shoot em up man

Hello,

This is my first year for Bow/Deer Hunting. I have been out 4 times and only seen 2 does that were in thick brush about 70 yards away. My question is should I use some sort of scent or lure? Recommendations?

Second question is: are my expectations too high to think I should get a deer this year?

Thanks

ButchA

Welcome! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I too am a &quot;newbie&quot; to bowhunting and deer hunting. The guys on this board and all the boards here have been a great help. Ask anything you want. They're always ready to answer your (and my) questions.

Regarding scent, you must have Scent-free spray. Everything you have has to be scent free. Like the saying goes, a turkey can spot you from a 1/2 mile away. Well, a deer can smell you from a 1/2 mile away.

The second question should be handled by none other than the legendary &quot;Cardeer&quot;. He is viewed as a wise long beared man sitting on top of a hill, like a guru. He knows all, sees all, and offers the best advice.

Butch

Live4Huntin

Although I have been bow hunting for several years and haven't got a deer yet, I don't believe that your expectations are too high. I have screwed up several shots, for various reasons.

Last year, my brother-in-law started bow hunting with me. The first time that he went to my camp, he killed a deer.

Best of luck, and don't give up. It is not the actual kill that is exciting, it is all of the things that leads up to it. Once you have a deer walk right under your stand, you will realize what it is all about.

rockytop

shoot em, welcome to the board. ButchA is right, there's a wealth of knowlege on this board that's willing to help. I agree with Butch, you have to be scent free, scent and movement will give you away everytime. As far as lures go, I've tried them all without much success. However, there's guys on this board that swear by them. I would learn all I could about bowhunting and deer hunting first and then a few years down the road, start experimenting with lures and such. That way maybe you'll know the difference between luck and what works. good luck to you and don't hesitate to aske these bowhunters questions.

Jeepnut

This is only year two for me. I'd say you're doing fine to have seen 2 does. Hang around where the does are and when the rut kicks in you should start to see a little more action.

Are your expectations too high to think you should get a deer this year?
Absolutely not! If you're not expecting to get anything then why go out in the first place? At the end of the season, you have to be willing to accept the fact that your tag my be left unfilled, but right now it's all about positive thinking. And the only way to fill that tag is to spend time in the woods.

shoot em up man

Thanks for the encouragement. I do try to be as scent free as possible. Wash everything in the &quot;Dirt Soap&quot; as my wife refers to it. And keep it hanging outside. Going today to buy some rubber boots. So I will just keep plugging away and hoping for the best. Thanks again guys.

shoot em up man just loves to shoot em up!!!

ma_hunter

Welcome Shoot Em,

I too am new to deer hunting/ bow hunting this year, I've picked up a lot of information here. Keep in mind the some is fact and other is opinion. Great help though.

I wouldn't think your sights are set too high. Going out hunting is not really a guarantee of anything except for the time outdoors. Even the scouting for me has been great. The whole process of getting proficient with the bow, scouting, trying to develop some gameplan is great.

On Monday I get to see if I figured anything out (or am just lucky). Keep up the good thoughts, and time in the woods and I expect we all will do pretty well.

titleist

Welcome shoot em'

I also agree with the others. This is my first year bowhunting. I've never had so much fun (except for the enormous amount of $$ I've spent....Damn cabella's, dicks, and Wal mart). Like Ma said...getting good with the bow has been rewarding. Scouting has been fun. coming up with a gameplan has been a great. Poison Ivy sucks. Hanging treestands sucks and then rewarding when it's done and you sit up there visualizing the moment. The anticipation alone is unmatched. To answer your first question, I realized one thing about myself this rookie season. My bowhunting season doesn't start until October 15th in Ny and I've already become a scent free nutcase. Everything I've read, every person I've talked to swears by it. As for the expectations......mine are skyrocketing, but I won't be disappointed if I get skunked because I could walk away at the end having had a great experience in the woods. Ask these guys anything you can. Knowledge rules and these people have an abundance of it.
When the question seems to stupid to ask.....make sure you ask it. Good luck and positive thinking!!!!

fletchdp

Welcome from me too shoot em up, browse this board enough and I think your chances success will increase. These guy's have helped me alot, some pretty good coaches in here.

One comment I'd like to make is this. If your background is rifle hunting like mine was, you might be skeptical to relocate your stand. I've found many times I have had to &quot;fine tune&quot; my stand locations once you can see their patterns. Would it be possible to relocate closer to where those deer are traveling and still have a favorable wind? That has been the key to much of my sucess...Good luck and stay with it...Fletch

Good Luck All....Fletch

CLOUD 9, MN

Keep scouting looking for heavily used trails and funnels, move your stand often, keep it high(16' to 22'), keep everything scent free. I really don't like scents of lures before the rut, I think the deer get more cautious if scents and lures are not used correctly. Hunt the peak times, 2.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours before dark.

I've been out 5 times so far and seen nothing 3 times. The fourth day I swicthed stands, and bingo, I got a big doe

You'll get a deer, just keep trying! Make sure you really practice so when you get your opportunity, you can take advantage!










PRACTICE....PRACTICE....PRACTICE......SUCCESS!