 |
Deer Hunting
|
 |
As the winter approaches and the temperature drops, its time for America’s sportsmen to head to the woods. Deep in the woods hides the
prize catch, the American Whitetail Deer. Deer hunting is the pursuit of deer for sport or food. Numerous different species of deer live
throughout the country, with white-tailed deer being the most common in the country. The whitetail deer is by far the most popular species for
hunters in America.
There are four common methods of hunting deer…
- Stalking, which consists of following signs and trails of deer,
- Stand Hunting, waiting where deer are likely to travel,
- Still Hunting, walking silently and waiting concealed in the pursuit of game,
- Line Drives, which consists of flushing deer toward a line of hunters.
Hunters often look for rubs, scrapes, and tracks, this practice is called scouting or stalking the deer. Common marks of deer include
markings on the ground of urination and rubbing of antlers on tree bark. These signs help dictate size, age, and species of the deer the
hunter is tracking.
Dogs are sometimes used in the hunt for deer, despite being illegal in most states. The hunter lets a dog loose and scares the deer out into
the open. The trip being that deer usually live in a small area called their home range, when the winter weather hits, or they are scared out,
they are forced to move.
There are many different weapons used in the hunt for the prize deer. Some examples include…
- Bows
- Crossbows
- Rifle
- Shotguns
- Pistols
- Muzzleloaders
Each state has different timelines for each weapon. Archery season is usually
the first to open, followed by gun season. Most areas of the country put limits on the minimum caliber or gauge that can be used. Muzzle loader hunting is a unique practice used by nostalgic hunters. Many traditionalists still use wood stocked, iron sighted rifles with round lead balls and traditional black powder charges.
A few things every hunter needs…
1. Camouflage, Camouflage is a natural colored outfit used to hide in the
wilderness. It is very important for hiding purposes except during gun
season when it is mandatory to wear blaze orange on public land.
2. Deer stand/blind, there are several different types of stands, ladder
stands, climbers and stationary blinds. Wedged in the tree, on top
of a hill, or chained to a tree, either way deer stands are a common
item in the woods and can make your hunt much more comfortable.
3. Weapon, every hunter must carry their weapon of choice, weather it be
guns, bows, or muzzleloader.
4. Waterproof boots, waterproof boots are not essential but they come in
very handy, especially since deer do not always fall down where you
shoot them and may run for a few hundred yards into unfamiliar woods. |
|
5. Knife, knives are essential for skinning and field dressing deer.
6. Tags, tags and permits are required to hunt deer legally; they may be purchased from local sporting good stores.
7. Orange Clothing, during gun season it is required that hunters wear blaze orange clothing when on public land.
8. State or Locality Permit, no hunter may take down a deer easily or legally without using certain weapons when they are
permitted.
Click on your state to visit your local DNR.
