When does it happen?

[redsquirrel]

Going to add something some may disagree with with...stay away from YouTube videos like Midwest Whitetail, anything owned or sponsored by Realtree or Mossy Oak, anything with Michael Waddell, Lee and Tiffany, Buckmasters, or Buck Commanders, etc. All these type shows happen on unrealistic properties that you likely do not or will not have and you will only learn bad habits and tactics. It has already been said. Focus on guys like The Hunting Public, Jeff Sturgis, Dr. Grant Woods, Ranch Fairy, @catman529 and others on here, and Dan Infault and @John Eberhart (although I think some of their stuff should be reserved for more experienced hunters who understand when, where, and how the tactics work).

I completely agree with everything you said about the hunting shows. Generally I think you need to be careful on youtube now too. There is a lot of good information on there but you really need to be selective about what can help you. I'm seeing a lot of what makes the regular tv shows tough for me to stomach creep into youtube now too. From the information you see on youtube you also need to take what is given and try to apply it to your specific situation. Sure, we're all hunting whitetails, but there are lots of different factors that affect those whitetails depending on where you live. We see it on here all the time, it's almost like different worlds at times when you compare the northeast to the midwest to the south to texas.

 

[Westdesign03]

Going to add something some may disagree with with...stay away from YouTube videos like Midwest Whitetail, anything owned or sponsored by Realtree or Mossy Oak, anything with Michael Waddell, Lee and Tiffany, Buckmasters, or Buck Commanders, etc. All these type shows happen on unrealistic properties that you likely do not or will not have and you will only learn bad habits and tactics. It has already been said. Focus on guys like The Hunting Public, Jeff Sturgis, Dr. Grant Woods, Ranch Fairy, @catman529 and others on here, and Dan Infault and @John Eberhart (although I think some of their stuff should be reserved for more experienced hunters who understand when, where, and how the tactics work).

Yes I would agree, the channels/people that are sponsored are in a totally different world than us normal folks, weekend warriors, etc. I would say you can watch the sponsored guys for the entertainment value and some general tips here and there but do not base your experience and success off of them.

That’s why I like guys like the hunting public. They’re hunting almost as a career but they’re very close to the style of hunting and types of land that the rest of us also have access to. So in theory you can put basically all of what they teach to use for yourself.

I also agree that some of what they teach arguably could be applicable to the advanced hunter, I think also that like anything else, you grow by associating yourself with people that are already better at the thing than you are.


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[redsquirrel]

Part of hunting like others have said is not what you see on TV or YouTube.

Hunting is 99% waiting, scouting, prepping etc. It is that 1% of time when you get up close to animal that make it all worth it. All you can do is give yourself a chance by doing the little things right. Such as scouting, stand placement, scent control, camouflage etc. All these things add up to giving you a chance. I told my son that years ago, I was told by my father that a lot of hunters go a life time without harvesting a deer. Now this as when deer #’s we’re still down and just coming back.

Good luck.


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My grandfather killed 1 deer in his entire life. My father didn't kill his first until he was 30.

It gets said all the time but I don't think a lot of people take it to heart. You can not spend enough time in the woods scouting. Hunting season has a defined start and end date but you can scout 365 days a year. I wouldn't spend every day in the woods on a 120 acre farm, but there are plenty of public lands to roam to learn deer behavior. Around me I start scouting as soon as gun season kicks in. I may hunt those areas during the late season, or may hunt them the next year. I continue to scout as much as I can once the season ends until green up. During the summer when you start to get that itch to get in the woods you don't have to go scout spots that you're going to hunt early season. I love finding new areas to hunt and if I go check out a new area I'm not worried about burning it out. If it looks like a great spot I will probably come back and hunt it that season, but once summer time comes any scouting that I do I'm always thinking towards the future. Any good spots that I find that I decide to hunt that season are just a bonus. Long story short... nothing beats boots on the ground and observing deer to learn how to hunt whitetails. You can do this 365 days a year without a weapon in hand.

 

[Guff Dawg]

I’m new to the saddle hunting game just like you, but just a little older in age. Every bit of advice written here I am going to use and learn from. Seeing as we are in similar circumstances, I can only add one thing to what these men have added. Don’t ever give up, especially on yourself! Always keep fighting for it, whatever that endeavor is. I know you can do it! Finish strong and carry over the momentum to next season. It will be here before you know it

 

[bigjoe]

My grandfather killed 1 deer in his entire life. My father didn't kill his first until he was 30. .....

There are now more deer per square mile now then 100 years ago. The meat markets and Depression decimated the herds and the waterfowl etc. People had to eat, and game was very viable. For hungry families it was a way of life. In some areas of the country it is still like this.

Just enjoy the process of learning it is a life long journey. I was very fortunate growing where I did and the father I had. He was one of those guys that had to shoot meat to put on the table. A lot of the hunting tactics that are being shared on this and other sites for scouting and hunting are nothing new, they were just forgotten tactics. Man has evolved and we as as society are more apt to get our food from the local grocery store. I have a buddy I hunt with who wife tells him to stop by and pick up some filets if he does not get anything. Standing joke, but he will shoot a squirrel to avoid going to the grocery store.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I would say you need to shoot the first legal deer that comes out, every time it comes out, until it stops being fun. Maybe it'll be a doe, maybe a 12 point swamp donkey. Just kill it.

That's going to teach you:

How to get into position for a shot.

How to execute a shot.

How to judge a hit.

How to blood trail.

How to "read" where a downed deer is going.

How to get a deer out of the woods.

How to field dress, quarter, and process your kill.

And so much more. You need blood on your hands. Most hunters need more blood on their hands. You're missing out on a lot of opportunities to learn important lessons by sitting there waiting on a mature buck.

 

[EricS]

but a lot of days in the woods spent without anything to show for it. It’s tough. Just trying to harvest my first deer...

It is tough but if you feel like your spending a lot of days in the woods with nothing to show for it you are doing something wrong.
Either you are doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome, or like others said you are setting the bar too high.
Learn what you can. Scout as much as you can this spring to that next year you can go in and screw something up and still have plenty of places. Kill some deer. Foam targets build form and some confidence but nothing builds confidence like actually killing deer. That’s experience that can’t be substituted and will aid in keeping your head together when a real opportunity at a giant happens.
As far as actually making the shot, practice in your hunting setup. I always open my bow hand and make sure I’m not torquing the bow before even trying to aim. Take your time getting ready to shoot. I want to make it happen now. Especially if a deer gets nervous. Most deer if they get nervous will calm down and go back to what they were doing if they don’t smell you.

 

[Huntertools]

i

Tomorrow will officially end my 3rd season of hunting whitetails. I’m 27... a lot of family members are into it but I got a late start. It’s been three years, hunted hard, learned a lot, and have definitely had opportunities. Just couldn’t close. This year I missed my target buck. Shot high and watched a nice 4.5+ 10 pointer stop and trot off.

Am I the outlier here? I hunt NY so it’s definitely high pressure, but a lot of days in the woods spent without anything to show for it. It’s tough. Just trying to harvest my first deer...

I read your post and remember thinking the same thing when I was about your age. It took me a couple of years to get my first deer. I practiced shooting every day hours on end. Could punch paper all day long. Worked as hard as anyone, hunted every chance I could. Just couldn’t understand why I couldn’t kill. My brother in law it seemed was the luckiest person ever. He always tagged out every year. when I did see deer or had a shot opportunity I would either blow it or miss terribly. After having my first bow kill it got easier and better each time. When it came to connecting on a buck, still no luck. Only after learning how to hunt and stop trying to kill did things change. Everyone gives good advice for what works for them as I could do the same. You will have teach yourself what works for you and your area. A lot of your learning will come from your mistakes. Every hunt has a story and a experience to remember. I am 61 years old and have harvested a lot of deer. Still learning and trying new stuff. Just started saddle hunting this year and killed 5 so far. Can’t see myself going back to stand hunting. I know a lot say practice practice practice but I would suggest experience experience experience. So good luck and happy hunting.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I'll put it in a simple way.

Not killing a deer until you see a mature buck is like a teenager refusing to learn to drive until he can afford a Ferrari.

 

[austin1990]

I would say you need to shoot the first legal deer that comes out, every time it comes out, until it stops being fun. Maybe it'll be a doe, maybe a 12 point swamp donkey. Just kill it.

That's going to teach you:

How to get into position for a shot.

How to execute a shot.

How to judge a hit.

How to blood trail.

How to "read" where a downed deer is going.

How to get a deer out of the woods.

How to field dress, quarter, and process your kill.

And so much more. You need blood on your hands. Most hunters need more blood on their hands. You're missing out on a lot of opportunities to learn important lessons by sitting there waiting on a mature buck.

This reminded me, wasn't it on here over the summer someone made a thread about the number of deer you've killed? I was astonished by the number of people older than me that had killed very few deer. By today's standards I got a late start, I didnt kill my first deer til I was 14, now most 6-7 year olds are killing deer. Ever since then I've shot 2-3 deer a year and can kill up to 6 a year legally.

 

[bigjoe]

I would say you need to shoot the first legal deer that comes out, every time it comes out, until it stops being fun. Maybe it'll be a doe, maybe a 12 point swamp donkey. Just kill it.

That's going to teach you:

How to get into position for a shot.

How to execute a shot.

How to judge a hit.

How to blood trail.

How to "read" where a downed deer is going.

How to get a deer out of the woods.

How to field dress, quarter, and process your kill.

And so much more. You need blood on your hands. Most hunters need more blood on their hands. You're missing out on a lot of opportunities to learn important lessons by sitting there waiting on a mature buck.

There is something said for all of this.

Most hunters I know, do not process their own deer. I may every 2-3 years or so get one processed. However at the tune of over $100.00 to have a deer butchered, the cost of gear, and licenses etc., it all adds up.

Practice with gun or bow until mounting the weapon is instinctive. It should not even be a thought. The weapon should almost become a part of you. Ideally, wait until a deer’s head is behind something to adjust yourself, mount your weapon etc. a deer’s biggest defense is their sense of smell, then ears and eyes. Don’t think because your 20’ or so in a tree a deer cannot pick you off. They can and will. As you adjust yourself do it in increments. Slowly move. When you turn your head, scan with your eyes first, then slowly, slowly move your head. Listen and learn what different animals sound like in the woods. If you do not have squirrels and birds rustling nearby you are moving too much or in a bad spot. Remember, squirrels like nuts ie acorns and so do deer especially late season.

If you are prone to fidgeting, bring a book and read. Read a page or two and slowly look up and scan the area. This passes the time, and keeps your mind active and body still, if nothing else you will be well read.

 

[Nutterbuster]

This reminded me, wasn't it on here over the summer someone made a thread about the number of deer you've killed? I was astonished by the number of people older than me that had killed very few deer. By today's standards I got a late start, I didnt kill my first deer til I was 14, now most 6-7 year olds are killing deer. Ever since then I've shot 2-3 deer a year and can kill up to 6 a year legally.

That thread was an eye-opener in several ways. I know some states have very restrictive bag limits, but it did surprise me how many guys had killed fewer deer than me. I was also impressed with some guys who very rarely give advice, but have killed truckloads of deer! The loudest voice doesn't always come from the most experienced head.

I like Alabama's lenient seasons. You can kill a doe a day, and 3 bucks. That allows you to really get some kills under your belt.

 

[d_rek]

I don’t think you should be overly selective as a new hunter.

This. I know a couple guys holding out for The Big One. Just get a couple kills under your belt first: Does, yearling bucks, whatever. Just kill something so you can experience what it's like to kill your first large mammal and the rush of emotion and work post kill that comes with it.

 

[Westdesign03]

This reminded me, wasn't it on here over the summer someone made a thread about the number of deer you've killed? I was astonished by the number of people older than me that had killed very few deer. By today's standards I got a late start, I didnt kill my first deer til I was 14, now most 6-7 year olds are killing deer. Ever since then I've shot 2-3 deer a year and can kill up to 6 a year legally.

If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t kill my first deer until I was 31.


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[Red Beard]

Totally solid advice from folks who know. Practice, scout, scout, scout. I'll offer one other tidbit though.

Buy a 3D target and practice as much as you can from now until March (read: completely shoot the insert out). Then, limit yourself to one shot per day for the rest of the summer. That's one... ein… solamente uno… echad… ONE. Doesn't matter whether you do it in the morning or in the afternoon, but you should begin conditioning yourself to the reality that we very rarely get the opportunity to send a second arrow downrange. Shooting one arrow a day is a guaranteed way to slow your shot process down. It will force you to think about each shot prior to, during, and after execution. I'll argue that it also induces the right amount of stress your mind is likely to experience during the moment of truth on a real deer.

And I promise that it will become something you look forward to, much like hunting.

 

[austin1990]

If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t kill my first deer until I was 31.


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[Westdesign03]

View attachment 22654

Yes lol. I know it’s terrible. Dad only entertained hunting when I was little. Which was a handful of times going out and randomly sitting in random spots of the woods. No skill or scouting or anything like that involved. Then didn’t pick up hunting again until I was an adult.


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[Guff Dawg]

I'll put it in a simple way.

Not killing a deer until you see a mature buck is like a teenager refusing to learn to drive until he can afford a Ferrari.

This speaks volumes, great way to put it into perspective

 

[Guff Dawg]

If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t kill my first deer until I was 31.


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Same boat, I was 37

 

[Westdesign03]

I'll put it in a simple way.

Not killing a deer until you see a mature buck is like a teenager refusing to learn to drive until he can afford a Ferrari.

Totally true! Never thought of it that way. Good analogy!


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