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If you’re new to deer hunting, killing your first one may seem like a daunting task. From the time you step out of your truck to the time you (hopefully) squeeze the trigger, there are a seemingly infinite amount of missteps you could make that could decrease, or even eliminate, your chances of killing a deer. Despite this, with careful planning and discipline you can minimize the chance of a mishap and maximize your chances of killing a monster (or at least a big doe). Here are some tips I’ve gathered over the years that have helped me have a high percentage of successful hunts.
Hunt your way to the stand
Many hunters make the mistake of thinking that the hunt begins only once they’re situated in the stand. In reality, it begins as soon as you leave the truck. Always have a cartridge loaded or an arrow nocked on the way in. It’s incredible how many times you’ll come across deer or even get an opportunity for a shot when you make a concerted effort to be stealthy. Just last season, I was walking to my stand and crept up on a couple of does. They were feeding and took no notice of me, and I was able to easily get the larger of the two in my crosshairs. It was early in the season and I let them go, but they were mine for the taking if I had wished. If I had, say, gone thundering down the dirt road or hadn’t had a cartridge loaded, I might not have been presented with this opportunity.
Watch your scent
