Controlling Trigger Happy Hunting

Deer hunting is a recreational pastime that has been around for over a century. It's more of a thrill factor in the same way someone might get from riding a roller coaster, bungee jumping, or sex... among others.

The modern age is where practicing a sense of self-control and common sense are the most important factors. The thrill of the hunt brings about a mixture of different emotions from excitement, anxiety, to a bloated ego that may lead to certain mishaps. One thing to remember is that being a hunter is all about the thrill of hunting that hones and awakens the senses, not incessant killing.

Sometimes, a hunter may have lost a sense of self-control when he makes his first kill. It's exciting and he may make some reckless mistakes that could cause injury or even death. There's nothing funny or even embarrassing about accidentally shooting another hunter just because he's wearing the same color of a buck, along with a hat with antlers.

A few things to remember when it comes to self-control is to be comfortable with not just the surroundings, but with yourself as well. Being patient and knowing a deer's behavior is the key to bringing home that trophy buck. It would be disappointing to have bagged a buck only to find another that's better looking but you only get one per hunter.

Practicing is also a perfect way to retain self-control. Not only does it hone a hunter's rifling skills, but it develops a sense of self-discipline because he or she knows that taking a life of an animal for the first time isn't always that easy. Having second thoughts would prove to be fatal at times, and instead of killing the deer, it might only be injured, thus adding more guilt.

Keeping a sense of the present will help as well. It's not bad to dream about having that prized buck hanging on the wall, but once it's in sight and ready to fire, it's best to keep with the present and just do the task at hand.

And lastly, controlling your nerves can be an integral part of self-control. There's nothing like an itchy trigger finger to cause some serious trouble.

Self-control and a healthy respect for nature are some of the fundamental tasks that a hunter needs to have so that every shot fired will be clean and ethical.

Commando Hunting

Clear weather, warm temperatures and hours without having to suffer from mosquitoes. Though weather may affect a hunter's mood when it comes to hunting, there are times that rainfall or snowy weather may be used as an advantage in off-season hunting.

Taking a look at a deer's anatomy, there are four types that can be fooled, and the last out of sheer luck. A deer's vision can be defeated fairly easily, given the proper attire to naturally blend in with the environment, even in snowy conditions. In some cases, if a hunter were to take a look at Siberian soldiers in their heavy white parkas is a proven fact when it comes to frozen warfare. Some manufacturers have made the best camouflage parkas on the market and are worth the investment in order to move in for the quiet kill.

Rainfall is a little thing that may dampen both hunter and prey, but it doesn't mean it's without its advantages. A hunter's sound may be muffled due to the rainfall, allowing closer access to the buck. In some cases, trying a different tactic would be best suited as well since deer will still live on as deer, but trying to get as comfortable as possible as they move from one place to another. This beats the second sense a deer has in store: hearing.

Winds may either be a godsend for bow hunters or a thorn in their side, but not without its purpose as well. A deer's sense of smell is the hardest part to beat, but given the right wind direction, it may help carry the human scent away from the unsuspecting deer. This tactic pretty much relies on luck, and how far off a hunter is when it comes to approaching the buck. It would also be better if the buck was on the rut, so the chances of attracting the animal closer would result in a successful kill.

As environments have suited the endeavor of animals since the beginning of time, modern tactics derived by the military can also work to the hunter's advantage. Just because a deer's life may be secure when it's in a wooded and foggy area. In fact, it may be the last thing it would ever think of once caught and tagged by surprise. Given to the number of testimonies from experience hunters, the rank amateur can also have the same success given time and patience to land a successful kill.

Building A Stand – Your Personal Deer Hunting Spot In

Building A Stand - Your Personal Deer Hunting Spot In The Wild

A deer stand is definitely a novelty when going deer hunting. Not only does it increase your viewing range, it will also eliminate your presence from any wary buck that comes across your location. Making a stand for deer hunting is easy, and most of the materials you need can be bought at any local hardware shop.

Advantages of having a deer stand

Basically a deer stand is all advantage to a deer hunter. Since the deer's nose is quite sensitive to scent, a deer stand eliminates your smell entirely from the deer's range. Since your presence is no where near the area, the buck can come and go without any sign of alarm.

Another advantage is the visibility of the surrounding area when you go hunting. Since you are perched comfortably up a tree, you can spot a buck from miles away. Just make sure that you have a steady aim and a long range rifle to bring your target down.

Tips in making a deer stand

When planning to make a deer stand, it's always best to check state and locals laws regarding construction on public lands. If you are planning to hunt in a private territory, you better consult the owner of your plan to build a deer stand or you will end up face a trespassing lawsuit.

Next step is to determine the location of the most amount of deer activity in the area. If you plan to make a deer stand, you better make sure that your targets are within the vicinity.

There are two ways to create a deer stand: 1) you can either put up your tree stand high up a tree, or 2) an elevated platform from scratch. The best suggestion is putting up your deer stand in a tree since this is less expensive of the two.

Your deer stand should be made of wood since it will blend in with the surroundings perfectly. If you plan on purchasing deer stands made of metal, you better make sure that you paint it the same color as your surroundings. Since metals tend to glare, it might alert your prey faster than you can take aim and shoot.
When proposing to paint your deer stand for camouflaging purposes, it's better to do it a month or two before the actual hunting season starts. This will eliminate the smell of the paint so not to alert the buck of your presence.

Noise is your worst enemy when deer hunting. Since you are wearing boots and you have wooden floors in your deer stand, you are definitely going to make a lot of noise while in it. You might take some precautions and pad down your deer stand floor with a thick sackcloth or even a carpet if you can afford it.

One thing that we should remember is that we have nature calls. Urinating is a major problem faced by hunters when perched on their deer stands. You can always urinate out your deer stand but you might alert the buck of your scent; urinating IN your deer stand could definitely ruin your scent, so handle the situation as you see fit.

And finally, how are you going to access your deer stand. If you are an avid climber, you need not put steps or ladders to serve as access to your deer stand. Since deer stands are usually on top of trees, ladders are perfect if you plan to get to your perch quickly!

Taking all these tips into consideration will lead to a well-planned well-though out deer stand that will last a long time.

Bringing Down The Buck – Weapons Used In Deer Hunting

Bringing Down The Buck - Weapons Used In Deer Hunting

When going deer hunting, it's best to be equipped with a weapon that suits your taste. Considering that the weapon is an extension of your arm, you have to make sure that the weapon you are carrying is the most comfortable for you. Choosing a weapon because someone told you to won't necessarily lead you down the road of success.

In deer hunting, there is no such thing as a perfect weapon. Each has its own specific strength and weaknesses, and the hunter who knows these will definitely bring down the first deer he comes across.

The Long-Range Rifle

The prominent weapon of choice for every deer hunter in the wild is the ever-famous rifle. Considering its range and firepower, this is by far the most effective weapon in bringing down the strongest of bucks. This is also an ideal weapon for beginners who are on their first try at deer hunting.

The most common distinguishing feature of the rifle is its long-barrel which is attributed to its range. But considering its firepower, it also has a lot of weaknesses that any novice hunter should know about.

One such weakness is its noise level. When using the rifle, it is customary to bring down the buck on the first try; if you miss, the buck will be alerted to the sound emitted by the rifle and you might not get a second chance at it this is the second weakness; reloading. The rifle only allows one bullet at a time, so after the first shot, its takes a lot of time to reload. With these two weaknesses to offset the power and range of the rifle, you have to make sure that the first shot counts.

The Shotgun

A 12-gauge shotgun has no qualms when it comes to reloading since it can hold a total of four rounds before reloading. Its has a lot of firepower but lacks the range to back it up, so you need to get close to your target to make sure that you don't miss. It is also in the same category as the rifle when it comes to the noise level, so you better make sure that the first shot counts, or else you are going to play a game of tag with the buck when you miss.

Do it the old fashion way by using the Bow

This compound bow is definitely not for beginners, and is considered the most difficult weapon to kill a deer. The range and power of the bow is limited and you might need to utilize your surroundings if this is your weapon of choice.

The power of the bow differs with the accuracy of the hunter. Aside from the fact that you have to be quite near to your prey to make sure that you have enough force to embed the arrow in, you have to make sure that you hit the buck at the most critical spot, like the neck, to bring it down.

The range is also limited and most professional hunters resort to climbing trees to get a better shot of the prey. Using a deer call or a rattle to lure out the buck from hiding is practically the best maneuver when using a bow. But you need not worry if you miss the first try since the bow hardly makes a sound when fired, so you are free to take another shot when the buck is rooted on the same spot.

A wise hunter was asked by a novice regarding his weapon of choice for a successful deer hunt. The hunter simply shrugged and said: son, there is no weapon that comes to mind that can hit a buck without a steady hand and a rightful aim from a skilled hunter.

Bow of the Ages

Any deer hunter who wants to start using bows needs a few things that even a rifle user should need: dexterity. But instead on relying on ammunition, the only thing you need to rely on is your strength and keen sense of wind direction.

Bow hunting has been around since the Bronze Age where some of the earlier arrows were made of, well, bronze and other heavy shafts. Of course it's different now thanks to modern compositions such as aluminum and carbon, but there's nothing like the feel of cedar as it flies and hits the target with a clean shot.

Among the best brands for beginners is the PSE Archery brand. This bow has been a favorite for many years with experienced bow hunters. The draw length can be tuned to at least 26 to 30 inches and has a draw weight up to 65 lbs., enough kinetic energy to kill a whitetail deer.

Of course other manufacturers have been competing with what the PSE has started and other brands such as the Alpine Archery have been making some good progress with their bows. The Silverado brand has incorporated some good innovations such as the Upper Velocitec Control Cam for a smoother and quieter draw with minimal recoil.

The key to finding the best bow for the price isn't always the wisest way. One thing to consider as a beginning archer is to know the strengths and limitations. Draw length may vary from one user to another and just because it's heavy doesn't mean it's accurate. To compromise accuracy with power may result in misfires, possibly injuring something else like other hunters in the area. Though PSE understands the mindset of a beginning archer, they often recommend customers to consult with a sporting goods shop in order to test and see which weight, size and draw is needed for the most comfortable bow.

Broadheads for arrows may be common, but a few number of manufacturers have developed a good number of them. Choosing what broadhead to use isn't that hard, as it all depends on the hunter to begin with. As always, consulting with the sporting goods expert would tell you what sort of broadhead that would deliver an efficient and clean kill.

And the last thing needed for the aspiring bow hunter is to practice. Anyone can be a Robin Hood in terms of archery, but even the best has to start somewhere without injuring anyone else because they're too excited.

Better than a Pea Shooter

With millions of hunters across the country, any first time hunter can get millions of mixed reviews when it comes to starting hunting. Of course a cluttered email inbox isn't a pleasure to begin with and it's useless to point out the obvious as to what sort of gun you can use.

Basically speaking, any center fire rifle is considered a deer gun with the proper caliber and grain.

For any experienced hunter, they favor a lever-action Winchester. Powerful and accurate enough to produce a quick, ethical kill as well as loading another round in the chamber. Since most rifles are can compromise loading time once they load a cartridge into the bore, it will take another 3 to 5 seconds before another round can be loaded if a second shot is needed. Of course ever shot counts, despite the fact that most deer hunters will likely need to finish off the deer if it's still fighting to survive.

There are several hunting rifles on the market, mostly made by Winchester, Remington, Ruger and Smith and Wesson that are considered as a hunter's rifle of choice. Several models come with their own design and placement for low-powered scopes in order to increase accuracy.

Although certain hunting States have their own rules when it comes to what sort of caliber is required in order to hunt in that State, sometimes a more universal rifle will be needed if the hunter is planning to visit some, if not all the hunting grounds. In which case, the need to study and know what sort of laws are applicable in case they need to use a different rifle for ever caliber. So instead of rummaging through papers and other links on a State-owned website, just a .308 caliber will be suited for all hunting grounds.

What to choose, what to choose. Anyone would say a handgun is sufficient enough, if the State allows it. But they have to get close enough since most handguns have a distance of about 80 yards and the power needed to kill the deer would be nothing more than a graze. Since rifles are meant for sniping, thus the increased range, it is important to know what sort of rifle will be acceptable with all the rules and regulations in varying locations. So much for the elephant gun.