Whats changed since the first time?
 

I was just wondering what you guys have changed the most since your first hunt.
Personally I take scent tactics alot more seariously, I have also learned the senses of a deer are much stronger than I originally thought.

My question is whats the most important thing you've learned thats helped you bag more deer? What will you guys change for next season?

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I have better equipment
More stands to choose from and rotate
Better land to hunt
There are more deer
I am much older:D

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I think my shooting ability is the biggest difference in my hunting from then to now. Some has to do with the equipment, and some has to do with the fact that I wasn't very good at shooting at live animals when I was 8 years old.

Man that got me to thinking about how ever since the first time I went hunting for deer, I was 6 and had a crossbow, there is nothing in the world thatgives me a rush like a deer that I am going to try to shoot coming in to my stand. I didn't get one when I was 6, but I almost got a shot at a button buck one nightand I can remember it like it was yesterday. That was 20 years ago. I love this sport.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

My two biggest would be stand location/coverage. Especially when the leaves have dropped.

The next would be scent control.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I would have to say stand placement and ground blind set - up.
Picking the right tree where you know the deer are going to be traveling and choosing the right area for your ground blind.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

well i have changed how long i stay in my stand. When i first started i would get out of my stand too soon. Now i stay in my stand until i have to get out i stay until 1:30 then go back befor 3. I have seen a lot more deer this way.

I also take my scent control more serious. I did not at first but now i do.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I have learned the following......

K. Keep
I. It
S. Simple
S. Stupid

The longer I hunt and the older I get the more this makes sense to me.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

WOW. Where to begin???????

The first time I hunted a whitetail deer......I was really just taking my son. This was October of '05. I drove 40 minutes to a woodlot of 15 acres that was the only place I had permission to hunt. I did go there a week ahead of time to "look around". I saw some rubs.....and thought "hey....looks like a good spot".

We did see 3 does, that first morning.....but the thing that came out of that hunt.....was my obsession with pursuing and learning about these animals. I've read everything I could get my hands on. I've watched every show. I've picked you guys brains. I've gotten access to some GREAT land (and NEVER, EVER, EVER make light of this. THIS is the key to killing deer. PERIOD. You CAN NOT KILL what isn't there), too.

I went into the woods that first morning with my blind in one hand.....and my soft bow case in the other. Scent control????? lol
Since then I'm a scent control fanatic. I've become proficient with my bow. I've leaned the deer I hunt and where they are at different times of the season.....week....DAY.

I can't believe how much I've learned in a short time.....and that I STILL learn something every time out. I suppose I always will.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Scent control and better recognition of deer sign.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I took my 1st Deer with a bow my 2nd season in 1958. I have learned TONs in 50 years of Bowhunting.
NEVER think you have them figured out.
I let more walk within bow range than I shoot at. (just selective on Bucks). Take a Doe (this is hard for old guy-I AM old school).

I have let several Bucks & a few Does pass but I did take one in Nov.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

My waist is about 4 sizes bigger..........I have much more poise..... Much more experience...... Shooting a "harder" weapon..... Too many things to list.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Frommy first hunt over 40 years ago to my last hunt this year, I have changed every single thing there was to change. My clothes, weapon, stand, tactics.... everything.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

The best advice i have gained and can share is EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. Do not look around quicly expecting a deer not to be looking at you. If you do not think your buck will come in wait it out. Seems like when you think one thingm another happens so be ready at all times.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I have to agree with GregH except its been 25 years for me. The only thing that is the same is going out and enjoying the woods.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I would have to say matching my bow poundage with my arrow wheight, shot placement, and giving plenty of time before I take up a trail.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

While pretty much everything has changed, the 2 biggest are that I am a more confident shooter, and that I don't go to the same tree for every hunt for the entire season.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I ask questions and seek to learn more about what I do not know. Even more important, I no longer rely on bad advice from lazy, sloppyor ignorant hunters and look to those that are in the know, more seriousand love hunting as much as I do. I could list a hundred things that have changed.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Everything, but mostly my dedication to the sport.

I eat, sleep, and breathe bow hunting. Ask anyone who knows me personally what it is that drives me and they'll all tell you the same thing; bow hunting.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I killed my first whitetail buck 25 years ago. That unexplainablefeeling of walking upon the dead animal is the one thing that hasn't changed.

My greatest changes include;The amount of timeI spendscouting, weapon of choice the bow onlythese days,high-tech water proof clothing has made a huge difference in this climate, gaining a thorough understanding of the biology and behaviorsof the deer in my areaand using the treestand for ambush.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Sounds pretty much like everything!;)

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Anyone learn anything about rattlin' or grunting this rut????

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I don't hunt for the kill, I hunt for the hunt

That simplicity changes everything from the equipment I use to how I use it, to my goals for each season.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

i have changed just about everything. equipment, strategy, camo, location, stands, KNOWLEDGE OF DEER.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I learned a "trick" to rattling ,if u want to call it that.
I get to my stand a half hour before first light and rattle and gruntin the dark. it's amazing how many bucks and does alike will respond. I'm not sure if it has to do with the darkness.I think so. Maybe it's because they can't see as far.
You really need to try it a couple times. I use scent bombs to keep them in close till shooting light. It doesn't always hold them but if the deer are in the right mood they'll stick close.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

I've never used one, how often do you use them and for how long do you get a reaction??

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Have confidence in your stand location, if you are not seeing anything don't just sit, after about 1 1/2 days I go to another stand site, an I make sure I have about 3 or 4 other good choices.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

Let me clarify a term...I mean scent wick as opposed to scent bomb.

It depends I suppose on the location of the deer when u start your sequence. I have had some does hang around a curiosity scent for a half hour.
Most bucks i've had come in don't stay as long. i think they do not see what they are looking for. I managed to call one back in w/ a grunt after leaving but it was a young 4 point.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

After 30 years of bow hunting this is the best advice ever. we tend to take it for more than it is. keep the wind in your face, hunt slow, shoot straight. heck you don't even need camo.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

My entire approach... everything from equipment to strategy and everything in between.

RE: Whats changed since the first time?
 

My first hunt was with a group of people I was stationed with. They were shoot first then see what it is. Since then I have changed with age and experince. Also who I choose to hunt with and the people I disscuss hunting with.