Hunters

[Okie Boarder]

Went out for the first time with a friend and my boys last weekend to hunt some dove. We're going out a couple times this weekend to do some more hunting, just the boys and I. This weekend is youth deer gun season and turkey is also open for them, along with dove, rabbit, etc. For those of you with a fair amount of experience, anything you would throw out there as advice? I didn't hunt with Dad, so this is new to me. I have a few friends that have passed along good info, but just wanted to throw it out there to see if there are any pointers other experienced hunters would like to offer up. We are hunting on a public land area that surrounds a lake with lots of woods and a variety of different features (wooded, open, partially wooded, water, etc.)

[Chad H]

Teach them good sportsmanship and to be conservationists. I was taught this way, but as I grew up I met a lot of people who got more competitive over talking about how much they killed etc. Quality over quantity.

[Okie Boarder]

Definitely, that's one of the top goals.

[pet575]

+1 on that. Also teach them as much as you can about gun safety. Teach them how to break it down and clean it so that they understand everything about it instead of "when I pull the trigger it goes BOOM." I'm sure you're already doing that, but just in case....

[jryoung]

Hopefully they have gone through Hunters Ed and have those basics down.

There are many things to learn outside of actual hunting that they may be interested in such as learning about key conservationists such as Teddy Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold, and Gifford Pinchot. Also understanding how sportsman stepped up in dire times and passed the Pittman-Robertson Act (Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration of 1937) and Dingell-Johnson (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act 1950) and how those bills dovetail with current conservation efforts and groups such as Ducks Unlimited, The Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Foundation.

As far as actual hunting there are unlimited things to learn, but it’s best to start with your understanding your quarry.

Deer will be most active in the morning and evening moving between their bedding areas, food source and water. I’m guessing you are hunting whitetail, they can be more “patternable” than mule deer or blacktail, but they are by far the most wily of the species. If you can scout an area (in person and via google earth) try and find where they will eat, and where they will drink. From there leverage where they will bed. It will be an area that they feel safe either because of thick cover, and or several escape routes (fingered ridges). Once you can get a good sense of these area you can try and find their routes of travel and try and ambush them.

You also need to consider your technique for hunting, whether it is spot and stalk, still hunting or blind/treestand. My guess is still hunting is most likely what you will be doing. Still hunting is simply moving throughout the woods at a very slow pace while stopping intermittently and observing what is going on in the woods. This can be hard with young hunters. My pace tends to be about a step every 2-3 seconds and I pause about every 5 minutes. There is a really cool book written about still hunting from the late 19th century, Teddy Roosevelt had mentioned it as an influence for him. I read it a couple of years ago, a pretty cool (if not slow) read.

http://www.amazon.com/Still-Hunter-Classics-American-Sport-Theodore/dp/0811730042

One thing about hunting ungulates is that you can fool their eyes and ears but you can’t fool their nose. When hunting the woods you need to be mindful of the wind and where your scent is going. If your scent is blowing in your path you are pretty much hosed.

http://www.basspro.com/Hunters-Specialties-Windicator-Super-Fine-Odorless-Powder/product/9633/

I’m guessing it is well before the rut in your area, but when it kicks in bucks will be far more mobile as they are out looking for ladies.

[NKCrider]

wear something blaze orange ESPECIALLY on public land. people out there are dumb as hell. i got shot at on public land even wearing an orange hat

[TnR6Rida]

Safety safety safety!

[jgriffith]

I think Dick Chaney has a book about hunter safety

[Okie Boarder]

Thanks everyone. We do have a couple good potential spots where animals, especially deer, would walk through. We plan to set our blind there Saturday mid day and that will be our primary hunting method for deer or turkey. We've already been working with the boys shooting, following proper gun safety, etc. We will definitely have on lots of orange.

[jryoung]

[vette74]

Look for game trails, rubs and scrapes then hunt those. If it is public land then people are going to hunt where it is easy for them to access. You need to get away from those people. Go really deep in the woods and/or find a more secluded access. If you are allowed to use bait use it corn works great I used over 7 tons last year to feed deer.

[fish6942]

[vette74]

[TnR6Rida]

Okie Boarder, Set up down wind. Wash your clothes you will be wearing in scent free detergents. Some people put their closthes in a bag with stick and leaves to help cover your scent. Covering your scent is pretty important deer hunting, especially for the bigger mature bucks.

[Bowen]

ProTip:

Pack a couple sets of surgical gloves for field dressing, I've never cared about getting dirty, but cleaning all the blood/guts off your hands can be a hassle out in the sticks. Also, bring a bit of toilet paper with you, it serves double duty for taking dumps and marking a blood trail incase your deer doesn't drop right away.

[TnR6Rida]

Bowen, Toilet paper can be priceless out in the field.

[TnR6Rida]

Okie Boarder, If you ever get in to duck hunting holler at me and I can help you a ton more than with deer and turkey.

[NKCrider]

[pyrocasto]

I'm one of the few lucky ones with access to private land in WV to hunt on. We have feeders up but it's not as simple as "baiting and shooting". The feeders work good at fattening up while attracting deer. We feed for 3-4 months before season to let them know it's a reliable food site. Now are you pretty much guaranteed to see something? Most likely. Doesnt mean it's gonna be worth while, and especially doesnt mean a decent buck. It's absolutely amazing how cautious the larger older bucks are and they spook like no freaking other. He's found their scent is so keen if he uses pine scent in a all hardwood area they will spook. My brother uses cameras to track the deer movement and times all through the year to see what comes through, where, and when. It really is a lot of work and fun.

As for hunting bird though, I've never done it but always wanted too. Seems like it would be more exciting as you're going for more smaller targets instead of 1 large one. Gotta find a friend that dove/duck hunts around here.

[finkle]

I feel lucky to say that I grew up hunting and continue to do so every year. Some thoughts that come to mind:

1. YOU and your kids should take a hunter's safety. It's very important that they know the proper techniques for safely handling weapons. It's just as important that you know the rules and techniques so you can reinforce them to your kids.

2. Hunting is THE most expensive "sport", activity, or hobby you can get involved in (second only to racing). Weapons, personal gear, field gear, land access (leasing land), fuel, and time can all add up to big $$$$$.

3. There are so many different types of game and how to hunt that you may want to start with one or two species a year and grow from there. For example, big game such as deer typically requires a high-powered rifle, hunter orange, temp related jacket/coat, pants, socks, and MOST IMPORTANTLY BOOTS (I'll get to this). If you're outfitted to hunt deer, you're likely geared up to hunt other large big game such as elk, moose, bear, big horn sheep, antelope, etc.

4. Graduating to other game, like turkey, will require more investment into personal gear as well as field gear. Turkeys see color so you are all camoed up. Some people have different apparel for different hunting. In college, I saw friends wear pretty much the same get up all the time. During spring turkey hunting, the weather can change wildly. You can be in snow, rain, and beautiful 75+ degree days. It's important to be outfitted to handle the different elements. You'll need a shotgun, calls, decoys, maybe a blind, a vest or pack, and camo head to toe.

5. Get great boots! I can’t stress this enough. I don’t care if you’re playing hockey, running, skiing/snowboarding, wakeboarding, or hunting, having good footwear is key. Think about walking miles in tall grass or sitting still in a tree stand. Rather than getting lace up boots that are only waterproof to a few inches above your ankle, I’d recommend a rubber boot that goes halfway up the calf if you’re going to have 1 set of boots. They’re incredibly comfortable and waterproof up high.

6. Know your state’s laws on limits, season dates, and shooting times. Know what you’re hunting for! Deer are obvious up close, but as the sun sets, you might find it difficult to discern between a doe and spike buck. IMO, taking small bucks is poor management. Know the difference between a Tom, Jake, and Hen and when you can shoot which. If you’re waterfowling, small ducks can be difficult to see their colors. However, you’ll learn that teal fly different from wood ducks.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM. Be safe and have fun!

[vette74]

On Boots I highly recommend all leather they hold up a lot better than any other product out there. Get goretex and thinsullate and it will cover you for waterproof. These are they type I have I have had them for about 5 seasons and after this season I will retire them and get another pair.

http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-10-Treestand-II-GORETEX-Insulated-Boots-for-Men/product/97216/

[Okie Boarder]

Great advice all around...thanks and keep it coming! We had a fairly successful trip out this go round. We were able to scout out a lot of areas on Saturday and set our blind in a good spot Saturday afternoon. We found a spot that was about 10 yards from water, 10 yards off a fire break road and across from a pasture, and had several deer trails coming out of the woods in the same general area. We heard some deer several times, but never saw anything. The boys got a good feel for what it is going to take to hunt. The area we were in has a good turkey population not too far from where we set our blind this time. We scouted out a couple good areas to set up for that season, which starts the first weekend in November.

Here's a general map of this area. If you zoom in you can see the creek and pond where the let out the lake water and right where that crosses the fire break road into the nearby pasture is the general area we were set up at.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=lake+burtschi&ie=UTF-8&ei=1V1lUo28I6bjiwLploHoAQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

[boardordie]

1) Toilet paper - get camouflaged! White toilet paper has been "mistaken" for a white tailed deer headed away from a hunter. More than a few hunters have been fired upon on public land during gun season while sitting on a log! The hunter orange vest was missed during buck fever I guess.

2) You shoot it... you eat it! I despise trophy hunters with a passion. I've found whole deer carcassus with the neck and head missing. Presumably a buck that somone shot to mount on the wall and they left the rest of the meat to rot!!!

3) Always know what's behind your target. Just because the round impacted what you shot doesn't mean it stopped.

4) Butchering... many local meat markets will butcher an animal for you. Going rate around here for a deer is $100-$150. Well worth the money vs. the time if you've never done it before and you'll get more meat typically. However, make sure you get the meat you bring in. If the meat market doesn't tag your kill and insure you get what you brought go somewhere else! Deer taken when it's 50F or hotter can turn really quick and not everyone thinks ahead and packs a cooler full of ice to pack the body cavity with.

5) Possums aren't the only animals that can play dead. Make sure whatever you've shot is actually dead before handling it. A squirrel grazed by a .22 round and knocked out isn't always dead when you put it in the back of your hunting vest. Ask me how I know! I almost needed the toilet paper from above and he was not happy!

6) Surgical gloves are nice but I get gloves that reach up to the elbow. Blood washes off skin easy but getting it out of your hunting coat is a pain in the a$$.

7) Rabbit and Pheasant hunting are probably the easiest to get kids involved in. The kids don't have to sit still and can make as much noise as they want. Walking through fields kicking up game can also lead to other hunting lessons like identifying game trails and tracks.

[finkle]

[Okie Boarder]

We plan to return to the general area for turkey and may go somewhere else for deer. The one issue with the place we went is the brush is really thick, so it is hard to walk the woods. Another place that a coworker recommended is a little more conducive to walking through the woods, so we'll hit that spot for deer, most likely.

boardordie, I bought a few packages of the glove kits that go all the way to the elbow.

[finkle]

Good call on the elbow length gloves.

Okie Boarder, if you're having trouble finding the turkeys, go out the afternoon before. Scout around and see if you can find where they are roosting. They will roost around sunset.

Regarding deer hunting, get a couple of good knives. A good knife for gutting deer will be a rounded or blunt tipped knife. This will make it easy to cut the belly skin without piercing the organs. There's nothing worse than opening the gut! You'll also need a 4" saw for cutting the sternum and pelvic bone.

[Okie Boarder]

finkle, thanks...I'll do that. Our first time out, we found a lot of evidence of turkey in a certain area. We weren't able to find where they are roosting, but we have an idea it isn't far from where we saw the evidence. There are a couple good spots in that area we could get into the woods a bit to place our blind.

I bought a knife set that seems like it will do a pretty good job...here's what I got:

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/remington-big-game-skinner-set/pid-641371?N=329206490+4294965700

[Okie Boarder]

Correction...shoulder length gloves is what I got. This set: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_32723_-1?ICID=CRT:0376-00063-0061

[NKCrider]

[pyrocasto]

[finkle]

pyrocasto, that's a great point! Waiting after your shot on a deer is very important. I lost a great buck once due to my impatience to track it. Bow hunting WAS a lot different from rifle/black powder/shotgun in regards to waiting for the animal to die. Broadheads have improved so much. As long as I have a lung or heart shot, I don't wait longer than 30 minutes. Plus, they're easier to skin right away.

Heart/Lung hit = Bright, cherry red blood
Liver = Dark red/plum colored

[Okie Boarder]

Went out this weekend for the start of turkey gun season. We found a couple areas that we heard turkey and got some responses when calling. We set up a blind and tried our hand at one of the locations Saturday afternooon/evening and Sunday morning with no luck. We still have two more weekends to go, so we'll see how we do. We will probably do a little more scouting and hunting through the day this next outing and we may not even bother with the blind.

[Okie Boarder]

Here's a good picture of the boys when we were walking in on one of the firebreak roads.



Blind placement...

[Nor*Cal]

Seems like a lot of work to find Turkeys... They just roam my neighborhood.

[Okie Boarder]

LOL, yup. They tend to be a bit more skiddish in areas they can be shot, eh?