Starting out, need a little help

[wayzata]

Im a teenager and hunt everything and hunt it ever way except bow hunt deer. I am starting this fall and have a piece of land. But other than that, i'm in need of help. If anyone can help me with the basics and the things that are needed it would be great help. Thanks

[NWBuck]

Not a question that can be answered in a few sentences, but I'll give you a short list of what I'd consider the basics...

#1 Practice with your bow. Over and over and over, in different positions, distances, with hunting clothes on, etc. If you're persistent, you'll get a chance, and you want to be able to make the most of it.

#2 Scout. Long distance from a vehicle at this time of year if possible, but don't overlook the value of some "boots on the ground" scouting to find major trails, feeding and bedding areas, etc.

#3 Based on your scouting, hang 2 or 3 key stands in the spots that look like they're getting the most traffic. Think about wind direction in relation to where you expect to see the deer...you want to be downwind of the most likely area where deer will appear.

#4 Don't fall into the "trophy only" philosophy...especially early in your bowhunting career. If you get a chance at an adult deer, even a young basket rack buck, shoot him!! It'll give you confidence and enthusiasm that'll last for years!

#5 Didn't want this list to get 5 long, but this one has to be included. Be patient and put your time in. No substitute for time in the stand when it comes to getting an opportunity to harvest a deer.

Good luck...keep us informed!!

[wayzata]

Thanks a lot! And will do! If you think of anything else let me know! Thanks a lot and good luck!

[sportfish]

Practice and learn to hide , by hide I mean Hang your stands in clumps of trees or trees with good cover .

[Rippinlip]

Do you have equipment?

Bow and all the accessories?

Some camo?

Tree stands?

If you have that, the others have posted great starting tips.

Practice with the hunting set-up, learn to shoot angles if you are hunting from a treestand, or shoot sitting down if you hunt out of a blind.

Make sure to shoot some with your broadheads too.

While hunting watch your movements, you need the deer close to be an effective harvestor of deer.

Good Luck

[wayzata]

yup i have all the equipment, and I will be hunting out of stands.

[Jason_Gundersen]

Make sure you have a rangefinder I would NEVER go bowhunting without one... And like everyone said I would set up your stand and practice shooting out of it to closely replicate hunting environment

[archerystud]

Find a way to shoot some high pressure shots. One way would be to join an archery league and there are a few summer ones out there. Shooting 3D shoots can also help.

I'm always amazed how some great shooters out there have such a tough time shooting at the real thing. It really comes down to practicing under pressure. Once you can learn to "contain" that adrenaline rush while trying to shoot the real thing you will have come a long way.

Good Luck!!!

[BLACKJACK]

Couple more tips:

1) Safety first, use a safety rope when you're up in a stand. Being young and tough you probably think you don't need one but who wants to be a cripple??!

2) Make sure your broad heads are sharp!!! My rule is once they hit the ground, they get replaced.

3) Time in the stand will eventually lead to success!!!

4) As someone else mentioned, don't get trophyitis, shoot a couple of does/small bucks as practice for when Mr. Big shows up some year. You'll be amazed at how many deer spot you when you draw back, or how you can miss a slam dunk shot. Shoot a couple to iron out the kinks. You’ll also get practice following a blood trail and gets some good eats besides.

Do some searching thru past threads, I know that there are some other threads on tips.

Good luck!!

[Finlander]

As said earlier, Safety first! Learn to tie a "Prussic" knot which a knot that slides up and down a rope as you clime up or down from your tree stand!

The prussic knot is attached to your safety harness and is the best for ease and convienience as you don't have to tie up to a tree once your on stand!

Practice shooting during the season as alot of hunters don't take time to practice when that's the time it should be done most! And you can see if your bow is shooting where it's supposed to be shooting!

Clear shooting lanes where your setting up your stand as arrows will deflect on the smallest of tree limbs. twigs, weed, etc.

Good Luck!

[Scoot]

All great suggestions above. Remember this- wind rules all. If the wind is wrong, you're pretty much SOL. Figure out where they are bedding and where they are heading- plan for movement from bedding to feeding in the evening and feeding to bedding in the morning. Get in between with the correct wind.

[bigbucks]

I agree range is important, but you don't have to spend the money on a rangefinder if you can't afford one right now. Just step off the distances to spots where deer are likely to come or if on a field put a tree flag at 20 yards, maybe others at 30 & 40 if you're really reliable to those ranges. There are ways to get around not having one.

One thing I wish somebody would have told me is. Many good or even great gun season stands are worthless for bowhunting. They're either too far away for good bow shots or they're based on the woods being full of hunters, which they aren't during bow season, at least very often. It's okay in a bow stand if you can only see 30-50 yards, being at that pinch point is the key.

The other major things you've probably heard, but hunt the wind. If the wind's not right for a stand hunt somewhere that is, even if it's not near as good a spot, or stay home. Don't burn out good stands hunting with the wrong wind.

If you hit one, unless you see it laying there dead, give it at least half an hour. If you know you gut shot it, go home & come back in 3 hours, unless it's going to rain before then.

[sticknstring]

Welcome to the addiction - you're going to love it!

[Finlander]

Like any hunting, bowhunting will clean your wallet for sure and with all the gimmicks that come out every year for bowhunting, try not to fall for gimmicks as deer that were killed years ago never head or seen these gimmicks. So beware!

[Hoyt4]

Safety, Safety first. If you can afford buying a safety vest. I would start with that first. All other tips are good in the thread. There are also many Bow hunting education classes out there that would help out and probably answer a lot of your questions.

Shoot as much as you can and get out and scout. Know as much as you can about the deer movement before opening day. Good luck

[eyeguy 54]

Don't forget to put a heavy coat on, sit still for an hour, then pull back and shoot your 3D target.... :>) good luck out there!