I don't know many people that are masters at anything. What must it take to be a master deer hunter?

Is a master deer hunter someone who knows all about the whitetail/mule/blacktail deer?
I don't think so. I know some folks who seem to know everything there is about deer but their hunting skills leave something to be desired. Getting a high score on a deer hunting quiz just doesn't cut it.

Is a master deer hunter someone who has killed lots of deer?
I don't think so. A lot of people simply shoot a lot of deer because they hunt in areas that has "a lot of deer". If you make a mistake or error in judgement when hunting with a populaions of 60 deer per square mile, well it's probably not a big deal. Wait a while, there are more deer around. If you make that mistake when hunting with only 6 deer per square mile, well it may be a loooong time before you get to taste venison again.

Is a master deer hunter someone who is a great shot?
I don't think so. I know some guys who would make you shake your head at the incredible shots they can make. Shooting at a target is one thing, shooting at that buck, big enough to take your breath away, is a whole different ball game.

So what makes a master deer hunter?
This I think to be true.....Someone who possess all of the above skills. Someone who knows all about deer, their habits their survival techniques, their physical/emotional changes as each season changes..etc.

That person will probably shoot a lot of deer, even in areas with low deer numbers., because he/she will probably be a great shot. Spending time necessary where he/she knows their weapon inside and out and feels confident in what shots can and cannot be made. Also spending necesary time scouting to gather all of the most recent information to form a game plan. Spending time in the deer woods trying to constantly learn new things and also remember old things that were discovered in past scouting trips.

That person will collectively shoot many deer over the years because he/she will put all the pieces together in their grand master plan. That person has definitely made many mistakes in the past but tries to not only not make that same mistake twice but also tries to learn from every mistake made.

If you are a master of knowing all about deer, a master at shooting your weapon of choice to the point of being extraordinary and be a master of killing many, many deer year after year in areas that have few deer, then I would consider you a Master Deer Hunter.

I have hunted over 45 years with many people in my life and I have yet to meet that person! Some are very good, others on the edge of greatness, but a Master Deer Hunter?...I don't think so.

That's why we keep trying. Always gaining more knowledge about the game we hunt, practicing our shooting in the hopes of always making a clean, humane kill and most important, we continue to enjoy what deer hunting is all about and what it means to each and every one of us.

Good Hunting!