green horn not sure where to start???????

[mike the irish]

so i am a green horn when it comes to hunting. i am a avid target shooter, but would like to start deer hunting. i have land, well stocked with deer, i have my gun lic. and hunting lic. but aside from that i dont really know what i need and what to do. any way for someone to learn to hunt(everyone around me doesnt hunt)?

cheers
Mike

[GW11]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You have plenty of time to get ready for the deer season so a good place to start is to read back through some old threads here in the big game, bowhunting and hunting 101 sections. Plenty of good info on deer hunting.

Without knowing anything about your property (acreage/fields/bush/food/water/etc.) it's hard to give you anything but a generalization. Try to find out where the deer spend the day on or near your property, their bedding area in other words. Also find out where they usually go to eat. If you can figure out where their main travel routes are between these areas you're in business. Set up a blind or treestand on the downwind side of the trail at a comfortable shooting distance. Wind direction is key. You don't want your scent blowing in the direction of where you expect them to come from. Scale back on scouting as the season approaches.

Give us a few more details about your property and I'm sure others will chime in with some advice. You'll likely even get offers from some people here to come and give you a few pointers if you have land and deer to hunt. Good luck!

[MikePal]

Welcome to the forum...

..as GW11 has said lots of good info in the archives and guys willing to help you. If you already have a place to hunt that is half the battle. Spend time on a range during the summer getting your shooting skills up to ensure you can hit the deers vitals with a clean shot.

Good luck !!

[blasted_saber]

I would watch several youtube videos on how to gut and clean a deer. Then how to skin it. Have a butcher lined up who will do deer.

[TurkeyRookie]

Welcome to the forum, I suggest you invite me to your well stocked deer property, and I can give you a 1 on 1 lesson come November

JK.

Lots of knowledgeable people here.

Agree with Blasted_Saber, knowing what to do after the shot, is one of the most important things before actually taking one.

As far as actually getting out hunting, knowing your property, learning how the deer move throughout it, where they bed, feed, etc are all things that come while scouting, then stand placement (stand, ground blind) based on the wind directions you typically have on your property (don't place a stand up wind of the main trail the deer walk in on, etc)

Since it's your property, may want to do some reading on food plots, what the deer like to eat and what you can provide them. Etc.

It's an addiction, so have fun!

[pbonura]

Looking for a mentor. Find someone who lives close to you and have them out at your place and help you set up. Save you and provide an hunter on opportunity. With a mentor you can learn a lot quicker and bag some deer. Also buy a crossbow or bow. Longer season and bow hunters know quite alot about deer hunting .

[blasted_saber]

Looking for a mentor. Find someone who lives close to you and have them out at your place and help you set up. Save you and provide an hunter on opportunity. With a mentor you can learn a lot quicker and bag some deer. Also buy a crossbow or bow. Longer season and bow hunters know quite alot about deer hunting .

So do gun hunters.

[Waftrudnir]

if you have land with deer, you ahead of the crowd...
the question is if you want to DIY the first year or have a mentor until you have established a solid foundation.
getting a mentor can be hard for those who don't have land to hunt as they need a mentor who is willing to offer them their land (and the best spot in most cases). many of us have done so, but it is something you won't do for a stranger over the www.
you problem is to choose someone you can learn from and you can be picky (as long as you have deer on your land come hunting season). get your antlerless tag, find some mentor (I bet people will start sending you messages) - better find the right one (some people are doing the same BS for decades and will never learn a thing and others are born know-it-alls, until you ask them to prove it...), spend some time scouting your land, make sure you have enough time during the season (archery or rifle). shooting doesn't sound to be a problem (although practise under expected conditions never hurts. it's not always the same as target shooting, just a little bit of practice will make you better than average hunter in no time). butchering is not rocket science (many people prefer a butcher, but that's a more personal decision IMO). field dressing is fool-proof IF you have done it 2 or 3 times, if not you'll look like a fool... DIY (via youtube) is possible. if you have an ATV or any other means suitable for your land to retrieve the deer may make things even easier.
from the limited info you provided, it sounds like you are better positioned than you think and you have plenty of time left to get it done right
good luck!

[GoldenLakePete]

Welcome to the forum!

Do you know your neighbours? Are you new to you property or do you know the area well? If not - get out and scout the property.
Look for deer sign.
I once rented a 100 acre farm that looked good but there wasn't a single deer on it until December 24th when every deer in the area came down to yard up for the winter.

If your neighbours are deer hunters they likely know your property as well as their own. Talk to them. If they do drives either with or without dogs maybe you could get in on it.

If everyone hunts from stands maybe they could still give you some pointers on where to place your tree or ground stand(s).

If you can find a place where 2 or more deer trails intersect - put up a tree stand where you can watch down each trail. Get out well before the season opens and cut out any brush/tree limbs that would block your shot.

What kind of stand are you going to use? I use a homemade 16' ladder stand. Forum member Mikepal has a tree mansion! The more comfortable you are the longer you can stay out and your chances will likely be better.

Spend some money on good warm/waterproof/windproof clothing, hats, gloves and boots. More comfort = more time in the field.

[AxeBrothers]

Read, read as much as you can about deer hunting then put boots on the ground. Also if you are able to go out with an experienced hunter that is probably one of the best ways to learn the trade. I learned by trial and error and lots of reading be patient and don't give up.

-Rob