jdthaddeus
New member
I went on my first deer hunt last weekend, and will go on the second half in a couple days. I am hunting Cous' Whitetail and Mule deer in the Prescott National Forest, north of Prescott Arizona.
I learned a LOT last weekend, but not enough to even see a Buck (as much as I am embarassed to admit).
I tried sitting on a hilltop all day and glassing for miles. I didn't see one. I snuck around for hours like a ninja, didn't see anything but tracks and scat. I did this for 5 days, 14 hours a day of grueling effort, and saw nothing but tracks and scat....Until I was driving home of course, then I saw 8 deer on a hillside! Arg.
I can't feel too bad, since my hunting buddy who has been hunting over 50 years saw none also. There just aren't many out there this year. But I am not satisfied; I want to do better this weekend.
What are some basic tactics I need to employ? As in: should I try to find a trail they might use and sit downwind for 5 hours or so just waiting? Or do I stalk around and try to sneak over a hill and get them? If I sit and wait, what signs should I look for in a good stand, and what are the best times of day?
What are their activities during the different phases of the day? What do they do in the morning? Afternoon? Evening? What are their general habits? (I realize there is more on this topic than can be written here, I just want some basic pointers).
I learned a LOT last weekend, but not enough to even see a Buck (as much as I am embarassed to admit).
I tried sitting on a hilltop all day and glassing for miles. I didn't see one. I snuck around for hours like a ninja, didn't see anything but tracks and scat. I did this for 5 days, 14 hours a day of grueling effort, and saw nothing but tracks and scat....Until I was driving home of course, then I saw 8 deer on a hillside! Arg.
I can't feel too bad, since my hunting buddy who has been hunting over 50 years saw none also. There just aren't many out there this year. But I am not satisfied; I want to do better this weekend.
What are some basic tactics I need to employ? As in: should I try to find a trail they might use and sit downwind for 5 hours or so just waiting? Or do I stalk around and try to sneak over a hill and get them? If I sit and wait, what signs should I look for in a good stand, and what are the best times of day?
What are their activities during the different phases of the day? What do they do in the morning? Afternoon? Evening? What are their general habits? (I realize there is more on this topic than can be written here, I just want some basic pointers).