Preparing For Your Very First Deer Hunting Adventure? Make It A Success With These Tips

With the arrival of autumn comes deer season, a time-honored tradition in many areas of the country. For many, the annual deer hunting season provides a vacation from work as families and friends get together to enjoy nature and togetherness. If you are a beginning deer hunter who yearns to make the deer hunting culture your own, the following tips will help you become more proficient in the woods and increase your chances at getting your very own buck.

Learn the Lay of the Land

One of the biggest mistakes made by new hunters is waiting to explore the hunting area until the opening morning of deer season. Instead, secure a hunting area several months before the season and begin spending time there as often as possible before the season begins.

Doing this will allow you to watch for signs of deer activity, such as excrement, tracks or deer rubs and scrapes. It will also help you increase your chances of success by focusing on these familiar areas when the season begins. In addition, you will be able to learn about the property's boundaries, roads, paths, and waterways, which will also help you during the actual hunt.

Get Intimately Acquainted With Your Weapon

Just as you should spend time exploring the property where you will be hunting, you should also spend time becoming intimately familiar with the gun or bow you will be using. Learn to assemble, disassemble, load and unload the weapon and practice until you can do so easily, even in low-light conditions.

Then find a safe place to hone your shooting skills, such as a local gun range. Becoming proficient with your weapon will help to ensure that your gun works properly when it is time to take aim at that big buck and will also help to ensure that your shot is humane and kills the deer quickly, with minimal suffering.

Find a Willing Mentor

Another resource that can help novice deer hunters become seasoned professionals is the advice of a willing, experienced mentor. Good mentors can often be found by contacting friends or family members who enjoy hunting or by talking to local landowners and conservation agents in the area who may be able to refer you to someone who might be available to serve as a mentor a new hunter. If you cannot find an individual mentor, consider joining a local hunting club and spending time learning from the other members. 


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