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You’ve probably heard a lot about whitetail deer hunting and are curious as to what is so popular about it. For the most part, it is simply one of the most common species of deer, especially in the United States, making it a popular target for deer hunters. However, before you can go whitetail deer hunting, you should know a little about them and their habitat so that you can target them correctly.
The first thing you’ll notice when whitetail deer hunting is the reason these deer are referred to by such a name. They have a relatively long, broad tail for deer that is white on the underside (which is usually visible, due to the fact that the tail sticks up in the air). These deer are relatively small and generally have short ears. Females do not have antlers, and the antlers on bucks have all major points coming off the main beam. On average, males weigh between 30 and 70 kilograms when full grown (60-160 pounds), with females being slightly smaller.
It is most important in whitetail deer hunting to know where to find your target. You’ll do best searching hardwood areas in the south, with Texas being one of the major home states of this breed. In southeastern Texas, this is slightly adjusted due to the more mixed vegetation including or almost exclusively pines, in which whitetail can also make their homes. If you trek over to the Chisos Mountains of Texas, you’ll find that, while mule deer inhabit much of the lower foothills and bases of the mountains, whitetail deer hunting is best within the upper mountains themselves. However, in most other places, such as the Guadalupe Mountains, this is completely vice versa, with whitetails preferring the foothills.
You’ll notice in whitetail deer hunting that these animals are dainty eaters and can be quite choosey in their meal tickets. In the Chisos Mountains, you would do best to target them in areas where they can feed extensively on mountain mahogany and low shrubs, while specimens in the Edwards Plateau area are more likely to graze on forbs and grass. You’ll also find that whitetail deer hunting can occur in a very concentrated area, since these deer have a small home range and won’t stray far from it, especially where food is abundant. In fact, some marked whitetails have been noted to spend at least three years inhabiting less 600 acres.
Once you’ve determined what you are looking for and where you are going to be able to find it, you can make a success of your whitetail deer hunting trip with ease. Following these guidelines will make your trip enjoyable and fruitful.
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You are getting ready to join your buddy, who has been begging you for years, on your first hunting trip, and you are entirely clueless as to what deer hunting supply items you will need. In all the movies, you’ve seen men with camouflage and twigs stuck to them, carrying three or four different types of firearms, but for some reason, all that seems unnecessary. What exactly are your deer hunting supply needs?
Camouflage
Of course, you don’t want to be readily noticeable to every creature in the woods, so you’ll need a good set of camouflage. However, you may not want just a standard camouflage. Hunting regulations require that you incorporate the standard hunter orange into your attire so that you can be seen by other hunters and not mistaken for wildlife. That could mean donning a standard vest or coat in the bright red or opting for orange camouflage, which is one of the latest, most popular options to cut down on the amount of clothing and deer hunting supply requirements.
Firearms
In most states, hunters are allowed to use handguns of any caliber, rifles, and shotguns of a low gauge. While you could load up with lots of weapons and heavy ammunition, chances are you won’t need much. Choose what you shoot best with to carry as deer hunting supply. That could be one or two items – perhaps a rifle with a handgun for a backup, since it’s smaller and lighter. What you will most likely find is that, in an entire day of deer hunting, you may shoot one or two rounds, especially if you are waiting for a large buck to appear and holding off on making the noise. Also, be prepared with earplugs and/or headsets that will protect your ears from the noise of the firearm discharge. Such a loud noise at such close range can be damaging to your ears and even cause permanent hearing loss.
Personal Supplies
Most important to your deer hunting supply list is your personal supplies. Keep in mind that you will be sitting outside from dawn to dusk, probably in cold temperatures because deer season occurs in late fall. You’ll need to take some items for yourself to keep comfortable throughout the day. Consider a blanket and a mug of coffee for warmth, especially in the early morning hours. Also, you’ll want to have some sort of sustenance, so be sure to take a cooler with some quick snacks or sandwiches. However, make sure that the cooler stays closed and sealed as much as possible to prevent your targets from smelling any contents.
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There are several publishers who offer a deer hunting magazine and even more that publish articles on deer hunting in traditional hunting and fishing, outdoors, and sports magazines. However, you may want to know a little more about a specific magazine before investing in a subscription that won’t be of any assistance to you in your deer hunting activity.
Deer and Deer Hunting
This is a pure deer hunting magazine, with only a few features now and again breaking away from the topic at hand. This magazine has many expert contributors, and you’ll find all sorts of useful information in it. For example, hunters are frequently sending in tips for publication and stories regarding personal experiences that may be helpful to other hunters. There are often feature articles on the habits and expectations of various deer species, and you can also find reviews on newly available equipment. This deer hunting magazine is one of the most complete magazines available by regular subscription to hunters across the country.
North American Whitetail
This deer hunting magazine is more specialized. While some of the tips and techniques provided for hunting whitetails can be utilized in the hunting of other species of deer, they are geared toward the whitetail, which is the most common type of deer in the southern states. In fact, most subscribers to this particular deer hunting magazine will be found in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, where whitetail deer hunting is extremely common. Every once in awhile, a fishing article or a special on another species of deer will arise within this magazine, but it is strictly for whitetail.
Field and Stream
While this is not a specific deer hunting magazine, this publication features many articles on deer hunting for various species, and it is packed full of information and advertisements for tools of the trade. You’ll find reviews on new equipment available for deer hunting, as well as a stray set of tips and techniques for deer hunting in almost every issue.
Buckmasters.com
For those who prefer to stay away from paper publications, this is an online deer hunting magazine that focuses solely on deer hunting and is packed solid with information on techniques, tools, locations, regulations, and forum-like contributions from readers across the country. In fact, this is one of the most complete sources for deer hunting information available. Aside from individual publications from state park and wildlife commissions, you will find no better deer hunting magazine than this for detailing the options available to hunters in regards to hunting laws and regulations.
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With its incredible beauty and high population of elk, Montana elk hunting is a popular choice for big game hunters. Wide open spaces and consistently applied conservation practices make this one of the best states for hunting elk. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts come from miles around for their chance at bagging the five or six point bull that haunts their dreams. Both public and private hunting grounds have been known to yield excellent results during the fall hunting season. The seasoned hunter can return year after year to their favorite spot or one can opt for any one of the Montana elk hunting guide services available.
Montana’s plentiful natural resource of elk has provided the state with a boost to its economy through tourism for big game hunts. Montana elk hunting has gained a solid reputation for being a hunter’s paradise of unspoiled lands and vast landscapes. Many of the state’s conservation efforts not only meet the average satisfactory standards but exceed them, yielding high numbers in mature elk herd populations. This results in the increased chances for a highly successful hunt whether on private or public hunting grounds. While it’s anybody’s guess if one will actually bag their quarry, it is likely that nearly every hunter will at least catch a glimpse of this majestic animal in the wild.
When it comes to Montana elk hunting, hunters have a variety of options to choose from. Hunting on a horseback guided tour is a popular choice for many hunters. This type of excursion allows one to get deeper into the wilds of nature and come face to face with any number of possibilities. Others prefer the idea of a drop camp where a hunting party is flown out to a remote hunting location. Some guided tours provide tents, equipment and other amenities for hunters. Wall tents, showers and a high quality meal service can make for a comfortable and relaxing hunting experience.
There are a good number of outfitters that can provide the best in Montana elk hunting. A reputable outfitter is one that prominently displays a current license for prospective clients. Guides who work for an outfitter should be personable and have experience with hunters of all skill levels. A competent guide will also have a firm grasp of not only hunting elk but the area the hunt will take place in. Most importantly, he or she should demonstrate good hunting ethics. A trip that is well planned and safe and secure from the beginning allows hunters to focus on the more important aspects of bagging their massive quarry.
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It doesn’t matter whether it’s a flock in Florida or a gobbler in Alabama, turkey hunting is a tough game sport. Many a hunter comes home empty handed when turkey is the target for the day. With this in mind, turkey hunting tips can help give a little bit of an edge for those about to embark on this most challenging of hunts.
Some of the best turkey hunting tips are nothing more than common sense. The fact is turkeys are pretty crafty game. They can see incredibly well and their sense of hearing isn’t all that bad either. Every little thing that can give hunters a leg up can really help make or break a day in the woods or at a field’s edge.
Some of the best tactical turkey hunting tips include:
• Finding them before they find you. It is incredibly helpful to know where the birds in a particular flock go at different points during the day. A bit of advanced tracking can really pay off. If a feeding ground, watering hole or roosting area is found, a hunter can arrive and set up before the birds do. The wait-and-see approach can be a bit tedious, but it can pay off.
• Dress the part. Of all the turkey hunting tips, this might be the most important. Camouflaging everything from the feet up to the top of the head can really help a hunter avoid detection. Since a gobbler’s eyesight is so keen, doing this can really help with the element of surprise, which is absolutely needed in hunting.
• Pick the right weapons. Whether it’s a shotgun or a bow, make sure they’ve been worked properly for hunting turkey. No other turkey hunting tips will pay off if the weapon isn’t calibrated to handle the job. For a bow, this might mean adjusting the pull so it can be held for a duration. For a shotgun, this requires selecting the right shot.
• Consider calls. This is another very important consideration as far as turkey hunting tips go. Often, it is better to get the birds to come into the hunter rather than vice versa. Calls take a little time to master, but they can pay off extremely well.
• Safety first. While this isn’t among the tactical turkey hunting tips, it can play a pivotal role in ensuring a good day’s hunt. Keep safety as the number one concern and no day out in the woods will be a bad one.
Turkey hunting tips cannot guarantee a catch, but they can really help. The key here is outsmarting the birds. This, however, isn’t as easy as it sounds. Be prepared for a challenge.
