Going deer hunting for the first time.

[saxrulez]

I'm all ears to any and all tips anyone has about how to get started hunting. I'm going to try this weekend.

First off, I don't own a tree stand. I'm going to be hunting in the Barbour county WMA here in Alabama. Is there anyone here who hunts without a tree stand that has any advice on getting started?

I'm quite familiar with the woods and have spent more time tromping and navigating through them than I'd even like to admit(former infantry squad leader). I just never went hunting as a kid. I'm a long time shooter, but new to hunting. I'm good for anything up to 1000 yards with my current gun.

Where should I start looking for deer droppings/tracks, and what other signs should I look for? Should I just bring a little stool type seat with me to put up against a tree?

 

[kaferhaus]

Welcome to the high road

So while in the infantry you called your rifle a "gun"? Maybe the Army has changed but when I was in "guns" were artillery pieces. Infantrymen carried "rifles".

You won't find many shots at deer over 100M in that WMA so you don't need the uber sniper rifle you say you're going to use for bambi shooting. In fact it would be a handicap.

Buy a stand they're cheap.

stalk hunting in a WMA can be hazardous to your health. Many of the other guys out there are also newbies and tend to have itchy trigger fingers.

 

[Art Eatman]

Deer work along edges of wooded areas, and generally meander through brushy areas. The reason for stands is so you can look from a bit above the brush. Just starting out, the main deal is not a lot different from hunting people: Be still, be quiet, don't attract attention.

Sit where you're watching what you hope is a likely area with the wind blowing toward you or from the side. It's usually a waste of time to watch downwind unless it's a very wide-open area.

Camo is unnecessary; any old dull sorta-earth-toned clothing will do. Probably the biggest giveaway for a sitting hunter is his shiny little face. One of these little head-net dealies is a good idea.

Deer generally bed down not long after first light or sunup. However, a rutting buck is apt to be wandering around any time of day.

If you're skilled at walking quietly, it's not too difficult to play sneaky snake and still hunt. A few quiet steps and stop, look and wait a bit before moving on. It took a bit, but I've trained myself to reflexively look down for the next two or four steps and then ease along while looking around. Flick another glance ahead, repeat. I like the flat, crepe-soled boots for that. Russell Birdhunters or RedWing Twenty-mile. Not good boots for wet-cold or snow, though.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I am not sure about Alabama, but a tree stand usually works pretty well here in Minnesota.

I've never been sure if it's because:
A. A tree stand keeps you out of the deer's line of sight
B. Some thought goes into the placement of the stand, or
C. You're too afraid of the rickety steps breaking on the way down, so you stay in the deer stand long enough for a deer to walk by.

That being said, I tend to avoid deer stands after the first few opening days. I also get fewer deer, but I think I have more fun than the deer stand-only guys. And staying out of deer stands is generally safer.

I tend to take a low-speed, low-drag approach to deer hunting these days...

A few ideas:
-Instead of a stool, I usually have a butt pad on a belt around my waist. I searched online for one to show you, but they are apparently too low-tech to sell online. Mine is just a simple 3-piece blaze orange pad that folds up & down with velcro. Use this and maybe a downed tree stump to set up against a nice big tree in a good spot.
-A nice big tree. Especially in public land. Get a nice big tree at your back to protect you from other hunters' shots. I will put a blaze orange hat or glove on the other side of the tree if the area is really busy so hunters know I am there.
-A good spot. Now that's really the trick, insn't it? Look for bedding areas, choke points, streams, scrapes, deer poop, trails, etc. Use your natural feelings to figure out where the deer might move. Great deer hunters spend winters, springs, summers, pre-season falls and years figuring this out to get the big bucks. Your woods experience -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! -- will help you greatly.
-Shooting lanes -- make sure you have a few clear lanes of fire if you are in thick woods.
-Get there early, stay all day and go home late. Bring your lunch, a snack and some beverages. The deer like to move at dawn and twilight. They also get pushed during the day by bored and hungry hunters. If you are sitting still, they might just move by you. Have a flashlight, GPS, batteries, compass, map and a good idea of how to get out.
-Bring a book. Sitting is what gets you a lot of looks at deer. But don't bore yourself to death. If the sitting gets old, get up and move around. Be quiet, stop often and look around. If there is a strong wind, cough or make a small noise sometimes when you stop. Deer are darn near invisible unless you get them to move a little.
-Shoot the deer close to the trail. Or, better yet, your vehicle. They are heavy. Meaning - Have a plan to get the deer OUT.
-Introduce a friend to the sport. This also helps with dragging the deer out.

Have fun, be safe and good luck!

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I'm good for anything up to 1000 yards with my current gun.

If you're in woods, you won't get a decent shot more than 200 yards. Even that is pushing it. Make sure you kill your deer.

 

[saxrulez]

Haha, I know I won't be taking any 1000 yard shots, was just giving that as a reference so people knew I had a rifle that was sighted in

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[saxrulez]

So while in the infantry you called your rifle a "gun"? Maybe the Army has changed but when I was in "guns" were artillery pieces. Infantrymen carried "rifles".

Haha, still the same. I'm allowed to call my weapon a gun on the internet though! Its a Savage .308 Nothing fancy, but I shoot it almost as well as the M24. I couldn't be happier with it so far.

 

[GeoffC]

camo yourself reasonably well, dress to be comfortable(sounds like you know this already).

Go find some french mulberry bushes, the light green leafed thin triggy bushes that have the little purple berrys in clusters. Deer love the tender new growth on these things. If I don't know an area I'm hunting and its in the south, I go for french mullberries.... Oddly enough the deer dont give a damn about the berries...

Be quiet, watch, listen, try an have fun...

If ya get one, cool, if not, go back, try again.

Have a blast.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

The heart and lungs are just behind the front legs, low in the rib cage....

Field Dressing them / Cleaning them is quickly important, not cutting the urine sac or large intestine, rinse well and hang the deer, etc.

Not sure about Alabama, but in Ohio you really do need to watch out for other hunters. I wish they were all from the high road, but they are not. Wear hunter orange, and watch out for idiots!.....seriously!

If all else fails, fix bayonete....

 

[d2wing]

I like to sit on a folding stool that swivels quietly. If you can find a spot near a hilltop with a trail nearby that is usually good. If the area you hunt is crowded the deer might lie low until near dark. Stands help but they also limit you too. A blind or natural cover helps. Move slow, be quiet, patient and be ready. Oh make sure you don't shoot anybody.