Stalk a Deer

Have you ever got less than {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from a deer without it noticing you? Well with help from this article you can do it. This article will tell you how to distinguish a deer track from other animal tracks, as well as how to sneak up on a deer.

Steps

  1. Wear the right camouflage or else the deer will spot you and run away. It's best to wash your stalking clothes by hand without any of the fancy modern fabric cleaning products, since these often have a whitening agent in them to make the clothes seem extra clean. An unfortunate side effect of this is that the clothes then reflect more UV light (which is in the deer's visible spectrum). You'll stand out like a beacon to him if you use these cleaners. (An analogy would be someone stalking you in the fields wearing one of those Dayglo vest that builders and traffic wardens have).
  2. Relax. Before trying to stalk a deer you ‘’must’‘ be relaxed. Most people get overexcited when they spot a deer so you must remember to stay calm.
  3. Find a deer track. Deer tracks look like two parallel almond-shaped prints that are pointed on the top end. Follow the tracks in the direction of the pointed end.
  4. After following the track for a while to see which direction it is going, check the map to see where the direction will take you. Try to avoid following the deer if there are any big rivers or heavy bush to walk through, because deer will run right through it when they are spooked and you will never be able to follow the track.
  5. Once you know that there isn’t anything that will get in your way, start heading in the direction of the deer.
  6. Look out for coyotes or wolves, because you’ll be hunting during deer mating season and they are vulnerable to coyote and wolf attacks. If the coyotes and wolves are hungry enough, there is a chance that they will attack humans, so be careful.
  7. Pay attention to the trees and the bushes because the deer may have stopped to eat or defecate; by looking at the faeces and checking its temperature, you can tell how long ago the deer was there.
  8. If you find a sign that can tell you that the deer was there within half an hour, you may be extremely close to the deer and may spook it.
  9. Once you think you are close to the deer, stop and make a deer call for a minute or two. If you hear the deer call back, you know you are within viewing range. Set up and wait for the deer. Once it is close enough to you, try to make the shot.



Tips

  • Don’t wear blue clothing; it’s the only colour deer can really see.
  • DO NOT wear any cologne or deodorant; the deer will smell you and run away.
  • It’s always fun to take a child along to get them into hunting; even if you don’t get your trophy, you will still have fun with a small child or teenager.
  • For a better hunt, hunt in a location that has some vegetation such as corn, green beans, wheat, radishes or raspberries.
  • If you are unfamiliar with the location, bring bright coloured marking tape to mark your trail.
  • If you find a deer marking, mark it on your GPS if you have one with you so that you can come back to it another day and see if the deer has been back.
  • Don't discount the benefit of dressing up like one when hunting one in the wild. Spraying some essence of deer on yourself before embarking on your quest may also help.

Warnings

  • Be careful and be responsible with the muzzle direction; control it at all times.
  • If you do not have your hunting licences you are breaking the law.
  • If you bring a buck knife, remember the blade is very sharp and it is possible to injure yourself.
  • If you are able to, bring a small handgun or a .22 rifle in case you run into problems with big game animals or other predators.

Things You'll Need

  • Camouflage clothing, including a camo hat
  • Some article of clothing with hunting orange
  • A firearm
  • Marking tape
  • Buck knife
  • Water and weatherproof boots
  • Urine from a female deer
  • Minimum of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of rope
  • Survival kit such as food and water
  • Rubber gloves.
  • Extra ammunition
  • Toilet paper

Related Articles

  • Spot Deer Tracks

Sources and Citations

You may like

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Stalk_a_Deer&oldid=363198"