10 Tips For Hunting White Tail Deer

The most successful hunters are always learning new things and always willing to try something new, so here are 10 tips for hunting white tail deer. Deer hunting is more than just taking a gun into the woods and hoping for the best. Successful deer hunters work at their hobby all year long and are well-prepared when entering the woods. Strategy and preparation are essential to having a good hunt.

1. Safety first. Being safe in the woods tops our list of 10 tips for hunting white tail deer. Be sure of your target. Not everyone remembers to wear hunters orange in the woods. In addition, never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
2. Dress appropriately. You may be in a deer stand a long time, so take layers of clothing. To avoid sweating, and giving off more human scent, do not put on your outer coverings until after in the deer stand.
3. Set up your deer stand near areas of thick brush cover. Deer like to stay in these areas, so this will increase your chances.
4. Know where other hunters are. This is especially important when on public lands. As much as possible, avoid areas that are heavily hunted. Deer probably know those areas as well, and are staying away.
5. Scout the area carefully before hunting to find out where deer are tending to be, and find trails they take. If possible, scout the area well before the season starts, and as often as possible.
6. Use scents to both mask human scent as well as to attract deer. This is controversial as some hunters feel it is not that helpful, but you need any advantage you can get.
7. Just as you look for patterns in deer behavior, realize that deer are aware of human patterns as well. Change up your areas and times for hunting, as well as methods at times.
8. Practice shooting with the weapons you will use during the season as much as possible throughout the year. You will likely get only one shot, so your skills should be honed to the point that you can make the shot when the opportunity arises.
9. Hunt in the middle of the day. Most hunters are hunting in early morning and late afternoon hours, but most trophy class bucks are shot in the middle of the day. The woods are less crowded during this time as well.
10. Hunt more often. Sounds a little obvious, but the more you hunt the more chances you will have. Hunting one weekend out of the year is not likely to produce good results. Assuming you spent time scouting in the offseason, spend as much time hunting as possible.