QuoteOriginally posted by graybarkhunter:
never look a deer in the eyes...

I believe this 100%

Use your binos!  The advantage of eyesight, smell, and hearing go to the animal so this advantage is....well...an advantage :-)

Plus it forces you to slow down and look.

Very good thread.  Please chime in, as your little tips could save someone else an injury, death, or even 10 years' worth of blundering.

I try to think never to place something where it shouldn't be forgotten.  I NEVER set my bow down behind my car.  I never even set a broadhead in a place where a child could get ahold of it, or where it could hurt someone.  Not even for a moment.  I got a Bodkin through my knee at 13 years old, and the scar helps me to remember!  I set things only in places where I could find them if I forget them.  Knife, cell phone, keys, etc.

Archie

Do not eat "yellow snow"

Prepare as much around your stand as possible weeks prior to walking in.

Get your tow up rope ready, get the stand hung, etc. Do as much as you can particularly in the early season to avoid sweating and bumbling around in the wee morning hours darkness.

Don't forget your rope...

Yep, more than once.

For Whitetails, don't skyline your body. the cover behind you, is maybe more important than the cover in front.

When you shoot a deer, take your compass and mark
the spot of impact, the last spot you saw the deer,
the last place you hear the deer. Use these three to decide the direction of travel the deer took.

Keep your compass in your left hand when in the woods.

Hunting with a stickbow will make you a better hunter. Dang, it has made me a much better predator.

Hunt an isolated feed tree.

Scout for acorns with good binos.

Keep a written log.

If your hunting through the woods with a partner, DONT TALK or whisle


Think im going to get a compass, ive always banked on my GPS but ya never know, one of these days....

Any time you have to pee you will see whatever game animal you're hunting for as soon as you get right in the middle of doing your business.  I swear I think they hide and watch then jump out and laugh at you.

Pay attention to birds.  They will see and hear stuff long before you do.  Titmice, Blue jays and wrens are especially vocal and will often scold anything moving around including you.

Stalk your stand.  The quieter the better, you notice how deer can suddenly appear out of nowhere and your didn't hear them approach?  They do the same thing when leaving the area when you head to your stand.  Take a good long time to get to your stand and stop and look often.  See the deer BEFORE they wave the goodbye-flag!

GPS units are nice to have but trust your compass--it doesn't require batteries Or a good satellite signal.

Best of luck to you and yours,
TomBow

caffeine pills (but don't overdo it !) for long hauls on stand during the rut

On the other side of the coin; Caffeine + Deer stand = Inability to sit still for longer than 20 minutes.

Do not position yourself in the sun, stay in shaded area.

Way early before light isn't always the best time to get to your stand. Stalking in after sun up will often spook less game.

Two: know how to use a compass and always carry one. Never rely on a GPS to work. Where I hunt many times you cannot connect.
This one has held me in good stead for 50 years. With patience possess ye your soul.
Oh one more. Jack O conner wrote this and I have proven it many times. If you are tracking a wounded animal and lose the track follow the general direction of travel to the closest water. I have found bucks several times bedded right next to a creek.

God bless you all, Steve

Toilet paper and waterproof matches will both save your butt.

Hunt with a bud whenever possible. Its safer and very handy when you need to haul that big one out of the woods, set up stands, etc. The older you get the more you will appreciate this. Plus there is just something great about sharing the outdoor experience.

Chickadees, then squirrels, then whitetails show up...    Also, don't be afraid to wander and find trails, set up a quick blind down wind and hunt that spot right away. I've seen most of the bucks I've missed this way...  

Always carry a compass. When you hit a deer, pinpoint the last sound you hear from the running deer and mark it on your compass...BEFORE you leave your stand. If you lose the blood trail you can many times find the deer following the direction of travel with your compass.

Use fletching you can see, it will help determine where you hit. If the hit is bad, back off for several hours. White or chartreuse feathers are good.

We use our eyes and ears in the woods but try using your nose also, it can be useful at times.