Over 11 million Americans regularly hunt, which shows it’s a beloved pass time.
Hunting deer, for example, has many benefits, such as sharpening your senses, helping control populations, and increasing your chance of landing a tasty dinner. The problem is many newbies think hunting is sitting around waiting, but it requires skill and practice. Because of this, new hunters end up making mistakes so they lose out on a kill.
Sounds like you? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here are six deer hunting mistakes and how to fix them.
1. Not Practicing Enough
Learning how to hunt deer takes practice during the on and offseason. Make sure you’re confident using a rifle as it will improve your shooting skills and transform them into muscle memory. If not, you will end up missing easy shots and having an unsuccessful deer hunting trip.
2. Hanging Tree Stands Wrong
Aside from learning deer hunting safety, hunters must know how to hang tree stands. A common problem is hanging your tree stand low on bare trees, so there’s no backdrop to catalog outline. Instead, hang it higher or find somewhere with better coverage so you can secure a kill.
3. Not Wearing the Right Clothes
Make sure you wear the right apparel as it will impact how well you hunt. This means wearing thin gloves to improve your grip and choosing neutral colors as it will help you blend in. You should also bring the right deer hunting gear, including rangefinding binoculars, so you have a successful trip.
4. Playing on Your Phone
Although it sounds obvious, you’d be surprised how many hunters ruin their chances of killing deer by playing on their phones. Not only could this potentially alert game, but you’ll likely miss out on an easy shot. Instead, focus on the moment and the area around you.
5. Not Prioritizing Scent Control
There’s no point finding the ultimate deer hunting spot, only to find your scent is alerting the deer of danger. Regardless of how successful your hunting season is, shower with scent-eliminating soap, find scent-elimination laundry products, and be mindful of wind direction. If not, you’ll end up leaving with nothing to show for your efforts.
6. Relying on Trail Cams Too Much
Trail cams are great for hunting, but you can’t be over-reliant on them. You’ll end up spreading your scent and making it easier for the game to spot you. Instead, use a cellar trail camera as it sends images to your phone, which is far more stealth than fiddling with one attached to a tree.
Avoid These Deer Hunting Mistakes Today
Hopefully, after reading this article, you know which deer hunting mistakes to avoid.
There are many errors, such as not practicing enough, hanging tree stands incorrectly, and not dressing the part. You should also remember to always cover your scent and don’t rely on trail cams too much, especially if you succumb to temptation. Happy hunting!
To read more on topics like this, check out the Sports category
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