What I learned hunting this week

[Fordman]

This last was my first try at deer hunting with a bow. I am sure this mean nothing to most here but a fellow newbie might find this informative.

1. Make sure your release is in your pocket before loading up anything,it is not cool having to walk back to the truck to get it.

2. A Thermocell mosquito repellent works

3. Merino wool is not a gimmick and works as advertised

4. Once you hear a deer approaching do not turn your head at all to try to locate it.this only applies if you are in a tree stand with no cover.And do not get impatient in this situation,they seem to really take their time before coming out into the open.

5. You might want to consider a light weight climbing stand instead of a big and heavy one

6.Take water with you

7.When you finally get a shot,do not rush the shot and do not forget about lining up the bubble.

8. If you are sitting in a stand do not stand up to try to make a shot.

9. Learn to shoot sitting down

10. Missing a deer is something I really never want to experience again,I am still depressed about it.

[skeeter]

This last was my first try at deer hunting with a bow. I am sure this mean nothing to most here but a fellow newbie might find this informative.

1. Make sure your release is in your pocket before loading up anything,it is not cool having to walk back to the truck to get it.

2. A Thermocell mosquito repellent works

3. Merino wool is not a gimmick and works as advertised

4. Once you hear a deer approaching do not turn your head at all to try to locate it.this only applies if you are in a tree stand with no cover.And do not get impatient in this situation,they seem to really take their time before coming out into the open.

5. You might want to consider a light weight climbing stand instead of a big and heavy one

6.Take water with you

7.When you finally get a shot,do not rush the shot and do not forget about lining up the bubble.

8. If you are sitting in a stand do not stand up to try to make a shot.

9. Learn to shoot sitting down

10. Missing a deer is something I really never want to experience again,I am still depressed about it.

all apart of becoming a bowhunter! makin the shot aint that hard. its gettin to the position to shoot thats tuff!

missin aint near as bad as makin a bad shot. talk about depressing.

[AntlerMax]

You forgot...

If you haven't seen a deer all day... One will always show up right when you have to pee....

[CastAndBlast]

All good points!

As far as the release thing goes, I now have 3. One in my ranger, one in my pack, and one that gets put on when I get dressed

[WolfKat]

Good list

[Statton48]

That's a small list!! You will add a 1,000 more things before the end of the season. If you hunt enough

[Alexander1]

All good info...

[Fordman]

That's a small list!! You will add a 1,000 more things before the end of the season. If you hunt enough

Please feel free to add to the list

[Statton48]

Stand placement, scent control, when to hunt, where to hunt, what foid source there on, when the rut hits, when there bedded with does, what food they hit late season, hunting pressure, shooting lanes cleared, is the sun in my eyes in the evening/morning, when to rattle, when, where, how, what??? The list will never end

[ETexBowAddict]

I agree.....the list will grow and never stop I think!!! Seems in the last 20 years I add to my list most every time I go!!! But that's what makes Bowhunting so fun!!! To this day I still get so excited I have to remind myself to look at my pins when I shoot. Just last year I decided to remove all but two pins to help limit distraction. One for 30 in and one just in case I have to make a 35 or 40 yard shot. Just one of the many things I have on my list.

[Statton48]

Only thing I can honestly say is the learning curve never ends. Each hunter hunts diffrent. I wish I had more answers about the whitetail but then again I like the challenge and learning experience

[rtp]

I will add this one.

When sitting on a stool in a pop up, make sure the lower limb isn't anywhere near your front knee when you hit the release. It doesn't hurt when the limb hits the inside of your knee but it makes for the most ugly 4 yard shot you have ever seen. And your bow will fall out of your hand. I laughed so hard after I figured out what the heck just happened. The doe came back and I awarded her a pass. She was only 8 yards when I attempted the shot and the arrow stuck in the ground halfway between us.

[Kjones05]

Great post. Being a fairly new bow hunter myself every tip is appreciated.

[Steve_243]

I have experienced everything on that list at least once in my hunting career when I was young. After 30.years of bow hunting, I still pull some bone headed plays sometimes. Good luck to you and learn from your mistakes. And stay in the woods as much as possible. Can't kill em on the couch.

[Horitexan]

Yessir. You learned a lot!

Practicing from a seated position is THE most common mistake people make in preparing for the season. There is a big difference between shooting standing up and shooting sitting down. There aren't many people who get to shoot at a WT from the standing position. Also, most people don't practice shooting from an elevated position - a big mistake. You have to learn to bend at the waist, when shooting downward, to maintain proper form.

Yep, Merino wool is the 'shiznit!'

Lone Wolf Treestands makes some really light and very sturdy treestands, including climbers.

I know some people stand up in a tree stand, to make a shot, but I've never been able to do it; and I hear our hunters say they 'got busted' trying it, all the time. Our deer will look up sometimes and will pick up movement in their peripheral vision, even way up in a tree. It's hard enough to get away with drawing - I'm not going to risk the added movement to stand up.