What puts deer in bow range?

[KentuckyTJ]

On our farm it is definitely fences as funnels. Fences have corners and strategically places holes in them and low spots over them.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by pavan:
All of the above, I do not agree with changing the natural environment too much, so no artificial funnels or feeders. However, there was this one pipe tobacco I used to smoke. I do not understand it, but it was based on a tobacco called deer tongue, I believe it was named that because of how it looked, not that deer would eat it, every time I would light up I would get a deer in my lap. Never shoot a bow with a pipe in your mouth, as my brother found, your teeth and the pipe will fly farther than the arrow.

[Terry Green]

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

I didn't read any other responses...but my answer is....

ME!!!

[dougedwards]

For me it is not an intellectual decision.  I let my instincts dictate my procedure.  When I have tried to apply strict guidelines to my hunting process in the past I always end up violating it in some way.

I have let many deer that were within 10 yards go because something did not feel right.  Some have been directly under my stand. Another time I took a very nice buck at 42 yds with a compound bow (years ago when that was an option for me).  My instincts usually do not fail me.

Doug

[Jake Scott]

Jon, cool point about making your entry to your stands more quiet and less invasive.  Great point!!  I have never thought about that before.

Jake

[GreyGoose]

I understand a couple of the comments above concerning putting the food OUT for deer, and younger hunters who've never done it any other way. I like trying to hunt based on existing food sources - mast, corn and bean fields, etc.  But I know a lot of hunters who have limited territory to hunt and shoot, and I can't blame them for placing and planting food to get the deer there.

[MnFn]

Jon is right.  Last year I walked in to 90 acre thicket as quiet as I possibly could.  I had previously hung as stand a few yards in the woods.

From their actions, it was obvious a doe and fawn had seen me approach the stand area.  They kept looking for me the entire time they were in the alfalfa.

Gary

[Tajue17]

snoring works for alot of people

[Blaino]

QUOTE]I didn't read any other responses...but my answer is....

ME!!! [/QB][/QUOTE]

That's very simple and to the point.  I like it! I am the only thing that I can control.  All the other variable are out of my hands and I have to adjust to them....

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by GreyGoose:
I understand a couple of the comments above concerning putting the food OUT for deer, and younger hunters who've never done it any other way. I like trying to hunt based on existing food sources - mast, corn and bean fields, etc.  But I know a lot of hunters who have limited territory to hunt and shoot, and I can't blame them for placing and planting food to get the deer there.

GreyGoose,
I agree with you 100%.  If it is legal and your neighbors have bait out, why wouldn't you do it to attempt to keep your deer on your land?  

In Mississippi, you can bait, but not in sight(from my understanding, so correct me if i'm wrong) of from your stand.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

Nothing trumps having the wind in your favor. What is so often overlooked is the scent that you leave. I always assume I get busted 5 to 1 by a deer crossing my track. Especially a cagey ole Buck passing through later at night. Access is key.

My style of hunting has evolved over the last few years. I am an unapologetic trophy hunter and that dictates a lot of what I do.

Basically, hunt often, usually a different spot each day unless during the rut. Paying attention to access and often crossing water at some point.

I am always on the lookout for areas that most hunters would not find interesting. One of the great advantages of ground hunting. If there is no tree you eliminate 90% of other hunters.

Here in Western Ky during the early season deer can be anywhere. With so much vegetation and crops in the field the only constant is water.

I probably pay less attention to food source than most. I really want to know where they bed and take it from there. Not a big fan of baiting. My generation started out small game hunting. Today the kids start out in a pop up blind. That cant be
good for our hunting heritage.

[hvyhitter]

Scouting an area and being in the right place at the right time. Its part of the challenge and allure of bowhunting............

[7 Lakes]

Simple answer to a difficult task.
Get between the deer and their food or between the deer and their bed while keeping the breeze blowing from the deer to you.  Like I said, simple but difficult.

[buckeye_hunter]

Lack of hunter movement and correct wind.

If you have those 2 things right, you can nearly wear neon and it won't matter.

[DennyK]

Prior to the season-your absence, get your trimming and work done earlier in the year and then stay away.

[eflanders]

Hunting Pressure:  Obviously different types of land (public vs. private) require different tactics IN ADDITION TO the critical "stealth" factors of wind, scent, movement / concealment.  When limited to a small parcel of private land, it is hard to not hunt different stand locations and if your neighbors are baiting, that can really change the normal movement patterns. If they are baiting, note the revised travel corridor the deer take to the bait and meet the deer there.  On public land, it is quite hard to locate good spots that other hunters aren't using.  Sometimes in these areas it's best to let the others work the deer towards you and this includes vehicle traffic.  Small tight pockets can hold an amazing amount of deer when they think they are safe there.

[Doug_K]

Hunting the wind is a good starting point, but I wouldn't take it as the absolute rule. I've often killed deer downwind, and in atleast one case was the sole reason I got a shot on a nice buck. Grunted him in from 5-600  yards

[trubltrubl]

just my opinion

wind most important
movement of hunter next
then blending in

picking the right time to shoot when they are in bow range

I don't believe in baiting deer....you can be successful without it and it makes you a better skilled hunter
baiting is illegal in Alberta except black bears

[Roger Norris]

Woodsmanship

[RickE]

Location, location, location!!  Whether stalking or stand hunting it's all about 'the spot'.  Which of course is dependent upon woodsmanship and the guy doing the stalking/scouting/hunting and their ability to realize a perfect situation and capitalize.  

All that said, I can tell you that bait in this part of the world for whitetails almost trumps everything I just wrote.  Ya, ya you still have to find a big one and pick a good location, but almost all the big bucks taken these days here are being shot over bait from what I can tell.  

Don't believe me, then just watch a few online episodes of Jim Shockey, or Canadian Whitetail Television or LIve2Hunt and you'll see what I mean.  These guys are all shooting some huge whitetails here, and they are almost all shot over bait......maybe it's for ease of filming but I doubt it.  They do it because it works.....really well.    

I've never shot one over bait but I am fully aware of how well it works and I don't underestimate it's effect on success.  Good hunting, Rick.