2019-20 Hiunting Season

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BlackDragon

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Here's my problem. I moved up from the city in 15' and have been relying on other people to teach/guide me. I don't have any family that hunts, so I try my best to get in with co workers or friends. I'm eager to learn, all I lack is knowledge/experience.

But it seems that everyone I come in contact with is already jaded. Screwed by someone, had and argument with someone, got in trouble because of someone, it always something. Nobody wants to help a new hunter anymore. These guys all start out the story as, "this kid."

I'm not a kid, I'm 41. House, 2 kids, stable job, the works. Why do some dumb kid's mistakes affect me? And why is it so rampant? Literally EVERY SINGLE PERSON I know that hunts has had some kind of bad experience. Its crazy...

Sorry for the rant...
 
Robin

Robin

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I'd give you some help if you were closer. I have no idea what you are lacking but maybe if there is a local gun and or hunting club near by you could join up and meet some more agreeable people. First rule, scout the area you plan to hunt, no sense hunting where the deer aren't. You are a natural predator, follow your instincts.
Robin
 
pjzwtl

pjzwtl

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BlackDragon said:
Here's my problem. I moved up from the city in 15' and have been relying on other people to teach/guide me. I don't have any family that hunts, so I try my best to get in with co workers or friends. I'm eager to learn, all I lack is knowledge/experience.

But it seems that everyone I come in contact with is already jaded. Screwed by someone, had and argument with someone, got in trouble because of someone, it always something. Nobody wants to help a new hunter anymore. These guys all start out the story as, "this kid."

I'm not a kid, I'm 41. House, 2 kids, stable job, the works. Why do some dumb kid's mistakes affect me? And why is it so rampant? Literally EVERY SINGLE PERSON I know that hunts has had some kind of bad experience. Its crazy...

Sorry for the rant...
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Sounds like you need new friends. All kidding aside sometimes learning from your own mistakes is the best way. Like Robin said first be sure there are deer, it sounds obvious but don’t assume because you see some sign they are in there with any frequency. The rest is all practice. Move slow, little noise, watch the wind etc. Don’t get discouraged....

You know the most useful piece of hunting advice I ever got when I was a kid was to stop looking for a deer. What that means is you almost never see a deer you see something out of place then you see the deer. So looking for the out of place things brings you to see more deer. White, black, horizontal and crooked lines all things a piece of a deer may have.
 
Saltwater60

Saltwater60

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Carlos Hathcock said:
I don't judge peoples success by the number of deer on the wall or freezers full of meat. If they enjoy the season and are ethical and responsible hunters, then they are good in my book. I respect a hunter with the restraint to hold off taking a deer that isn't right vs someone who'll take a fawn just because it was unlucky enough to get too close.
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Absolutely. Last year I didn’t have a doe tag for 9P and saw 8 doe I passed on. I do t regret it one bit. I had two sitting and eating in front of me for 20 minutes. I just watched. Not going to lie I thought damn I could shot these two and no one would ever know. I didn’t.
 
Saltwater60

Saltwater60

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BlackDragon said:
Here's my problem. I moved up from the city in 15' and have been relying on other people to teach/guide me. I don't have any family that hunts, so I try my best to get in with co workers or friends. I'm eager to learn, all I lack is knowledge/experience.

But it seems that everyone I come in contact with is already jaded. Screwed by someone, had and argument with someone, got in trouble because of someone, it always something. Nobody wants to help a new hunter anymore. These guys all start out the story as, "this kid."

I'm not a kid, I'm 41. House, 2 kids, stable job, the works. Why do some dumb kid's mistakes affect me? And why is it so rampant? Literally EVERY SINGLE PERSON I know that hunts has had some kind of bad experience. Its crazy...

Sorry for the rant...
Click to expand...
I agree that’s ridiculous. I don’t have anyone to hunt with either. I live north of Buffalo and there is a lot of hunting land to the north and south of me. Most of its private and off limits. My parents have property 2 hours south east of me but it’s hard to get down there. I chose to hunt a small bit of wildlife management area close to me. There were plentiful deer signs but it’s kind of in the middle of the city so I had people walking dogs and a few other hunters around. Might not have been the best choice on my end but I was denied a doe tag again for 9p. I small game hunt this WMA and see deer there all the time, just not during this deer season. Do some research on line and see what others say. There’s plenty of info on the web from reliable sources.
 
NY Leatherneck

NY Leatherneck

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BlackDragon, not knowing what particular experiences you had yet, I will offer some basics.

1) Hunt alone, away from others. Deer will run for cover in football field distances in seconds. Their noises will be your problem unless a deer stops right in front of you.

2) Most deer move in early am and late afternoon. Older bucks are wise and move at night frequently. Unless its the rut, then they become stupid

3) Stay alert and listen attentively. Deer are better than you at this. Keep that in mind. As stated earlier by pjzwitl, dont look for a deer...look for any shape that is not quite right.Deer show up when you least expect them.

4) Dont make people like noises.... If you must go into your pack or something else use a deer call at the same time to help disguise it.

5) Try to get to your hunting spot before daybreak. Don't want to be moving when they are.

6) Have your rifle, shotgun, bow etc. sighted in! Usually there are no second chances.... except during rut with a crazy buck.

7) If there is one deer...good chance more are around or coming soon. Sometimes going after the 1st one is not the best decision.

8) Dress appropriately & in layers, cold sets in when you sit still.

9) Know your safe shooting zones. Look at the lay of the land, nearby housing, structures etc.

10) Enjoy the scenery and peacefullness. Hunting is more than just getting one imo.
 
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BDinPutnam

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Saltwater60 said:
Absolutely. Last year I didn’t have a doe tag for 9P and saw 8 doe I passed on. I do t regret it one bit. I had two sitting and eating in front of me for 20 minutes. I just watched. Not going to lie I thought damn I could shot these two and no one would ever know. I didn’t.
Click to expand...

"Character is doing the right thing when no one else is watching you."
 
whauburger

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Honestly having someone help you dress your first deer is a big help. Other than that, hunting is hard to teach someone. People can give tips and what not but most of your skill will come from effing up and learning from mistakes. There are certain things that will pertain more to regions and if you are bow hunting vs gun, stand vs ground etc. It is easy to get snagged up in what latest and greatest gear there is or what camo to get and how to eliminate your scent but in all honesty the best things are be quiet, still, and to use the wind in your favor. If you are walking go slow. I mean slower than you think slow is and then slow down more. My old man used to tell me move like the hour hand on a clock. No one sees it moving but when you look up it is in a different spot. Take 2 or 3 slow quiet steps and stop, look slowly with your eyes (not your head), listen, try and find movement not a deer. Look for a tail flick or an ear twitch. Try and blend in with the woods. Sit quiet and still, do not fidget and keep looking around like mad. Use your eyes and slowly turn your head. Occasionally DO look behind you, animals often sneak up on you. There are countless things people can tell you but until you put time in and do something wrong it usually won't stick. Walk quick and bump some deer because you want to hurry into a stand and next time you will take your sweet time walking slow to that stand. Any actual questions ask away
 
NY Leatherneck

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whauburger said:
Honestly having someone help you dress your first deer is a big help. Other than that, hunting is hard to teach someone. People can give tips and what not but most of your skill will come from effing up and learning from mistakes. There are certain things that will pertain more to regions and if you are bow hunting vs gun, stand vs ground etc. It is easy to get snagged up in what latest and greatest gear there is or what camo to get and how to eliminate your scent but in all honesty the best things are be quiet, still, and to use the wind in your favor. If you are walking go slow. I mean slower than you think slow is and then slow down more. My old man used to tell me move like the hour hand on a clock. No one sees it moving but when you look up it is in a different spot. Take 2 or 3 slow quiet steps and stop, look slowly with your eyes (not your head), listen, try and find movement not a deer. Look for a tail flick or an ear twitch. Try and blend in with the woods. Sit quiet and still, do not fidget and keep looking around like mad. Use your eyes and slowly turn your head. Occasionally DO look behind you, animals often sneak up on you. There are countless things people can tell you but until you put time in and do something wrong it usually won't stick. Walk quick and bump some deer because you want to hurry into a stand and next time you will take your sweet time walking slow to that stand. Any actual questions ask away
Click to expand...
+ When in a tree stand and you see a buck don't knock the seat from your stand on the ground and don't bring a deer home if it smells like ass. :)
 
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