A few weeks ago the state Department of Conservation planned a beginner’s seminar for deer hunting, and while I don’t qualify as a novice, I am not an expert by any means. Still, my first reaction was, “could I teach a class on the subject?”
I’m not volunteering and do not have the credentials, but with more than 30 years experience I believe I could create a fair curriculum for Deer Hunting 101.
The first session would be on rules and regulations. Hunter safety education is required for purchase of a permit, and signing your permit is a contract that says you agree to abide by the Wildlife Code. The required text would be the updated regulations booklet published each July by the department.
Selecting a firearm for the job is a matter of personal preference. Every hunter has his or her own favorite that they swear by and sometimes swear at. Most modern center-fire rifles shoot nearly flat well beyond a 100 yards, but newbies should stick to shorter shots. Patiently waiting for a deer to come into your proximity is the best bet.
Telescopic scopes that most guns come equipped with can be dialed in precisely for anyone to use, but a new hunter must shoot the rifle in advance to get a feel for its weight (they’re heavy), recoil (they kick) and report (they’re loud). All hunters regardless of experience level should send a few rounds down range prior to each season to refamiliarize themselves with the gun they plan to shoot when it counts.
New hunters who want to take up archery have to spend much more time getting acquainted with their bows. The repetition and muscle memory needed for accurately launching arrows requires dedicated practice to hit a stationary target. The pressure of placing a perfect shot when buck fever causes a racing heart and shallow breathing can only be overcome by confidence.
The last bit of advanced preparation is to learn all you can about the property where you hunt. Deer are just about everywhere in the state, but knowing the areas they are most likely to use during the season is a step toward success. Preseason walks in the woods, and motion-detection trail cameras can provide needed reconnaissance.
Where to hunt is also a bit of personal style. Many stands are set up near big fields. It seems logical because when you drive by you can see herds of deer in the open areas morning and evening. Deer do get killed in fields, but my response is always, “for every one you see standing exposed, there are a dozen hidden in the surrounding woods.”
You can not see as far in the forest, and many deer will pass undetected, but that’s where they live. They browse on grass and other greens or grains, but they eat acorns in the fall, and they find them among the trees. This time of year they have other deer on their minds, and again, there are many more in the woods.
Finding the best ambush point is the next consideration. I have hunted from ground blinds and elevated stands, and the view from above is significantly longer and clearer. Being 15 feet off the ground has added potential danger, so I would emphasize safety again. If you don’t have a fall-restraint system, you should stay on the ground.
It is less likely for the deer to see the hunter in a tree stand, but that doesn’t mean they won’t spot trouble above their heads. The most important piece of advice matches what I think has always been my best asset as a hunter. I can sit on my butt for a long time. Staying quiet and still while remaining vigilant for any movement or unusual noises is the key strategy.
Almost every noise you hear is going to be a squirrel, and every movement a falling leaf or flitting bird, but you have to check each out carefully. One of those times it will be the flick of a deer tail or the crunch of a hoof.
When that deer is in sight and in range, you return to the basics of hunter safety education and the importance of positively identifying your target and knowing what lies beyond. Success is the reward for a hunter’s patience, but hunting safely is what makes it a lifetime of fun.
What to do after you take the shot is full course itself. “After you pull the trigger, that’s when the real work starts.”
Originally published by Leader Publications of Jefferson County on Oct. 19, 2023. John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and is the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.
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