Hunting Mentor and Hunting Tips

[ArnoldSKS]

Was wondering if you could give a few tips on hunting Deer. I live in the Greenville,SC area and trying my hand at deer hunting. I have a Marlin 336 and all the gear, books and accessories. Just wanted a few tips on how too be successful before the season kicks off.

If there is someone in the area welling too teach a newbie, please email me @ [email protected] or [email protected].

I'm welling too learn and very excited about spending some time out in God's beautiful country side.

 

[georgeky]

Learn to shoot that Marlin well at various ranges. I find that Remington 170 grain Core-Lokt ammo is as good as it comes in most 336's. Spend some time in the area you plan to hunt before season. That way you can see where the deer have been and learn the territory. Pay attention to the wind and move slowly. They see and smell very well. Then the patience and determination come into play.

Don't let anyone tell you your 336 isn't enough rifle. They kill thousands of critters every year. You may even want to try the Hornady Leverevolution ammo. It will make your rifle into a real 250 yard rifle.

Learn your rifle! Learn your hunting area, and you will become an old deer hunter.

I fill my tags every year with a 336 of one caliber or another.

 

[absolute0]

It's great to see new hunters excited about hunting! Check around your local ranges or sportsmans clubs to try and connect with some experienced deer hunters. Chances are you'll find folks very willing to share information and help a new hunter get started.

 

[deanadell]

We are blessed with a LONG season here in SC (black powder opens today!!)

My first suggestion.....get out and go as much as you can. There is nothing in those books as important as being in the woods and learning how the animals behave.

Are you hunting private land locally? Or WMA land?

Check out this forum also fo good contacts and info...

http://scoutdooradventures.com/forum/

 

[ArnoldSKS]

Thanks guys,

I'm going too be hunting WMA Land. I'm trying too connect with more experienced hunters in my area, slow going right now. I've be too the range a lot lately with my Marlin and practicing shooting from a kneeling position, off hand, seated and with shooting sticks. I'm doing pretty good with it in the different positions. I'm shooting Remington Cor-Lokt 150gr. bullet, it seams too be very accurate.

 

[moooose102]

I find that Remington 170 grain Core-Lokt ammo is as good as it comes in most 336's

of course, somebody has to disagree with this! everybody has their favorite ammo! personally, i preffer either the remington or winchester HOLLOW POINTED bullets when it comes to 30-30's. but, i have not hunted with the new hornady levereveloution shells yet either. if you are in a spot where long shots are a possibility, you had better get a box of the hornady's. they make the little 30-30 an honest 300 yard gun!

 

[wizmime]

remington ammo in a marlin 336 been problematic for me the primer was seated low in them back in the 70's and havn't cared for the remington ammo since in any firearm,But alot has changed over the years

 

[dakotasin]

Was wondering if you could give a few tips on hunting Deer.

1 - slow down. it takes me 2-3 days of hunting before i get in tune w/ the natural environment, and the natural environment moves at a much different pace.

2 - be patient.

3 - look to see where the deer are before the season opens. take note of game trails. don't be afraid of sneaking down a game trail in the late mornings/early afternoons.

4 - use binoculars a lot. binoculars are a more necessary tool to successful hunting than a rifle scope is. yesterday i was sitting high on a ridge glassing across a canyon and saw the biggest buck of my life feeding. i never would've seen this deer were it not for the binocs. the day before yesterday i was sneaking through some trees glassing the area every 3 - 5 steps. i caught a small buck in his bed long before he knew i was there. highly unlikely i would've picked him out w/ my naked eye until after he fled the area.

5 - enjoy the experience. don't get caught up in the 'have to make a kill to be succesful' mentality. the kills will come. enjoy where you are, and relish in what you see. last week i was hunting elk and crested out a mountain top. the aspens below me had just exploded with color. some of the most vivid reds and yellows i have ever seen. the view of the vast drainage from my perch was absolutely breathtaking. later, i was perched on some rimrock on a trail about 15" wide. narrow trail in front of me, narrow trail behind me, wall of rimrock on my left, and 50' of sheer cliff on my right. from my precarious position i watched elk bugle, bulls fight, a badger on top of his mound, a mule deer in my face, surprised i was on her trail, get all indignant and leave... every outing is a chance to make memories that few others will have an opportunity at, and many wouldn't appreciate if they did have the opportunity.

good luck!

 

[Shawnee]

Are you planning to hunt from a ground blind, or from a tree stand, or by stalking throught the woods, or ????

The One book that every deer hunter should read is "Whitetail" by George Mattis.

Never lose faith in your Marlin 30/30.

Keep practicing from field positions.

Use your eyes five times as much as your legs.

Watch for movement and "parts" of deer (as opposed to a picture-book whole-deer image). Look also for (roughly) horizontal lines - there are few in nature except the line of a deer's back. Remember deer are more gray in color at this time of year because they have shed the "red" coat you saw them in all Spring and Summer.

As soon as you see a shootable deer - the first thing you should de is get your breathing under control.

Shoot at a particular spot on the deer - not just "at" the deer.

Good Luck !

 

[ArnoldSKS]

A big THANKS 2 dakotasin. Those are some awesome tips. I'll take them too heart.

Shawnee,

I plan too hunt from a ground blind this year. I may try a little stalking, but the people around here are advising me not too do that. They say that on WMA land people shoot at anything that moves. I have all my Orange gear, hat, vest and gloves.

 

[koja48]

Good luck . . . put in as much time as possible. You have a fine choice of firearm. And hunt slowly . . . by that, I mean S L O W L Y . . . 1 or 2 steps, then stop & watch (don't "look," but "watch" . . . there's a huge difference!). It's truly amazing how a step or two changes your perspective . . . the flashing tail you see is the deer you don't get; the deer you see before it sees you is the one you harvest. Be patient . . . it will happen. Enjoy & may the best of adventures be yours.

 

[ArnoldSKS]

Koja48,

Big thanks 2 you. I well try that.

 

[jeepmor]

My tip would be this. When you're scouting a watering hole and think you've glassed it plenty and don't see anything, glass it again, take a few breaths, and look one more time.

I did not give it one last look this weekend and spooked a big buck who quickly departed the scene.

 

[ArnoldSKS]

They are talking about rain on Saturday (opening day for rifles). Would it still be a good day too hunt? People on TV say it's a great day too hunt and that the deer well move around freely because of the rain.

 

[Jst1mr]

You'll be fine, deer don't mind the rain, and, up here, a good snowy day is one of the best to hunt. That's why there's so many pages of hunting rain gear in Cabela's!!! Get out early, stay dry so you don't get chilled, and keep your eyes open (deer can move silently under any conditions, but even more so when its wet....). Also - remember to take care of that rifle at the end of the day and don't put it away wet!!!! Nothing will sicken your stomach like pulling out a rusty rifle, and, YES, it can happen overnight! Great luck to you, be careful, and let us know about your hunt!

 

[ArnoldSKS]

Jst1mr

Thanks, wish me luck.

 

[3pairs12]

Not only can the deer move more silently in the damp/wet conditions you can also. Good luck