Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Deer Hunting For The Novice

By Matt Young


Deer hunting can be quite daunting for the beginner, the taking of an animals life is not something to be taken lightly. If one is prepared thoroughly, is appraised with the right knowledge and has the correct equipment then it can be a very gratifying pastime.

The types of deer that are hunted is wide and varied. In North America, white tailed, mule, and blacktailed deer are sought depending on the location. In the United Kingdom, there are many other species including red, roe, fallow, muntjac and Sika deer. Hunting is done during seasons that are determined by locality and also by species. The beginner must be aware of the season dates for their region.

There are many different methods of hunting, one common one being stalking. This involves following the trail of the prey looking for signs of its presence. This obviously has to be conducted as quietly as possible. Another popular method is the stand technique. This technique usually utilizes a tree stand or a ground blind. A tree stand constructed in an appropriate area, more often than not at the edge of grain or bean fields, at a height of two to five metres. A ground blind consists of a small camouflaged tent or hide. Still activity involves walking stealthily combined with concealment, actively pursuing the animal.

Line drives can be utilized if hunting is done in groups, hunters walking in a line to drive the prey towards other huntsmen. Tree blinds and ground blinds can also be employed using this method. If the terrain involves large open spaces such as mountainous regions spot and stalk hunting can be used. In this case, prey is first spotted before being stalked.

Baits such as apples and potatoes can be employed to draw the game towards the hunter though this is not allowed in some areas. It can be advantageous as it places the animal in an ideal position for a clean shot. Where baits are not allowed scents and calls can be used as a lure. Scents can also be used to cover the hunters own scent. It is always advisable to sit in a location where your scent is blown away from the approaching animals.

To maximize the time a hunter goes in pursuit of his quarry he must be prepared to be up and in the shooting position by sunrise. Deer will feed in the morning before going to ground hence this is the best time to bag a trophy. Afternoons before sunset is also a good time when the f=deer start moving again.

The allowable weapons and calibre of weapon used can vary by region and also by season. Commonly rifles or bows are used, though other allowable weapons could be crossbows and shotguns. Usually a . 243 caliber for rifles is a bare minimum required by law. The weapon must be properly cleaned must operate correctly. This will ensure a good clean kill and not result in injury to the hunter.

The better the marksman the higher the likelihood of killing an animal without it suffering. The benefits of practice cannot be understated, the more successful hunters put in many hours of practice before venturing forth on a proper hunt. Practicing different shooting positions will better equip the novice hunter to make a quick and clean kill. By being aware of the wind, learning to be still and quiet, knowing your prey and your weapon are all prerequisites for successful deer hunting.




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