For the beginner, deer hunting can be quite an intimidating prospect. It is certainly a serious undertaking and the fact that a life is being taken is something that should not be taken lightly. However, armed with the right preparation, education, and tools, it can be a very rewarding sport.
There are many different types of deer that are hunted. White and black tailed as well as mule deer are pursued as game in North America. Elsewhere red, fallow, hog, sika and muntjac are all considered fair game. When and what one can hunt is dependent upon seasons, which differ region by region, all hunters should learn what these seasons are for where they wish to go hunting.
There are many different methods of hunting, one common one being stalking. This involves following the trail of the prey looking for signs of its presence. This obviously has to be conducted as quietly as possible. Another popular method is the stand technique. This technique usually utilizes a tree stand or a ground blind. A tree stand constructed in an appropriate area, more often than not at the edge of grain or bean fields, at a height of two to five metres. A ground blind consists of a small camouflaged tent or hide. Still activity involves walking stealthily combined with concealment, actively pursuing the animal.
If hunting is to be done with a group of hunters, some of them can be employed to flush out the prey in the direction of the other hunters waiting to make their shot. This is known as line driving and often uses tree stands and ground blinds. In areas which are wide and open such as hills and canyons spot and stalk hunting can be used. This involves spotting the animal first and then tracking and pursuing it until a kill can be made.
Where allowed baits can be used to attract the game towards the huntsmen, though local laws should be checked first. Baiting can be beneficial by positioning the deer ideally for a quick and clean kill. If local rules do not allow for baiting then scents and calls can be utilized to attract prey. As humans have a scent which deer can pick up the use of a scent can also be used to mask the hunters own smell. The novice must learn to sit in a position where his own scent is not detectable by his quarry.
It is always advisable to study deer and their habits, they usually feed in the morning before resting and so the hunter should get up before dawn and position himself before sunrise. Similarly going out again in the afternoon will improve his chances of success as prey will start to move again before sunset.
The most common equipment to use for hunting are bows and rifle, however crossbows, handguns and shotguns can be used. The different types of weapons that are permissible can differ by region as well as having different seasons. Also a minimum calibre is required, for rifles this is . 243 to avoid any undue suffering to the prey. Whether it be bow, rifle or handgun it must be properly maintained and should at all times be operated correctly. A poor weapon or poor handling can result in the deer suffering badly or even cause injury to the huntsman.
Basically, practice makes perfect. The better one is on the shooting range, the higher the chance one has of bagging some game quickly and cleanly. Many hours practicing marksmanship from a variety of angles and positions must be endured before one considers going on an actual hunt. It should be utmost in the hunters mind that a quick clean kill is desirable. By paying attention to wind direction, being as quiet ans as still as possible, understanding your quarry as well as your equipment will all make for a more fulfilling deer hunting trip.
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