[john917v]

Hi, guys. I will be going on a mild hunting/more of a scouting trip in 2 weeks, woo-hoo! Aside from distributing feed, and searching for geographical hotspots (like where a clearing meets a tree/shrub line), using a scent-masker, and a 'scent-blender'-to smell like the native vegetation-mesquite trees, using good-quality bullets, in firearms in good conditions, stalking downwind, not eating heavily spiced foods for about a week, and not bathing with soap/shampoo for a about two days (don't worry, I'll definitely rinse off WELL), what else do you recommend for increasing our chances for finding game?
TIA-John

[Art Eatman]

Stalk upwind, not downwind. Wind from in front is upwind. Wind from behind is downwind. You want the wind either in your face or from the side. :)

Stalk slowly and quietly. Sit down often and be still. Find likely spots to sit and watch and be there before first light and then late in the afternoon.

I've always liked soft-soled, crepe-soled boots. Easier to play sneaky-snake. If the wind's in your favor, the next enemy is noise.

Learn to move smoothly, so your motion is more unobtrusive. Flow, don't march. Move along edges of cover, not out in the broad open. And pause every few steps for a few moments; look around before moving on. It just takes a bunch of being there and doing it, is all...

[308win]

Lots of patience and sloooooooooow. Pause often to look and listen. Don't forget to look behind you over the ground you have just covered.

[redneck2]

What are you hunting in April? turkey?

[Loyalist Dave]

Get a reprint copy of Van Dyke's The Still Hunter. Read it twice. Use his technique of figuring out what spooked the game to teach you what to avoid or what to stop doing, and you will vastly increase your success rate. All the clothing a scent-discipline is meaningless if you make the wrong noise, or you move too fast.

LD

[pat86323]

the biggest tactic i can offer is......you know that nasty canyon or grove of super thick timber that you dont want to mess with because its just too rough. When the shooting starts thats where the critters go. Find yourself a spot right near an easy access point into something really really rough. (or if your like me just go on in and worry about coming out when the time comes) the other big thing that alot of people seem to leave out is to in the morning you should try to not be facing east. and in the afternoon try not to face west too much. The sun can make things really difficult. Its thinking of little stuff like the wind and the suns position and where your next step will be the quietest and never EVER forget to look behind you and kill that deer that you just woke up out of his sleep whos now standing watching you walk away.

[koja48]

Can't hardly put enough emphasis on this. One, maybe two steps at a time . . . it's amazing how much your perspective changes (particularly in cover/timber) when you move just a step or two. Remember that the prime objective is to see the critters before they see you . . . not witnessing the south end of critters fleeing north . . . a good cover scent should be considered, as well as quiet clothing that allows you to blend in with the surroundings . . . not necessarily camo, but colors that fit.

[john917v]

I always get confused with upwind and downwind, but I remember that you want the wind blowing towards you, and not from your backside. Redneck2, I will surely go for a turkey if I come upon one, but we will mostly be hunting small game, , like birds, rabbits, squirrels, and pests-like javas. I really appreciate you guys' input. I have been practicing my 'ninja-walk', and I will watch the ground for noise-making debris-dry branches, leaves, etc. Also, I have read that it is a good practice to kneel down every so often, and look from that height, since many deer are around that tall. Thanks again, and keep the ideas coming.

[koja48]

Get used to glancing at the ground and as you perfect the 1-step/2 step method, your feet will soon develop eyes & memory. Enjoy!

[john917v]

I have heard of using down to detect wind direction, but where can I find this? Are there any alternatives?

[308win]

You can get a plastic squeeze bottle mustard dispenser at kmart and fill it with unscented baby talc or a bottle of chalkline chalk in a squeeze bottle at Lowes.

[ojibweindian]

For game with sensitive noses, make sure the wind is in your face, or off to the left or right. If you feel any slight breeze on the back of your neck, you're pretty much done for awhile in whatever spot you're at.

Second, be quiet! The occasional stepping on a stick won't bust you, but blowing through the woods like a bull in a china shop will pretty much make for an unproductive trip.

[Caimlas]

Personally, I've had pretty good luck stalking things like deer by acting like a deer (or a cow, where they're common). Walk along, slowly and casually, but not all that stealthily, maybe 4 or 5 steps. Stop and wait, watching for movement or sound. Don't be afraid to 'rustle' the grass or leaves nearby, but don't do so aggressively.

If they see you, act disinterested. Don't watch them. Don't crouch down (it's a movement which is particularly easily perceived by prey animals, I've heard). Don't assume an 'agile' or 'aggressive' stance. Just pretend you're a dumb hippie out in the woods, or a cow or something. :)

Roll around in the (dry) dirt and bushes before you head out. It'll help give you a local scent, help masque your natural odor, and give you a marginal degree of local camouflage.

And if you're hunting turkeys, stalking is kinda a goofy idea. Turkeys have great eye sight (better than birds of prey, I've heard) and can (and will) spot the faintest of movement or color differential. For birds, they're also pretty smart.

[koja48]

A piece of string or dental floss attached to a bow limb served me well, as did a small feather, tho rain renders it somewhat ineffective.

[Polishrifleman]

What Caimlas says is very true, I've happened upon some does, been busted by sight but then start slowly walking backwards around the nearest cover and watched them continue to eat and walk about for several minutes without setting off the alarm response (close range within 50yds). Having the wind in your favor is the best advice you can follow and give.