Stalking tips anyone?
- Thread starter Lavid2002
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fisherman66
New member
What did Elmer Fudd say? be verwy verwy quiet
Smell: Keep your nose to the wind. Anti scent products can help. Don't smoke before going afield.
Sound: Wear clothes that don't rustle. Roll from heel to toe when walking. Avoid stepping on ground that makes noise. Make sure your sling swivel does not squeak.
Sight: Avoid being backlit. Wear neutral or camo clothes. Some people put burnt cork on their face (I don't, but I will wear a mesh net hat most of the time). White skin tends to be obvious. Watches and shiny surfaces can reflect light.
Smell and sound are the worse culprits IMO.
It never fails that I have a cold during deer season. The urge to cough gets unbearable. I've tried to make soft grunts, but inviariably a cough comes out.
I don't stalk hunt. I still hunt and move as little as possible.
Smell: Keep your nose to the wind. Anti scent products can help. Don't smoke before going afield.
Sound: Wear clothes that don't rustle. Roll from heel to toe when walking. Avoid stepping on ground that makes noise. Make sure your sling swivel does not squeak.
Sight: Avoid being backlit. Wear neutral or camo clothes. Some people put burnt cork on their face (I don't, but I will wear a mesh net hat most of the time). White skin tends to be obvious. Watches and shiny surfaces can reflect light.
Smell and sound are the worse culprits IMO.
It never fails that I have a cold during deer season. The urge to cough gets unbearable. I've tried to make soft grunts, but inviariably a cough comes out.
I don't stalk hunt. I still hunt and move as little as possible.
Fat White Boy
New member
Soft clothing is important for noise discipline. Rain gear and the like can be noisy.
Always be aware of wind direction.
If you have to walk through noisy ground cover, go slow and put your toe down first. Your toe is more sensitive and you can stop in mid step if a leaf or twig starts crack. You can use your toe to move debris out of the way, clearing a place to put you foot.
If you can see your prey, move when the head is down. Try to get a tree, rock(s), brush or any obstsacle between you and your prey. Be careful, though, and don't lose sight of your prey for more than a few seconds at any time.
Always be aware of wind direction.
If you have to walk through noisy ground cover, go slow and put your toe down first. Your toe is more sensitive and you can stop in mid step if a leaf or twig starts crack. You can use your toe to move debris out of the way, clearing a place to put you foot.
If you can see your prey, move when the head is down. Try to get a tree, rock(s), brush or any obstsacle between you and your prey. Be careful, though, and don't lose sight of your prey for more than a few seconds at any time.
Last edited:
dirty habit
New member
http://www.fishnhunt.co.nz/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1173670597
Not sure how to link this but these boys know what theyre doing!
Not sure how to link this but these boys know what theyre doing!
I found this worthwhile:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cu...ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177062602&sr=1-2#gallery
In fact, I've not seen anything better.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cu...ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177062602&sr=1-2#gallery
In fact, I've not seen anything better.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
I don't have just a ton of experience but....
Are we talking deer/ungulates here? If so,
First of all, the worse the weather, the better for you. Rainy/wet & windy means you can be quieter. Don't stay in bed; get up and hunt!
Second, I don't believe that you need to stay low; at least not in the woods. You'll make more noise and movement trying to stay low, going up and down, than just by standing still like a tree.
Take about 3 slow steps, trying not to step on any leaves or sticks, then stop and look around very slowly, 360 degrees, for roughly 20 or 30 seconds, then repeat. Some use binocs; some don't. If you're in the woods, binocs aren't really necessary. In open areas, they would help. Look very carefully, as bedded or still deer can camoflauge very well - look for eyes, and white spots.
The key is to move sloooooowly in all movements - steps, hand movements, etc. When you see game, then wait for the game to look away, and at that point, rest your rifle against the side of a tree, with hand support pressing the rifle to the tree, as a field rest.
Are we talking deer/ungulates here? If so,
First of all, the worse the weather, the better for you. Rainy/wet & windy means you can be quieter. Don't stay in bed; get up and hunt!
Second, I don't believe that you need to stay low; at least not in the woods. You'll make more noise and movement trying to stay low, going up and down, than just by standing still like a tree.
Take about 3 slow steps, trying not to step on any leaves or sticks, then stop and look around very slowly, 360 degrees, for roughly 20 or 30 seconds, then repeat. Some use binocs; some don't. If you're in the woods, binocs aren't really necessary. In open areas, they would help. Look very carefully, as bedded or still deer can camoflauge very well - look for eyes, and white spots.
The key is to move sloooooowly in all movements - steps, hand movements, etc. When you see game, then wait for the game to look away, and at that point, rest your rifle against the side of a tree, with hand support pressing the rifle to the tree, as a field rest.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
P.S. Of course, playing the wind goes without saying on ungulates/bear/pigs.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Nothing walks in absolute silence; human ears just aren't good enough to pick up the small sounds. BUT: Critters don't march. They aren't rhythmic in the sounds they make.
So, avoid steady walking. Aside from trying to minimize noise, take only one or two steps before pausing.
Another thing: Glance down and observe the ground for your next two or three steps and then go back to looking for critters as you take those steps. That way, you avoid sticks and rolling rocks yet still are watching the world around you. You can't see Bambi if you're looking at your feet, and you'll spook him if you break sticks or kick rocks.
When you find some good spot to sit and look, do your best to be a rock or stump. "Zen time, lil Bubba!" Whatever you think you need to do while you're playing rock or stump, don't do it. Sit.
This can be very effective on whitetails at mid-day, as Ol' Bucky gets up to look around a bit, pee, and go back to bed.
Art
So, avoid steady walking. Aside from trying to minimize noise, take only one or two steps before pausing.
Another thing: Glance down and observe the ground for your next two or three steps and then go back to looking for critters as you take those steps. That way, you avoid sticks and rolling rocks yet still are watching the world around you. You can't see Bambi if you're looking at your feet, and you'll spook him if you break sticks or kick rocks.
When you find some good spot to sit and look, do your best to be a rock or stump. "Zen time, lil Bubba!" Whatever you think you need to do while you're playing rock or stump, don't do it. Sit.
This can be very effective on whitetails at mid-day, as Ol' Bucky gets up to look around a bit, pee, and go back to bed.Art
Assuming you have already spotted your game and are moving towards it.
If you think you can walk up-right, then walk hunched over.
If you think you can move hunched over, then high crawl.
If you think you can high crawl, then low crawl.
Always go one movement technique lower than you think you can get away with when you are stalking.
Use micro-terrain to your advantage like small depressions or rises in the land, tractor tire ruts when in a farm field, or dried stream beds and washouts.
If you think you can walk up-right, then walk hunched over.
If you think you can move hunched over, then high crawl.
If you think you can high crawl, then low crawl.
Always go one movement technique lower than you think you can get away with when you are stalking.
Use micro-terrain to your advantage like small depressions or rises in the land, tractor tire ruts when in a farm field, or dried stream beds and washouts.
buck460XVR
New member
I've found when you think you're moving slow enough, you're not. It helps to know the area and terrain you'll be stalking in.....that way you don't waste time stalking "dead and empty" areas and you can use the structure in the area to your advantage. As far as always stalking into the wind.....I don't mind a little crosswind at times and sooner or later you have to go back the way you came. One trick I use is to circle an area with the wind cautiously and then slow way down as I return towards my starting point with my nose to the wind. I catch as many deer up and trying to escape by circling around my initial route(cuttin' em off at the pass) as I catch lying in their beds.
I'm not sure if this is pertaining to turkeys, or just all game in general. Since it is turkey season here and we have been doing allot of slipping around in the woods Ill comment on recent experiences.
The most I have learned on this subject is from hunting with a friend. You can hear how your buddy walks, and see mistakes he makes. I critique my friends and they critique me. I def think that you cant hear yourself walk as good as a buddy walking along with you.
These are the main things that I go by about every time I am trying to be quiet in the woods.
-Take your time if possible, and wait for a good time to move.
-Also, if possible move when the wind blows.
-Rubber Boots are your friend.
-Stay out of the sun, and in the shadows.
-Hunt in the rain if you are up to it.
-Don't spook any animals in the woods if possible. Noise in the woods is like throwing a rock in a pond. Like a ripple effect.. One animal alerts another and so on and so forth.
enjoy the woods.
Frank
The most I have learned on this subject is from hunting with a friend. You can hear how your buddy walks, and see mistakes he makes. I critique my friends and they critique me. I def think that you cant hear yourself walk as good as a buddy walking along with you.
These are the main things that I go by about every time I am trying to be quiet in the woods.
-Take your time if possible, and wait for a good time to move.
-Also, if possible move when the wind blows.
-Rubber Boots are your friend.
-Stay out of the sun, and in the shadows.
-Hunt in the rain if you are up to it.
-Don't spook any animals in the woods if possible. Noise in the woods is like throwing a rock in a pond. Like a ripple effect.. One animal alerts another and so on and so forth.
enjoy the woods.
Frank
Soft clothing that doesnt rustle- they hear it
Colours that blend in- look like a bush
Be veeeeeewwwwwy veeeeeewwwwwwwwy quiet- dont move just sit still and wait silently
Watch your quarry- when a coyote is coming in for example it swings its head from side to side to see better and when it is looking away then i move up for the shot and the next time it looks away its a goner.
Colours that blend in- look like a bush
Be veeeeeewwwwwy veeeeeewwwwwwwwy quiet- dont move just sit still and wait silently
Watch your quarry- when a coyote is coming in for example it swings its head from side to side to see better and when it is looking away then i move up for the shot and the next time it looks away its a goner.
Why are you all saying "be very very quiet"? If you're mostly quiet and make a random sound every now and then, you will spook the animal.
It's better to behave like a dumb bovine, provided you're staying out of sight and they're common in the area. If you've ever seen deer in a field with cattle, you'll know you're good to go. Just take a couple slow, lazy steps and then stop. You can try to walk quietly if you want. But deer have good hearing; you won't be able to trick them. Just make SURE you walk like a non-predator: consistently, and in spurts (as if you were eating whatever is around). Walk 10 feet, then stop and wait for 30 seconds (until the deer lose interest, if you can see them - then wait a little longer). Then walk again.
Provided the deer can't see you, walking up to a deer in this fashion is pretty easy. Squirrels don't spook deer - why should you? (Just stay down wind!)
Really good idea! Thanks!
It's better to behave like a dumb bovine, provided you're staying out of sight and they're common in the area. If you've ever seen deer in a field with cattle, you'll know you're good to go. Just take a couple slow, lazy steps and then stop. You can try to walk quietly if you want. But deer have good hearing; you won't be able to trick them. Just make SURE you walk like a non-predator: consistently, and in spurts (as if you were eating whatever is around). Walk 10 feet, then stop and wait for 30 seconds (until the deer lose interest, if you can see them - then wait a little longer). Then walk again.
Provided the deer can't see you, walking up to a deer in this fashion is pretty easy. Squirrels don't spook deer - why should you? (Just stay down wind!)
Really good idea! Thanks!
Wow
Just got back from michigan! Stalked up to 6 deer! SHOT EM GOOD! .....With a camera that is....film sorry cant post pix......got within 10 feet of one doe with a fawn! She had a fat belly......
Thanks guys....P.S. took out some nasty critters with the .22 as I stalked the beautifull deer.
Just got back from michigan! Stalked up to 6 deer! SHOT EM GOOD! .....With a camera that is....film sorry cant post pix......got within 10 feet of one doe with a fawn! She had a fat belly......
Thanks guys....P.S. took out some nasty critters with the .22 as I stalked the beautifull deer.
fisherman66
New member
Scan the film picts and load 'em up. Nice job.