What puts deer in bow range?

YORNOC · September 07, 2014, 12:29:00 PM

Picking the right spot to set up

Marshallrobinson · September 07, 2014, 01:02:00 PM

I hunt traverse trails along and across water. Usually between bedding and food insures that they will be there daily. I just set up on these and wait.

Bonebuster · September 07, 2014, 01:04:00 PM

Confidence to stay put in the chosen spot.

GreyGoose · September 07, 2014, 01:08:00 PM

Wind, patience, and food.

kat · September 07, 2014, 01:52:00 PM

Doing your homework.
Scouting, patterns, and most importantly, hunt the sign. If they aren't there, you are just sitting in the woods.

Sam McMichael · September 07, 2014, 02:00:00 PM

You have to be where the deer wants to go! Then wind direction, sound, stealth and all that other stuff comes into play. Otherwise, it's just a pleasant day in the woods.

MnFn · September 07, 2014, 02:13:00 PM

Wind is number one, then movement in my opinion.
Still plan on talking with you Rob , when I get a chance.

black velvet · September 07, 2014, 02:46:00 PM

Wind, Scouting, Working to make things come together and then you will get close and make your luck. And that's when your friends will call you a lucky hunter, Season after season

jonsimoneau · September 07, 2014, 04:17:00 PM

Aside from picking the right tree, I'm becoming more convinced that access to the tree is the most important. I think more deer are alerted during entry and exit than anything else. Think about this: outside of the rut, your stand is going to need to be 100 yards or less of bedded deer if you are going to see them, let alone get a shot. Getting to a stand that involves walking a hundred yards trough thick crunchy leaves in open timber is going to be nearly impossible. This spring/summer I spent a lot more time trying to improve the access to my better stands. Even going as far as what Uncle Gene and Barry do which includes raking out footsteps in the leaves leading to the base of the tree. I'm also not into trying to worm my way through extremely thick/noisy cover to get to a tree. Trimming out a path in the summer may seem like a lot of extra work but it makes it so much easier to get in and out when season starts.

Scott E · September 07, 2014, 04:46:00 PM

I'm a big believer in not over hunting a spot and having as little impact as possible. Learning to sit still for long periods is another big one that took me a long time to learn.

LB_hntr · September 07, 2014, 06:55:00 PM

I think the better way to put it is that you don't get deer to come into bow range but rather get in bow range of where the are gonna be.
Excellent advise above.
Its not really complicated but not easy or ever a for sure thing.
Find point a, then find point b, then when the wind is right hunt the best route between point a and b.
That is the basic starting method. From there wisdom, experience, and woodsmanship will help fine tune those decisions.
Baiting will fill tags but teach absolutely nothing and in no way benefit you as a hunter. I'm not saying its wrong, or that anything is bad about it. But it will teach you nothing. Then when u hunt places that don't allow baiting you will not have the skills to put all the pieces of the puzzel together. And if you teach future generations to hunt and are hunting bait you teach them nothing.
Here in Michigan 90% of hunters bait. Its all fine and good but a couple years ago when baiting was banned for a couple years the hunting world was in a panic saying " no baiting...how will we see a deer". Lot of people that don't bait here killed just as many deer as they normally do those years.
Baiting is legal, understandable with today's hectic and give it to me now world. But if you are interested in becoming the best hunter you can and develop woodsmanship skills I'd recommend enjoying the learning curve, occasional tag soup, and doing it without bait.

The Ole' Bowhunter · September 07, 2014, 06:58:00 PM

Like nineworlds9 said...you've got to play the wind to get deer within bow range however, you also have to keep your movements to a very minimum otherwise deer will pick-up on your movements and shy away from your location no mattef how well you are using the wind to your advantage.

darin putman · September 07, 2014, 08:31:00 PM

Keep your presence a secret, if they know your there, they won't be. We have to fool not only their senses, but also their instincts both natural and those taught by us the hunter. I am thoroughly convinced that the only way to do this is to hunt, live and learn. How we choose to bring them in or to keep our presence a secret is what will define and set us apart from others as hunters.

September 07, 2014, 08:37:00 PM

its all in the timing....you gotta be there when they are.

Slasher · September 07, 2014, 10:00:00 PM

It is so complicated... So many variables...
First forget anything marketing has taught you...
Magazines are marketing tools, tv shows are marketing tools, video's are marketing tools...
Forget all the product placement,,,,

Next THINK!!! hunt where the deer want to be at any time...know why they want to be there... when they are going to be there...

Stack the deck in your favor...
-Use the wind
-use the terrain...
-use light (stay in the shadows~and out of the sun)
-be as still as possible
-be as scent free as possible
- scout 4x as much as you hunt(preferably in the off season)
-hunt food sources early in the season (and late season in harsh
climates)
-Become a student of the whitetail and it's environment...

IN SHORT

I just read as many Gene Wensel books as I can...Then I ask myself, "where would Gene set-up on these deer?"He is the least pushy guy, that knows how to hunt deer and isn't trying to sell me anything, besides the book that I am reading... He has changed his opinions over the years on a few things... but so have I... I respect that... He predominately writes about trophy hunting...but it applies to deer hunting...

Wether you are looking to bag a monster or more meat for the freezer... you would do well to read any of Gene's books.. I read them every fall... and continue to better understand whitetail deer....

Stumpkiller · September 07, 2014, 10:07:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Rob W.:
What is the single most contributing factor or at least your top few for getting deer in bow range?

If you are moving - keeping the wind from giving you away and moving slowly.

If you are on stand - having placed your stand where the deer are at the time of day you will be waiting.

RedShaft · September 07, 2014, 10:28:00 PM

Try to hunt private land with unpressurized deer and you chances will increase dramatically!

If not.. Hunt the hottest sign/food sorce. And keep moving and staying on hot sign all season.

During the rut. Hunting all day and sitting funnel areas.

jonsimoneau · September 07, 2014, 11:04:00 PM

The magazines/books are certainly something to consider. Realize that some is good information, but some is written to simply sell articles. Even the good information will do no good if you do not devote the time to applying to your unique area...and I believe that while whitetails are whitetails wherever they live....each area is unique. Use the books and magazines as a starting point...but from there use your brain.
I try to scout as much as I can, but I still feel it is not enough. Think about it. The deer live there 24/7. They know their home turf better than you ever will. But the more you know about it the better off you will be. The most important thing about trying to put deer in front of you is to remember that it SHOULD be fun. Good luck guys!

Scott E · September 08, 2014, 09:53:00 AM

Oh and never stop scouting. Deer patterns change as their food sources/ pressure change.

gringol · September 08, 2014, 10:14:00 AM

Time.

Little time in the woods means few deer will be seen, little will be learned, and few deer if any will be taken. You've got to put the work in.