What without a doubt simply works?

Play the wind, patience, don’t move etc etc... all the typical non negotiable tactics of deer hunting. We all know this.

What I want to know is what do you do year in and year out that you without a doubt know works when you’re deer hunting? What tricks do you Swear by, products, bait, scent, home remedies etc. What are some off the beaten path, not spoken about often, unfamiliar yet sure fire things that bring success each year?

for me, where I hunt if I put out any amount of RED only apples during the season, I will have deer show up there within 1-3 days tops!!

what’s your trick?

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Originally Posted by marky.mark

Play the wind, patience, don’t move etc etc... all the typical non negotiable tactics of deer hunting. We all know this.

What I want to know is what do you do year in and year out that you without a doubt know works when you’re deer hunting? What tricks do you Swear by, products, bait, scent, home remedies etc. What are some off the beaten path, not spoken about often, unfamiliar yet sure fire things that bring success each year?

for me, where I hunt if I put out any amount of RED only apples during the season, I will have deer show up there within 1-3 days tops!!

what’s your trick?

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I'd say not letting yourself get mentally worn down. It's easy enough to get into a negative frame of mind if things haven't been going your way. What works for me is to maintain the belief that as long as you're hunting where there are deer that anything can happen at just about any moment, usually when you're least expecting it to.

Keeping a positive outlook. Sounds corny, but it can make the difference between being ready when your chance arrives or getting caught of guard and blowing that chance.

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#1 for me is Mobile Treestand Hunting. I rarely sit in the same tree twice over the course of the 3 month bow season. I'm able to watch patterns and move-in accordingly. I never burn-out a spot by over hunting it. I can sit somewhere fresh on every sit based on the wind and access. It's more work, but definitely worth it if you spend a lot of time in the deer woods

Lots of still hunting in the key areas you expect to find deer..... So field edges during the morning/late afternoon and deeper in the bush during the day. Like it was mentioned, keep it simple, watch the wind, move slowly, always looking ahead and through the trees, bush or corn rows.

I call,a lot.Seems to be working....,mostly.If they are within earshot.

Trying to lure in a buck,more then once i lured in a doe (does )too...........be ready after the call,and be alert at least 20 min,or You juts blow your deer coming in to your call(ask me how i know)

Limit human intrusion. Too much Pressure is a sure fire way to tag soup..

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Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

Limit human intrusion. Too much Pressure is a sure fire way to tag soup..

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^^^^^^ This!! ^^^^^ The problem is that's easier said than done,especially,when hunting Crown or public land.

patience is #1
comfort is #2 if your not comfortable youll be moving alot trying to get comfortable and can't concentrate on hunting. keep the phone away.

Play the wind, dont burn out a spot and get to your stand at least 1hr before sunrise.

Hunt where the signs tells you to hunt dont just pick any old deer trail and hope for the best. Knowledge of what signs to hunt and when is important.

Those are my success tips.

I've learned a few things over the years that have made me a better deer hunter. In no particular order, here are some tips: Read whatever you can about deer and deer hunting. Pay attention to what successful hunters are doing. Old timers aren't necessarily the best hunters, be objective. Go into the woods properly equipped for a period longer than you intend to be out. Have a plan but be flexible. Don't leave a stand too early. Don't over-hunt your stand; have alternative stand sites. Try to hunt all day; bring a lunch. Be familiar with the general area --> know how deer use the area. Know where other hunters are likely to be. Get away from the crowds but don't overlook those small woodlots next to the road. Try calling and rattling, but don't overdo it. If you see a deer that you don't intend to shoot, remain quiet and leave it alone; you never know what might be following.

Simple! Hunt where the deer are. If there is no sign, don't waste your time.

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

I've learned a few things over the years that have made me a better deer hunter. In no particular order, here are some tips: Read whatever you can about deer and deer hunting. Pay attention to what successful hunters are doing. Old timers aren't necessarily the best hunters, be objective. Go into the woods properly equipped for a period longer than you intend to be out. Have a plan but be flexible. Don't leave a stand too early. Don't over-hunt your stand; have alternative stand sites. Try to hunt all day; bring a lunch. Be familiar with the general area --> know how deer use the area. Know where other hunters are likely to be. Get away from the crowds but don't overlook those small woodlots next to the road. Try calling and rattling, but don't overdo it. If you see a deer that you don't intend to shoot, remain quiet and leave it alone; you never know what might be following.

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Great summary Sam.I like especially the advice to learn as much as it is possible.It is priceless.There is never to much knowledge which one can absorb. If interested .Many people i know skip this step,for whatever reason.
Mind You,for different style of hunting,different set of knowledge is needed.Of course -basics, like wind ,movement,concealment are a must for most of the hunting styles.
I have a friend,quite experienced deer hunter,and quite successful too.He knows his areas very good-yet since he hunts private,of that 70% over bait,he may would be lost in public woods-especially crowded,pay for use places.His knowledge when to bait,what to use for bait,and when to hunt baits with most success ,would be useless in public places.
Other thing is important-keep the lessons learned "handy"and try to apply them as applicable.More then once it took me few trips/occasions or failures to realize-i knew about this one,just failed to recognize it.

Having a bit of luck always helps!

But seriously, after doing right all the basic thigs always mentioned (wind, movement, scent, stealth, comfort, patience, confidence, knowing your firearm, & knowing your limits, etc. ...) you still need to be in a spot where deer will likely travel within range during legal shooting hours.
In my experience, finding such places is actually the key to success. It requires good safe bedding area nearby (swamps are the best), easy access to food source/fields, and no hunting disturbance. If public, it must be as far-away and and hard to access as possible.
I know one of these spots, and hunt it only once or twice a season.

Since deer are living animals, they can be unpredictable. Having said that, deer (especially does and fawns) can develop habits e.g. using the same feeding/bedding areas, travel routes, etc. Deer tend to stick to these habits until an interruption happens. To be successful, you need to be aware of these habits and slip into areas without bothering the deer. Locating travel routes, particularly funnels, is a great way to successfully get onto deer.

My CTC Muck Boots..never let me down, always work.

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Originally Posted by GW11

I'd say not letting yourself get mentally worn down. It's easy enough to get into a negative frame of mind if things haven't been going your way. What works for me is to maintain the belief that as long as you're hunting where there are deer that anything can happen at just about any moment, usually when you're least expecting it to.

Keeping a positive outlook. Sounds corny, but it can make the difference between being ready when your chance arrives or getting caught of guard and blowing that chance.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

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THIS, there has been a couple times when we come back for the day where thoughts go through my head ( will I even see one this year)

Next morning my mindset seems to change instantly, every moment I'm out there scanning the bush lines and repeating to myself they're comin they're here, sure enough an hour later 1 pops out.

State of mind is king!

It does seem stupid now that I type it out, but honestly I feel like that has helped alot. It also takes you longer to get cold when you're thinking that way, this isn't just for whitetail goes for everything :)

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A STRANGE technique to deal with scent issues. Had a co-worker that started to wear his hunting clothes at work about two or three months before season. After work he would stop by his stand and hang them in the stand. Everyday he replaced the outfit with a freshly wore one. Now this was on a farm, so may not work so good in the woods.

1. Bait and wind.

Bait early and consistently. Make sure the winds in your face and your not blocking the deers usual travel route.

Might not get the biggest bucks but you will see deer.

2. Get out in the woods, not going to see anything in the cabin for lunch.

3. Walk if feasible. Not going to see anything driving out to your stand on a four wheeler. Have shot multiple deers walking in.


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Originally Posted by Bowjob

THIS, there has been a couple times when we come back for the day where thoughts go through my head ( will I even see one this year)

Next morning my mindset seems to change instantly, every moment I'm out there scanning the bush lines and repeating to myself they're comin they're here, sure enough an hour later 1 pops out.

State of mind is king!

It does seem stupid now that I type it out, but honestly I feel like that has helped alot. It also takes you longer to get cold when you're thinking that way, this isn't just for whitetail goes for everything :)

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

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Right on! A positive attitude in all things is very important not only when hunting,but,with life in general. I always try to find the good in everything,even when the bottom seems to be falling out of everything around us.

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

Try calling and rattling, but don't overdo it. If you see a deer that you don't intend to shoot, remain quiet and leave it alone; you never know what might be following.

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This is the reason I don't apply for doe tag. I can't count how many times a buck or bucks were following behind just out of sight from a doe or does. If I had pulled the trigger I'd never known the nice bucks that I would have missed out on. Some were close behind, some were 5-30mins behind.
I hunt for meat not antlers, I want the heaviest animal for the most amount of meat.

Avoid the erect white tail and the flared tarsal glands as much as possible, especially if you're hunting the entire bow season on small properties or limited access.

It's the view we've all seen many times, the white flag bounding away, but rarely mentioned is that there's an alarm/danger scent associated with a spooked deer that's hightailing it away from you.

Sometimes it's impossible to prevent, but a lot of times it's not.
Alert a deer hard enough and their tail and rump will flare up and their tarsal glands will swell, causing a smell that all deer downwind will associate with danger and any droplets that fall to the ground can linger for days.

Have this occur in feeding or bedding areas over a couple of days in a row and most mature deer will all but vacate those areas during daylight hours. If your real unlucky they'll abandon those areas all together and find new sources.

I look at my hunting spots this way.
I figure it's a given that the most mature bucks in my area will immediately start reducing their daylight activity the minute they start smelling my scent that I'm leaving in all the places they like to visit.
If I'm creating alarm scent along with my scent too often in areas I plan to hunt, I'll be just simply adding a lot more deer to that list and possibly making the dominant bucks completely nocturnal.

Understanding the deer's body language and knowing how your body language forces a deer's response is paramount in preventing the unneeded smell of danger throughout your hunting area.

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Originally Posted by onelessarrow

Avoid the erect white tail and the flared tarsal glands as much as possible, especially if you're hunting the entire bow season on small properties or limited access.

It's the view we've all seen many times, the white flag bounding away, but rarely mentioned is that there's an alarm/danger scent associated with a spooked deer that's hightailing it away from you.

Sometimes it's impossible to prevent, but a lot of times it's not.
Alert a deer hard enough and their tail and rump will flare up and their tarsal glands will swell, causing a smell that all deer downwind will associate with danger and any droplets that fall to the ground can linger for days.

Have this occur in feeding or bedding areas over a couple of days in a row and most mature deer will all but vacate those areas during daylight hours. If your real unlucky they'll abandon those areas all together and find new sources.

I look at my hunting spots this way.
I figure it's a given that the most mature bucks in my area will immediately start reducing their daylight activity the minute they start smelling my scent that I'm leaving in all the places they like to visit.
If I'm creating alarm scent along with my scent too often in areas I plan to hunt, I'll be just simply adding a lot more deer to that list and possibly making the dominant bucks completely nocturnal.

Understanding the deer's body language and knowing how your body language forces a deer's response is paramount in preventing the unneeded smell of danger throughout your hunting area.

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Interesting-would you mind to share few tricks how to go about avoiding the alarm scent contamination happening?Appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by gbk

Interesting-would you mind to share few tricks how to go about avoiding the alarm scent contamination happening?Appreciate it.

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Simple dont alarm them...play the wind, dont take a shot at a deer that is in high alert, youre likely to miss and spook them and they will leave their alarm scent. Enter and exit your stands properly and at the right times. Stand placement is crucial. Dont stalk your way to your stand, deer pick up on this as hunting behavior, instead walk as if you were out for a walk and deer will just think youre a hiker and wont be alarmed. Coyotes and wolves stalk deer by moving and stopping then moving again and stopping, so they know what a predator in their area sounds like. Walk straight to your stand as quietly but not stopping and looking around just straight to your stand. If a deer heard you walking, within 30mins of silence they will assume you left or youre not dangerous and wont be worried.

If a deer sees you but can't smell you, its not that bad but if they see you and smell you, youre likely getting a snort and they will leave on high alert. That scent can linger for days and other deer will not come near for a while.

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Originally Posted by Deer Wrastler

Simple dont alarm them...play the wind, dont take a shot at a deer that is in high alert, youre likely to miss and spook them and they will leave their alarm scent. Enter and exit your stands properly and at the right times. Stand placement is crucial. Dont stalk your way to your stand, deer pick up on this as hunting behavior, instead walk as if you were out for a walk and deer will just think youre a hiker and wont be alarmed. Coyotes and wolves stalk deer by moving and stopping then moving again and stopping, so they know what a predator in their area sounds like. Walk straight to your stand as quietly but not stopping and looking around just straight to your stand. If a deer heard you walking, within 30mins of silence they will assume you left or youre not dangerous and wont be worried.

If a deer sees you but can't smell you, its not that bad but if they see you and smell you, youre likely getting a snort and they will leave on high alert. That scent can linger for days and other deer will not come near for a while.

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Thank You Deer Wrestler for the feedback-pretty much what you say is clear .
However Onelesarrow started a topic with different area of deer hunt i am not familiar with,so i am curious in that ,as a novelty .

I look at my hunting spots this way.
I figure it's a given that the most mature bucks in my area will immediately start reducing their daylight activity the minute they start smelling my scent that I'm leaving in all the places they like to visit.
If I'm creating alarm scent along with my scent too often in areas I plan to hunt, I'll be just simply adding a lot more deer to that list and possibly making the dominant bucks completely nocturnal.
Understanding the deer's body language and knowing how your body language forces a deer's response is paramount in preventing the unneeded smell of danger throughout your hunting area.

Appreciate your help.

don the big blue snowmobile suit.
its downright embarassing but for some stupid reason the deer walk right up to me when i'm wearing it...

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Originally Posted by punkrockerpj

don the big blue snowmobile suit.
its downright embarassing but for some stupid reason the deer walk right up to me when i'm wearing it...

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Amish pants works here.

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Originally Posted by punkrockerpj

don the big blue snowmobile suit.
its downright embarassing but for some stupid reason the deer walk right up to me when i'm wearing it...

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Blue is the one colour deer see well, not a good color to wear into the bush, especially if youre after older deer.

DW touched on a few good tips.
I'll repeat that it's impossible to always prevent it. But with small properties it pays to do what you can to avoid it. Some simple things to do, don't be walking around during prime time, dusk and dawn. Wait til it's dark to leave. It's not a coincidence that deer tend to run the second you start to walk again after stopping for a minute sneaking into your stand. It's Body language.
I'm a firm believer that deer won't run if they think they don't have to. Your body language is what they're immediately basing their decision on. When I'm still hunting or walking to my stand and I have a situation where I encounter a deer and there's that moment of time where we both lock eyes and realize we've been spotted, if the deer is outside of bow range, it's over. You have nothing to loose by immediately changing course, preferably the direction you came. It works.
Worst case scenario they don't run far with their tail up. Best case scenario you can reevaluate the situation and make a plan.
I have a mounted 10 pointer that I killed in his bed after we head postured to lock eyes at about 100yards, l immediately turned the opposite direction and headed over the closest knoll. I laid there for at least 15 minutes, then crawled back up the knoll to see him still laying there watching my direction. I marked a specific birch that he was laying beside, swung way around and crawled to 30 yards of that tree for a clean neck shot.
Cover is probably the biggest determining factor outside of your body language that determines whether they hightail it out of there or dip down and let you go by.
Swatting a fly off your ear is a universal symbol for calmness in animals, try it sometime when you're turning to walk away, look back as you're walking away and see their reaction.

Thanx Onelessarrow-appreciate your feedback.Good points to remember.

Leave the bow at home and take the .22 out to shoot some squirrels. That's when I see my deer!

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Originally Posted by kooka

Leave the bow at home and take the .22 out to shoot some squirrels. That's when I see my deer!

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Me, it's when I'm out back with the chainsaw :)