well since we only have one weekend left this season I thought I might try spot and stalk deer hunting for the first time, here the woods are open pine forests with palmetoes and small areas dense hardwood thickets with briars and brush, I will have a friend with me and we can walk along the trails fairly quiet without making noise but how do I go about stalking deer in this type of area?, should I head for the bedding areas after first light?, walk slowly along the trails?,head for the feeding areas?, what should I head for? when its wet here you can litteraly walk along some trails without making a sound
thanks
Ian
Ian, I haven,t walked in your shoes in LA, so I don,t know how much help I can be. but if you already know your feeding areas vs bedding areas you are already in the game. You have to be in the spot between the two. or after they bed thats where you need to be. Noise is somewhat important, but to me movement and wind is the major factor, every movement you make better be slow, no swatting flies, quick hand movement, etc. The trick to this game is you have got to see them first, period. The game I always try to play is Army, If they see me first I,m dead, believe me I die alot. but when it works even a doe becomes a trophy. Good luck and give it a go. The tougher the terrian the better the trophy.
Walk face into the wind.
I've never been able to spot and stalk a deer where I live. Too many leaves on the ground and the forest floor is quite noisy when pussy footing around.
It sounds more like you are going "still Hunting". That's where you move very slowly and hope to spot the animal before it sees you. Generally at close range.
Noise is tolerated if it's not rythmic. By that I mean one or two steps, then a looong pause.
It actually works best when the animals are up and about so going early and late is best. Have fun and don't get upset over being busted.
Carry a plastic water bottle 3/4 full. If you can hear the water your going way to fast.
I don't like following the deer trails if it can be helped. But be able to watch them for movement.
Some PA deer can "sit" very tight and let you walk right past them.
A decent set of binos can help spot your quarry. If you know the area, wind patterns etc. then mentally form a stalk route considering time of day, animal movement patterns, wind, & so on.
I have stalked wild elk close enough to touch one with my bow tip, unfortunately it was a small group of cows & calves without a bull around, early season on the Tuchodi River.
I rely heavily on animal behavior to stalk close. Body english will tell you if a critter is relaxed or alarmed, move only when you cannot see an eye of your quarry. It can take time, lots of time. Try to anticipate the animal's escape routes, feeding sources & bedding areas. Sometimes a slow approach will move a critter casually along one of these routes.
Other than that, there is only 3 things to remember, wind, wind, wind. Good luck! - Q.
Ian did you receive your new Orion and if so how do you like it.I would like to see and feel it b/c thinking about one.How is the grip size I have small hands.Are you going to any trad shoots like the ones at Mountain Bayou this spring. Kip