as well as the game , yet I enjoy the hunt no matter the outcome .

 

[Mr.Bro]

Wow!Everyone has given some great tips.

My personal favorite is hunting the bottlenecks and watching the wind.My bottleneck stands are set up good.One tree for a north wind and one for a south.Ease in and ease out.

I think alot of hunters are to concerned with finding "sign".They want to know where all the rubs and scrapes are.IMO walking around looking for "sign" judt stinks up your area.If your hunting 100s of acres of woods finding the "sign" might help but not on my farms.

Hunt the funnels hard in Nov. and wait em out.

If i have an edge its the fact that i am far from home.I have a small camper set up.Great for sleeping but nothing more.What i am saying is i have nothing to go home for.So i stay in the tree longer.You would be surprised at the number of hunters that go home at 10AM to watch ball games or just nap.I take a book and plenty of food and drinks and hunt longer than most.

 

[BAMA BOW MERKER]

My comment wasn't intended on hunting being a competition . My "edge over other bow hunters" comment was meant to ask something unique that you might do. Or, a concept that you firmly believe that has given you an advantage in your hunts, that another hunter may not utilyze.

 

[102]

GREAT question.
I got your meaning the way you asked it the first time.

For me, bowhunting IS a competition. But it is between me and the deer.

That said. I think the biggest advantage I have over the deer I hunt is experience with hunting those animals. Especially when I am hunting an area I have years of experience with.

Wether I am in Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, Hamilton County, North Carolina, LBL or AEDC, Franklin County, Coffee County, Grundy, Sequatchie, etc., I have experience with that type of terrain, and deer. I have kept good field notes, and usually can find the dominant food source. That is my "edge". Experience.

Over the years, I have learned to pay attention to DETAILS. Especially what OTHER hunters are doing, seeing, killing.

It matters. When you can gain intel about an area by listening and gathering info from experienced hunters, it helps solve the puzzle.

Details. Ask other what the deer was doing when they saw it.

And when you can access a gutted stomach, yours or another guys, open it and see what they have been feeding on.

Details. Take and KEEP really good field notes. About everything.

DETAILS. Pay attention to the smallest detail and remember. You only have control over ONE thing when bowhunting, your equipment. Not wind, weather, nor nerves, nor the deer, or much of anything else. JUST your equipment. (and sometimes not even that)

Use REALLY sharp and accurate broadheads.

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[StalkingWolf]

My comment wasn't intended on hunting being a competition . My "edge over other bow hunters" comment was meant to ask something unique that you might do. Or, a concept that you firmly believe that has given you an advantage in your hunts, that another hunter may not utilyze.

Understood. Sorry if that came off the wrong way.

 

[102]

Remember this always.
For me, bow hunting success or failure has most often been measured by mere INCHES. If my arrow had been a few inches highr or lower, forward or back, I would have had MANY different outcomes.

But there is one thing I have no regret about. Practice and preparation. I was ready. Missing is just part of the sport.

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