New to deer hunting

[moto]

I have never been deer hunting until this year. I have been doing some reading but still have no clue what to get me started. I am going to be bow hunting and have my bow setup already to go. So not sure what to do for calls, scents and scent eliminators. There are some many different kinds not sure I need them or what to get. Just want to get some stuff to get started any help would be good.

Also will be hunting from the ground. The state I will be in is mass. Thanks for any help!

[Jaypo]

Welcome to the club, Moto. The main thing you need to remember about bowhunting, especially from the ground, is that you have to be entirely scentless. So I would suggest buying the following, and I am basing this off of scientific tests: Either Primos Silver XP or Hunters' Specialties Scent A Way clothing wash and scent eliminating spray. Those both tested the best in the field. I also have a recipe for a homemade blend that tested almost as good, and it tested better than Scent Killer and Dead Down Wind. Wash your clothes with the clothing wash and hang dry them away from any kind of fragrant scents- preferably outside. Then store them in a scent free container (I recently found some XXL ziploc bags that hold 20 gallons at Target. I put my clothes in it and put it in a large rubbermade container). Also buy some type of soap and shampoo. (I use Scent A Way green soap).

On the day of the hunt, bath with the soap to eliminate your scent. If you can, wait until you get into the woods to take your clothes out of the bag and dress. Then, spray you and all of your gear down with the scent eliminating spray, especially your legs and boots. (If you can, wear rubber boots- they leave the least scent on whatever they touch). I usually spray some cover scent (doe or coon urine) under my boots. Be careful to get to your spot without making any noise, set yourself up, and wait. Try not to move as little as possible, because you will be eye level with the deer, and they can spot movement pretty easily. Also, hunt from a spot that is downwind of where the deer will be coming from. You want the wind blowing in your face.

Another tip- get a good set of baselayer clothing- I use "XStatic" from Cabelas. That prevents "human stink" right off the bat by using silver ions in the fibers of the clothes. Also, if you can, get some kind of scent eliminating clothing- carbon types such as Scent Lok or Scent Blocker. Or the new kind from HS- Tech 4.

When you finally get the chance to shoot, make sure, and this is the most important thing, make sure that you are taking a shot that you are 100% confident that you can make. You want to make sure he is in your comfortable range where you can place the shot perfectly, because even with a good shot, you will have to track the deer. And if you make a poor shot, the chances of you finding the deer are pretty slim. And believe me, there is no worse feeling as a hunter than to make a shot and not find the deer. Just knowing that the deer is suffering and you will not find him is gut wrenching.

So to summarize, eliminate all of your scent. Get into and out of your spot with as little disturbance to the surroundings as possible. If you shoot, make sure it is a shot from a distance that you practice a lot. And try to play the wind.

It sounds like a lot, but when you get into it, it becomes like second nature. It is a lot of work, but it is more of an accomplishment to be able to get within 20 yards from a deer and taking- basically outsmarting an animal! I hope this helps.

[DouglasSpear]

Welcome Moto. All good tips posted above. I won't go into detail, but here is a good list of keys to successful deer hunting:

1. Scent cover or elimination (great tips mentioned in post above)
2. Shoot your bow from different heights, angles, and distances (practice, practice, practice)
3. Hunt the pinch points (trails, creeks, fencelines, where terrains meet and deer feel safe in cover)
4. Let the wind decide where you hunt (wind in the face blowing your scent away from deer)
5. Deer management (scouting in off-season, field cameras, food sources, learn the deer you are hunting)
6. Have fun and be safe

If you have specific questions about gear or tactics just post it and we will be sure to help

[moto]

Thanks guys they are some good tips and should get me started. So it seem the name of the game is to be scent free as possible. Should I bother with calls?

[Jaypo]

If you do use calls, be sure that you get very comfortable with them. Watch a lot of videos to find out the right way and sounds to call. Because sometimes, being overaggressive or incorrect with calling can actually run the animals off.

[DouglasSpear]

Calls are good, but I find them to be most effective the few weeks leading up to and through the rut. I like to rattle and snort wheeze more than using grunt/bleat calls simply because it's harder to screw up in my opinion, but I still use them all.

Rattling when you hunt from the ground is easy because you can kick leaves and step on sticks to make them crackle while crashing the antlers together making it seem like a more realistic duel between bucks rather than just rattling but with no ground noise. There are tricks to do this from a tree stand as well, like tying a stick to a rope or twine from your stand and pulling it up and down letting it drag over the leaves or other sticks (this is easier to do with a rattle bag since you can use that against your leg giving you a free hand to pull the rope). What I really like to do is give a good look around before you start to make sure something isn't already really close because you will likely just scare it off. Next I do a loud snort wheeze and wait about 20 seconds. Then I start making the ground noise, followed up with a 30-45 second rattle session. Then near the end of the rattle session, I slow it down with less violence, and then do 4 good deep grunts (2 short - 1 long - 1 short). The short grunts are just long enough to sound like a little burp and the long one I do for maybe a full second. I like waiting at least an hour or 2 before repeating, just depends on the activity of the deer.

During the rut I will use some doe estrus scent on a few hanging wafers that I put out on surrounding branches (makes for good distance measurements too), then I do a few 2 or 3 second long bleats to simulate a doe in heat. A nice kicker after this will be to do a few grunts and then rustle the leaves a little with your ground noise stick (or your foot if you are on the ground) and if a dominant buck is in the area, he wil surely come in knowing that some little punk buck is trying to steal his hot doe.

[moto]

Thanks for the replys. It is all good info and should get me started.

Happy hunting.

[Tenpoint]

Have fun and enjoy your time in the woods. Huntng skill comes with experience. So the more you can get out hunting, scouting and practicing shooting, the more sucessful you will be.

Cheers,
Tenpoint