New Bow hunter here!
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
New Bow hunter here!
Hey all! I am a new hunter and I wanted your tips, tricks, and advice on what to expect. I JUST got a brand new PSE Omen pro and all my camo. Should I spot and stalk or set up a blind or treestand? any advice would be helpful! Thanks!
#2
Congrats on the bow. Without knowing much about your bow, I'd say spot and stalk will be the most difficult, especially for a beginner. A ground blind would be the most comfortable. And typically I think a tree stand gives you the greatest advantage as it gives you the best view, gets you off the ground out of the Deers line of sight, and also helps get your scent off the ground.
Advice for a new hunter: watch the wind. Keep downwind of where you think you will see deer. And practice practice practice. Shoot your bow several times a week to build muscle memory. I Garanteed you, when that first deer walks within range, you will be way more nervous than when you are shooting at a paper target. This is where the practice will pay off.
Advice for a new hunter: watch the wind. Keep downwind of where you think you will see deer. And practice practice practice. Shoot your bow several times a week to build muscle memory. I Garanteed you, when that first deer walks within range, you will be way more nervous than when you are shooting at a paper target. This is where the practice will pay off.
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
Thanks! don't get me wrong i have had a bow since i was 8 but never went hunting! I shoot my current bow almost everyday but it just wasnt fast enough for me to take an animal with. didnt feel comfortable. I bought this new bow and now I am definately more comfortable taking an animal. what would you suggest for scent control? is the detergent and shampoo really necessary?
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 162
as for scent control....
http://www.basspro.com/Dead-Down-Win...duct/10211962/
all you'll need is an air tight bag to put all your clothes in.
http://www.basspro.com/Dead-Down-Win...duct/10211962/
all you'll need is an air tight bag to put all your clothes in.
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern WI
Posts: 853
Personally, I use scent-free laundry detergent that you may buy in any store. Then hang clothes to dry outside rather than tumble dry. I have also used this same detergent to shower in - no scent again. Finish by spraying your clothes with a scent killer like Wildlife Research Scent Killer. I think all of this will accomplish the same as the Dead Down Wind kit but will only cost a fraction as much. Then hunt the wind! Cause no matter what you do, you still breath, you still shed dead skin, you give off odor in small amounts. My preference is a blind, but I think I am in a minority. But what I would do if I were able to set you up is put up a blind off to the side of a good feeding area or trail - and I would have the blind up perhaps a week in advance. Would brush in the blind and make it so you would be near invisible. Hunt when the wind is in your favor and hunt when there is a moderate amount of wind to conceal your noise when setting up. I find that on dead-still days, deer will often hear me setting up and I see nothing. Sneak in and wait. Deer won't smell you, hear you, or see you. That would give you the best chance. Once you get that first deer, you can try other methods.
#7
You will likely see more deer on spot and stalk which equates to more white a$$es running away from you. A ground blind is easy to set up and move. But, you will watch more undisturbed deer while using a treestand. Scent control is a must. I don't recommend an airtight bag as it may promote mold and mildew. After washing in scent free detergent, I hang my clothes outside for the season. I live in the country though, so there are no city smells to infiltrate the fabric.
Get out and hunt. Observe. Learn from your mistakes. And, don't just fling arrows at every animal that walks by. Take at least one or two practice arrows/broadheads and shoot while in the tree.
IMO, you are not going to learn to hunt on here or on the computer period. You'll find useful advice and tips, but most of your knowledge will come while in the field. Get out into nature. Find a local mentor.
Get out and hunt. Observe. Learn from your mistakes. And, don't just fling arrows at every animal that walks by. Take at least one or two practice arrows/broadheads and shoot while in the tree.
IMO, you are not going to learn to hunt on here or on the computer period. You'll find useful advice and tips, but most of your knowledge will come while in the field. Get out into nature. Find a local mentor.