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5 Deer Hunting Tips For Beginners

A majority of articles about deer hunting will give you the advanced techniques for deer hunting, or more than the basics. But if you have never hunted deer before, this stuff is useless to you. 

You want to get some proper deer hunting tips for beginners to help you get on the road to making your first shot, and doing so successfully. 

If you are hunting for the first time ever this season, do not worry, it doesn’t need to be stressful, and we can tell you right now that all you really need to get started is 5 simple things. 

So, let’s get started and have a look at what these 5 things are to get you started and well on your way to your first successful hunt! 

 #1. Get Out There

No one ever shot a deer in the middle of a suburban area, at a target, or in a diner. If you really want to harvest a deer, you need to spend as much time as possible out in the field, practicing, getting a feel for the environment, and experiencing the deer’s natural environment. 

Always make sure you pack enough water and food to get you through the day, and make sure you prioritize getting the experience you need for your hunt. 

If you are on a hunting trip, ensure what you will prioritize is clarified beforehand. Are you going to focus on the social side, or will you be considering the hunt more? 

If you will be focusing on the latter, you need to make that clear to others and to yourself! 

#2. Always Wear Appropriate Clothing

Weather is important. You should always dress appropriately, even in warm weather. If you are out all day, you need to consider that dawn and dusk are significantly colder than the other hours of the day. 

If you plan on bow hunting you need to ensure whatever you are wearing that you are well camouflaged. When gun hunting, oranges need to be considered. 

Vests are a good idea as you can wear these over most t-shirts, parkas, and so on. 

However, if you face cold weather, try using heavy coats and coveralls, keeping your head and neck warm with warmers and caps, and boots are absolutely necessary. 

You can buy a few of these things fairly cheap and get away with their low price, however, boots are not it. You need to have high quality waterproof boots that will support you well out in the field. 

#3. Use The Correct Tools

When you shoot your first deer, if you are hunting to gut, and eat then you need to be prepared. Make sure you are equipped and ready, the last thing you want is to have to make your successful kill, gut it and then realize you have no rope to hang the deer, or tarp to help you drag your kill back to your truck. 

Make a to-do list for packing and make sure you have everything ready before you set off, even if you are in a hunting party, someone else may have forgotten something.

#4. Be Well Acquainted With Your Weapon

Knowing your weapon and feeling comfortable with it, regardless of whether you use a bow or gun, is important. You need to practice as much as you can in the preseason. It can help you hone in your skills and make you better understand your own limits and those of your weapon as well. 

It can aid in your judgment of distances when it comes to actively shooting, you will know what you are comfortable with. Also, it is useful to be aware of what your shooting limits are. 

You want to start at 50 yards, then 100 yards, and then 200. In dense forest, 50 yards may be the maximum.

#5. Know The Importance Of Scouting

Scouting for deer is something of an art form, it is very different from scouting out other game. You will usually do this from a distance. Look for deer from a roadway or path with binoculars, looking for every movement. 

Go in the early morning and the later evenings for more activity. 

Always scout a few areas for hunting, as it can give you more options. 

You can even scout without leaving your home if you know how. Maps can give you a bird’s eye view, and you can even use game cameras to get a look at deer without having to get too close. It is an ideal way to choose your area with little to no fuss.

Christopher Stern

Christopher Stern is a Washington-based reporter. Chris spent many years covering tech policy as a business reporter for renowned publications. He has extensive experience covering Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commissions. He is a graduate of Middlebury College. Email:[email protected]

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