Physical Conditioning for the

Bowhunter

Deer hunting requires stamina.  Bowhunters should do everything they can to stay in shape.  Bowhunting is tough enough when you are in great condition.  The fact is that you simply cannot be in too good of shape. I also realize that everyone has his or her own levels of fitness and conditioning. Keep in mind that even a guy in marathon shape will probably still be fatigued during a 10 day high mountain elk hunt, so it is your best interest to pay particular attention to the conditioning aspect of hunt preparation. Whatever you have been doing to get ready for your big trip, do more. More stamina is better and you will need it. That being said, it is also true that:

* You will typically hike and climb 5-15 miles a day in terrain that is rugged and at higher elevation than most of us are used to. This is why a good cross-training fitness program is most effective. You should incorporate hill work, weights, biking, road running, etc. in an effort to achieve total body condition.
* One thing that most of us can’t do in advance is to get acclimated to high altitude. Many live at elevations that may only be a few hundred feet or even less above sea level, while most elk hunting takes place at 3,000-10,000 feet. The only way to get acclimated is to go to the elevation you will be hunting at, which is not feasible for most of us, but consider that the person who is in good shape physically will have much less of a problem with altitude and will acclimate much faster.

With every rule there is an exception. What can’t accurately be quantified is desire. My hunting partner, Roy Roth, is one of the mentally strongest guys I have ever met and what he lacks for in the conditioning department he more than makes up for in the, “Quitters never win and winners never quit” department.

Basics of Bowhunting forTurkeys

Shooting a bow is considered to be a challenge for most of us, but add that to the extra challenges of bowhunting the wariest game bird in the woods, and the quest becomes even greater.  There is no game out there which can test the hunter’s skills like the wild turkey.

For most of us hunters, opening day of turkey season finds our birds still “grouped up” and just beginning to break from their Winter flocks. There are a couple of good things about this: 1 – if you can locate one of these large groups
, you have a much better opportunity to be treated to quite a show! It’s not uncommon to see numerous adult Toms strutting, gobbling, and even fighting as they begin to establish their dominance around many of hens. And, 2 – multiple gobblers means multiple opportunities.

The bad thing about bowhunting large flocks of wild turkeys is, well… you’re hunting a big flock of turkeys! It doesn’t mattervery much how good your call sounds, opportunitys are you are not going to call a Gobbler away from 40 or 50 hens. I like to hunt these early season birds with the same mentality that I use for deer season. Scout, scout, and scout some more. Once I’ve found a flock of birds, I try to be there at fly-down time every single morning for at least 2 weeks before season opens. If you have the opportunity to watch some turkeys day-in and day-out like this,

I think you’ll find that often, they are fairly easy to pattern. Even though they may roost in different spots and rarely travel the exact same path 2 days in a row, they normally will end up in the same general area every morning. So like the saying goes, “don’t hunt ‘em where they are, hunt ‘em where they’re going to be”. For this type of hunt, I almost always use a portable blind.

There is probably no better way to harvestl a turkey with by bowhunting than using a pop-up blind. Once I’ve patterned my birds, I like to set a blind up a day or two before season. I really only do this out of convenience, there is no need let the birds “get used to the blind” or “brush it in”. More often than not, I’ll set my turkey blind in the middle of an open field, with no cover around what so ever. It’s funny how a wild turkey will walk right past a blind that was not there the day before, without ever even giving it a second look – very different from deer! Once you’ve got your blind set, it’s really just a waiting game. Again, think of it more like deer hunting – sit back, call a little, and let the birds come to you. If your patient and you have done your homework, I think you’ll find this to be a successful way of bowhhunting early season gobblers!

So, to cap it off, hunting with turkeys with a bow can be an ultimate challenge of skill and patience.  Be sure to practice relentlessy until you feel comfortable placing your shot cleanly and responsibly.

Mock Scrapes for Deer Hunting

Deer communicate through many different ways including vocalization, scents, and visually. Utilizing scent and a visual scrape can be a deadly combination.

A scrape is a visual sign post. Unlike rubs, which are seldom revisited once first created, some scrapes are reworked rather frequently. A buck makes a scrape to mark his territory. He leaves his scent behind for other deer to know that he is in the area and this is his ground. By making mock scrapes you’re showing him that there is another buck in the area that thinks the spot is his. Then it’s up to him, whether or not he’s up to the challenge.

To me, mock scrapes are a vastly underused tactic for trying to harvest a whitetail buck. I hunted many years without using them. Every season scrapes would pop up and I would hunt near them, but never with much luck. My first attempts at my own scrapes were rather fruitless as well. My lack of scent control was to blame for that. Once started being more careful about my clothes and what I touched I started to see some results. My first positive experience was five years ago. I entered the timber fully clothed in scent absorbing clothes including a face mask and gloves. I also wore scent free rubber boots. I had remembered a massive scrape that first popped up in the middle of October, about 40 yards outside of a thicket bedding area. This area is directly between that bedding area and a food plot I had planted the year before. It was an ideal staging area that deer will hold up in just before entering the field to feed at dark. I stated the scrape rather small, just larger than a dinner plate. I checked it again 8 days later and was amazed at the amount of use it had received. One of the overhead licking branches had been broke and was hanging limp above the scrape. The area I cleared on the ground had more than doubled in size. Unfortunately, this was before I had a trail camera so I had no idea of the size of the deer that was using the scrape.

I like to start my scrapes early. This way the deer have plenty of time to find and start using them. My target time period is the middle of September. Scrapes this time of year aren’t very numerous, but by making yours be the first ones of the season, your telling that deer that there is a buck in the area. The dominate buck in your hunting spot isn’t going to take well to this. He doesn’t want an intruder coming in and challenging him. At first, there may not be much activity in your scrapes, but the closer the rut gets, the more action you’re going to see. I’ve started scrapes just bigger than a paper plate, by the time November rolled around; they were the size of a small car hood. Nothing gets your blood going more than seeing a freshly worked scrape with some deep hoof gouges and a few broken branches hanging above the scrape.

The most important factor when making a mock scrape is scent control. The purpose of the scrape is to create an area where a buck will visit regularly in order to pattern him. No deer is going to work a scrape that is full of human scent. If you’re careless with scent control that might not even make it down the trail to the scrape. I use the same methods as I would if I were going hunting. Take a scent free shower, dress when I arrive at the site, and then give myself a heavy dose of scent killer on my clothes and boots. I also like to wear a pair of latex surgical gloves. The first thing to focus on is location. Think back where you have seen scrapes in past years. You want the mock scrape to be as natural as possible. Not directly on a trail, preferably not on an edge of a field, and it must have one or more licking branches 4-5 off the ground. I also like to use them on edges of small secluded food plots back in the woods. Once you’ve found the spot, clear out a 1 foot in diameter circle. Make sure no vegetation is left in the scrape. The next step is to use a pre-orbital gland scent on the licking branch. There are a few different manufacturers who have these types of scents. Next, use a generous amount of buck urine in all areas of scrape. Hopefully, a buck will pass by and smell the urine from an intruding buck. As long as he doesn’t smell that you’ve been there, he’s going to try to take over the scrape. I like to freshen my scrapes every 7-10 days. In doing so, you’re telling that buck that there is another buck is trying to take over his area. Each time you freshen it he’s going to come back and leave his scent behind.

The scrape I had mentioned earlier, was one of my most successful I’ve ever had. After hunting it a few times rather unsuccessfully I had almost given up. I decided to give it one final try just before the rut really kicked in and the bucks abandoned the scrapes. About 30 minutes before dark I heard a crack toward the bedding area, then out he stepped. A really nice deer, but need one more year to grow. I don’t know if he was the biggest deer using the scrape, but he was the biggest I had seen over it. He didn’t work it very long while I was watching, but he did walk over to it and thrash his antlers in the over hanging branches. The buck was a good 3.5 year old that would have gone mid 130’s, but knowing the area, I knew he had a good chance to make it through to next season. Unfortunately, I didn’t see him anymore that season, and haven’t seen him since.

Deer communicate in many different manners; in my opinion scrapes are one the best tactics a hunter can use to harvest a buck. It combines two of the ways they communicate. The key to using them to your advantage is to remain scent free and pick a spot that is likely to be used for scraping. Finding the right area and a dominant deer that is willing to protect his territory can lead to some awesome hunting action and possibly a good set of antlers on the wall.

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Deer Hunting Secrets

Author: John Dee

Deer are commonly thought of as being crepuscular animals. This means that they frequently become active during dawn and dusk and more often than not tend to sleep during the middle of the day and late at night. This is possibly a defense mechanism to enable digestion and rest during the day when predators are not as active.

However, some deer do decide to feed during the middle of the day; this is a quirk in that deer’s schedule for that particular day and more than likely not a repeated event.

Figure out what food source that the deer will be eating during hunting season and locate it. Know your terrain, food sources, bedding areas and funnels.

Scouting before hunting is a must to locate a big buck’s territory. I prefer to do my pre-season scouting immediately after the deer have “rubbed” the velvet from their antlers. Remember that while rubbing the velvet from their antlers, a buck will not attack the larger trees and bushes that he will immediately prior and during the rut; however, he will leave evidence on smaller bushes. This activity will tell you where the deer are and may help you pattern a particular animal.

Determine which oak trees have the most acorns for the upcoming fall by scanning the upper limbs of the trees with binoculars. Set stands near trees with large number of acorns before they ripen and the deer start feeding in the area.

Start early, at the latest, mid summer. Scout like you’re hunting. Be careful. Don’t make much noise and try and leave little scent in the area. Hang your stands early and then leave the area alone until you plan on hunting.

Also note that over scouting an area can have a negative effect on the wildlife and you may end up pushing the deer out of the area, not be seen or heard from during hunting hours.

Try to find any area where clover or rye or any greens cover the ground. Look in the surrounding areas to establish trail routes and scrapes; and look for deer tracks to reinforce movement and frequency.

A deer loves to sleep where the brush is very thick and very dense. Most areas of this nature accompany small pines and swampy areas where movement by a predator would not go without detection. Hunting in these conditions is very hard because of limited vision and the noise that would accompany a hunter stirring around the brush. Hunting in these areas is not suggested because of these handicaps; it would be best to wait on the outskirts of a well used trail and await the exit or entrance of the deer from or to his feeding spot.

An important cycle of a deer’s life is its powerful will to mate and it is during this time (also known as the rut) in which the deer’s senses are dulled and the hunting hopeful now has a slight edge. During this time of the year the deer will be active a significantly larger amount of the time. This means that you will have a greater chance of seeing an elusive buck and a much better chance of bagging one.

Choose a Bowhunting Outfitter

Author: Jason Purvis

When planning a trophy whitetail deer bowhunt, it can be a difficult task to choose the right hunting outfitter. As one searches the internet, they will find outfitters promising, even “guaranteeing” a successful whitetail deer bowhunt just to lure someone into booking a hunt. While the vast majority of outfitters are reputable, some bad apples can can turn a hunting trip into a nightmare.

When searching the internet for trophy whitetail deer bowhunting outfitters, avoid the few who provide info that’s to good to be true. Always look for outfitters willing to provide references. Some outfitters have long lists of bowhunters that have previously used the outfitter that can be called to verify information and details.

Some trophy whitetail deer bowhunting outfitters may even have lists of popular hunting tv shows that have stayed at their lodges and filmed bowhunts on the property. You can sometimes check that hunting show’s website to get information about the outfitter, including some of the video footage shot during the hunt.

When you call an outfitter for your trophy whitetail deer bowhunt, make sure to have a list of questions written down. Does the outfitter provide bowhunting only whitetail hunts on their property? Has the outfitter implemented Quality Deer Management practices on their hunting land?

A reputable bowhunting outfitter will take the time to answer all your questions thoroughly, without any hype. If an outfitter doesn’t answer your questions to your liking, or changes the subject, then it’s probably a good idea to contact another.

If you’re looking for an outfitter that provides a hunting lodge and meals for its guests, make sure to ask about the amenities. Does the lodge provide a peaceful environment with private rooms and showers? Does the lodge provide home cooked meals? Is the lodge female bowhunter friendly? How many bowhunters does the lodge accommodate at a time?

Finally, what about if you’re successful on your trophy whitetail deer bowhunt. Does your outfitter provide deer processing? Does it provide a freezer to store your meat until you leave? Some outfitters provide these services, but others will tell you that you’re on your own after a successful hunt. Make sure you know BEFORE you’re in that situation.

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Deer Hunting – The Early Season

Author: Ryan Stack

The archery season had just gotten underway in Minnesota. Since I had been bear hunting through the first few days of the new deer season, I was anxious to get out to the stand. My second evening out, September 21, was a nice cool evening with winds out of the west. With all the acorns littering the oak flat, along with the cool temps, I was heading to one of my favorite stand sites on the edge of a marsh.

Approximately forty five minutes after getting settled in the stand I heard something moving through the six foot tall grass about fifty yards from me. Within seconds, a beautiful chocolate racked buck emerged from the swamp and started to make his way towards me. I was at full draw when he passed by at ten yards and I watched him pile up only thirty yards from where the Slick Trick opened him up. As I sat there trying to absorb what had just occurred I couldn’t believe that only a few hours into the new season I had a bruiser on the ground. I gathered up my gear, descended the tree, and made my way over to the edge of the oak flat where the buck lay. He was a beautiful four or five year buck with tremendous mass, tall tines, and ended up weighing 250 pounds and scoring 140”.

Hunting the swamps early in the season can obviously yield great results, especially when there are hot food sources nearby. With the warmer temperatures, mature bucks will bed in these locations to cool off and then make their way to the oaks to feed in the evenings. In this particular situation, I set up on a trail that leads out of the swamp and into the oak flat to the north. Because it was still a couple hours before dark, the buck decided to get an acorn snack in an area that was still very close to his sanctuary and where he felt safe during daylight hours.

Many hunters focus much of their early season on hunting field crops, which are excellent choices, but don’t overlook the whitetails love for white acorns. This particular buck could have decided to feed in the fields to the south, and he more than likely would have after it was dark. If you are fortunate enough to have marshes and swamps that border a stand of mast trees, this has all the makings of a great early season ambush. Often, these swamp edge locations can be easily accessed without disturbing the deer which can be hard to do when you are hunting field edges. Usually after dark, the deer have made their way to the fields and you can slip out of your stand undetected. I have seen plenty of good bucks during the early pre rut hunting the swamps, at a time when hunters usually see the fewest bucks all season. One thing to keep in mind is to not over hunt these locations and always hunt the right wind for your setup. Usually these spots will make good locations to pick off cruising bucks during the rut, so you want to hunt them sparingly.

As the new season approaches, take a look to see if you might be overlooking some great swamps to hunt and you may find yourself tagging out early.