Hi everybody. I haven't posted anything in this area because I have'nt hunted before this year. I was just granted the privlege of hunting in an area of hardwood creek bottom forest that has good farmground surronding it. I have several questions if y'all don't mind. Can some of you tell me some of your spot and stalk stories on whitetail and offer whatever tips you can to help me on my way. I understand the part about hunting into the wind. I also understand changing your walking candence to be less man like when moving through leafy areas that are noisy. Wht else can you guys add that will help. Another side note is at this point he (landowner) does'nt want me to take any bucks( saving those for his bro inlaw) so what can you suggest to help my chances on a doe since they don't usually repsond as well to rattles and grunts? Danny

Heres a story of a buck I stalked up on last year. A lot of luck haha


 story

make sure to see them before they see you.....

My advice is move SLOWLY!

When you are in an area with good sign, take a step and look for about 10 seconds before another step, try to make as little noise as possible and avoid heavy footfalls as vibration through the ground is as bad as noise.

If you are in an area that feels good trust your instincts you won't always see the deer right away, but it may be there.

Good luck.

Great story SouthMD. Hope to have one of my own some day.
thanks for the advise fellas.

Any one else?

sit down!

Danny, I agree with Clay

When you make a slow "scouting" stalk through your area, note any major trails through the creek bottom, and then look for blowdowns next to the trail.  You should be able to find a couple of suitable places to set up an ambush, according to wind direction, which will dictate which spot you'll hunt on a given day.

On the doe thing, I have had limited success with fawn bleat calls;  I've had does come in occassionally, never a buck.  If I decide to blow on the thing, I usually try around midday, so as not to stir up the area around "prime time"

Good luck!

One little tip, carry and learn to use a turkey diaphram call.

For deer?  Your probably think I'm funnin' ya but read on.

Anyway, the idea is cover noise.  Kinda like cover scent or a confidence call.  In 99% of the situatuations where you attempt to move quietly in the woods you will find it impossible to do so EVERY wtep.  So you're gonna rustle some leaves and crack a few twigs underfoot in the best of situations.  There will also be times when ya can't pussy foot around and need to move a little faster than the snails pace of one step every half miute or so.

What to do?  Simply try to sound like something normal in the woods that is not a threat to the animal you are hunting.  In this case a turkey.  Deer and turkey go together like peanut butter and jelly anyway.  I think they have a sort of symbiotic (sp?) relationship.  Turkeys have great eyesight and zero curiosity and deer can smell danger from far away.  Put the two together in a group and there's no way you can sneak up on them.

When you are still hunting, especially if you are moving faster in an effort to get to the area you actully plan to hunt, walk at the cadence of a turkey and let out a few quiet yelps and purrs to cover your sound.  Of course, it a deer sees or smells you, it's all for nothing so you still have to play the wind and try to see them before they see you.  And honestly, the absolute hardest part of trying to stalk up on a deer is slowing down at the right time and maintaining concentration long enough that you manage to see the deer first.  It will flat wear you out mentally and physically.

In the end, I agree with Fatman and Clay.  Stalk/scout into the area you want to hunt then find a place to sit.  Spend lots more time sitting than moving.  If you get lucky and see a deer before it sees you, make a stalk or stay put based on the situation but if you think you were moving slow already, you are probably still going too fast.

when you think you are finally moving slow enough....SLOW DOWN EVEN MORE....and use terrain features such as creek bottoms and swales to get from one place to another without sillouetting yourself.

A good pair of binos are essential to still hunting.  And not just to look cool draped around your neck. Use them.  

Killing white-tailed deer on the ground with a bow is one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges in hunting.

Have fun and good luck,

Trap

Trap nailed it! And think of 'S': Shape, Silhuette, Slow, Sound and Smell.
For binos I use 6x32 they gather lots of light and help me to discover fur amongst the bushes!

Hey Dave, I forgot about the turkey call thing.

A few years ago I was slipping through a creek bottom in MS when some wood ducks flushed from the creek ahead of me.  The ducks spooked a couple of does I didn't even know were there.  I happened to have a diaphram in my mouth so I yelped a few times.  The deer stoped and turned around to take their original path right past me.  Couldn't get a shot, but it was cool just to see how those deer reacted.  

ch

Sidewinder, one thing to look out for is anything that can resemble a deer, and I mean anything!  What I mean is when walking look for an ear, leg, tail, mussle, anything that might possibly resemble a deer.  This takes moving slow and taking in all of your surroundings.  I've almost walked directly on top of an animal without knowing it was there.  This of course taught me patience is a virtue and walking can take all day!

Imitating a turkey is a good tip.

Stalking can be easier with the right weather.
Wet leaves after a rain or soft snow are clearly much easier... but deer can also move silently.

Heavy winds (you might know about that in Kansas) can mask your movement, scent, and sound extermely well.  I've nearly walked into deer on very windy days when I wasn't even trying.  I've also used a windy cornfield to take a nice doe.  

Another trick you might use in Kansas, if you hunt near an area with cattle, you may be able to get away with more noise as the they can be fooled into thinking you're just a cow crunching leaves.

My best opportunities come when I only move into the general area of deer that I've spotted and wait.  Given enough time, they often will meander around your way or more will show up to join them.  Also when stalking and making a bit too much noise, on a few occasions I've had a doe protecting her fawns move in REAL close to figure out if I'm a threat.  Be ready.

Danny, I've sent you an email. Hope it helps. Stalking is the apex of bowhunting.

Ed
TGMM Family of the Bow

As long as you don't need alot of meat....

"One little tip, carry and learn to use a turkey diaphram call.

For deer? Your probably think I'm funnin' ya but read on."

This may be some of the best advice you ever get. The combination of the turkey call and a squirrel call has worked for me many times with Blackpowder and several with deer. I like to use them when I spook something getting to my stand as well.


That said, when I have access to a good hardwood creek bottom surrounded by cropland, I find a funnel, crossing, or corner and setup a stand or blind.

Thats all real good stuff boys I appreciate it. I especially like the diaphram call trick. Thanks Dave, I may try it and who knows scare up some turkeys in the process.

Thanks for the email Ed.

Biggie...I don't right now but if things keep going the way the are in this country that could change in a hurry.

I'll take it all to heart and let y'all know how it turns out by seasons end.  Danny

disregard this post I am trying to set up email notification on responses.