Description
How to Hunt Deer With Proven Success: A Comprehensive Guide to Help Bowhunters Harvest Bigger Bucks and More Deer provides an incredible amount of information to do exactly what the title indicates. It is intended for the entire gamut of hunters, from beginner to advanced hunters. For beginners, Sean takes the time to go through all the key pieces of equipment used in hunting. He explains the use and if it is imperative or just optional. He also explains bow setup and tuning to help every bowhunter ensure his or her equipment is properly set up.
After the preliminary foundation is set for proper equipment, Sean goes in depth how to scout deer effectively. He also discusses how deer sign and its meaning will change throughout the year and how that fits in to effective hunting strategies. In addition, Sean explains how to understand deer body language and vocalizations and provides in-depth details on how to call deer throughout every phase of the hunting season. He also explains how to change hunting strategies in each phase of the season to keep your success high. He not only incorporates how to read topographic maps and aerial photos to enhance success, but he even explains how to process and cook a harvested animal. Simply put, this publication has everything you need to take your skills to the next level. Whether you are a newbie starting out or a seasoned hunter, there are concepts and ideas that are bound to help you improve your level of success in the woods.
To give you an idea of how comprehensive this book is, view the table of contents listed below.
Introduction_ i
Chapter 1 – Getting Started_ 1
CHOOSING YOUR BOW, ARROWS, AND ACCESSORIES_ 1
How to Choose a Bow and Calculate Draw Length_ 1
Anchor Point and Basic Archery Form_ 3
Release Aids 6
Understanding and Picking Arrows 8
Fixed Blade VS Mechanical Broadhead_ 16
Sight Options 22
Quiver Options 25
Stabilizer Options 26
COMPOUND BOW SETUP AND TUNING BASICS_ 26
CROSSBOW BASICS_ 31
OTHER THINGS YOU MAY WANT OR NEED FOR HUNTING_ 34
Hunting License_ 34
Camouflage Clothing 39
Backpack 41
Knives 43
Flashlights 44
Deer Calls 44
Range Finder 45
Binoculars 47
Bow Hoist 48
Gloves 49
Face Covering 50
Handheld GPS 51
First Aid / Toiletries / Miscellaneous 54
TREE STANDS, SADDLES, CLIMBING STICKS, AND GROUND BLINDS_ 56
Ladder Stands 56
Climbing Stands 57
Hang-on Stands 58
Portable Climbing Sticks 59
Ladder Sticks 60
Saddle Hunting 60
Bow Holder 62
Ground Blinds 64
WHERE TO HUNT AND ASKING FOR PERMISSION_ 66
Chapter 2 – Scouting and Pre-Hunt Prep_ 73
GENERAL SCOUTING TECHNIQUES_ 73
Food Sources 73
Scouting tips 75
Deer Scat 86
Tracks 89
Trails 93
Buck Rubs 97
Scrapes 104
Bedding Areas 110
INTERPRETING DEER SIGN IN DIFFERENT SEASONS_ 123
SHOT PLACEMENT_ 124
TREE STAND / GROUND BLIND PLACEMENT_ 132
Playing the Wind_ 136
Understanding Thermals 140
UNDERSTANDING AND HUNTING THE PHASES OF THE RUT_ 142
Rut Cycle, Sun, Moon, and Weather 142
Pre-Rut 146
The Rut 154
Post-Rut 157
DEER BEHAVIORS AND CALLING TECHNIQUES_ 161
Calling in the Pre-Rut 171
Calling in the Rut 178
Calling in the Post-Rut 188
SCENT ELIMINATION AND COVER SCENT_ 192
DEER SCENTS, MOCK SCRAPES, AND DECOYS_ 194
BAITING AND FOOD PLOTS_ 205
DEER DRIVES FOR BOWHUNTING_ 209
TRAINING FOR BUCK FEVER_ 218
THE GRUNT-STOP TECHNIQUE_ 221
PRACTICE JUDGING YARDAGE_ 222
DO NOT RUIN YOUR HUNTING SPOTS_ 225
UNDERSTANDING HOW TO SCORE A BUCK’S RACK_ 227
WHAT KIND OF HUNTER WILL YOU BE?_ 230
QUALITY DEER MANAGEMENT_ 235
Chapter 3 – Hunting, Harvesting, Eating_ 246
ATTITUDE AND MINDSET FOR SUCCESS_ 246
STALKING AND STILL-HUNTING_ 248
THE NIGHT BEFORE A TREE STAND HUNT_ 259
BEFORE REACHING THE TREE STAND_ 263
GETTING SET UP AND HUNTING_ 264
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHOT_ 275
HOW TO TRACK A HIT DEER_ 278
HOW TO GUT A DEER_ 284
TIPS FOR DRAGGING YOUR DEER OUT_ 286
HOW TO SKIN AND PROCESS A DEER_ 287
Caping the Deer Hide for Mounting 296
Processing Backstraps 299
Processing the Back Leg 301
Processing the Shank Meat 303
Processing the Front Leg 303
Processing the Neck 304
Processing Ribs, Ground Meat, and Miscellaneous 304
BASIC WAYS TO COOK DEER MEAT_ 306
Backstraps and Tenderloin_ 306
Steaks 308
Roasts and Stew_ 310
Tacos 311
Chili 312
Burger 314
Meat Sauce_ 315
Sausage and Bologna 316
Jerky 316
BOOK WRITING UPDATE_ 317
Chapter 4 – Digital Scouting_ 320
UNDERSTANDING TOPOGRAPHIC LINES_ 320
HILLTOPS / RIDGE TOPS_ 321
SADDLES_ 325
DRAWS_ 333
SPURS_ 335
BENCHES_ 337
BLUFFS_ 341
MIDWEST FINGERS_ 343
AERIAL PHOTOS_ 347
Oxbows 348
Using Topo Maps and Aerial Photos Together 350
PLANNING A SCOUTING TRIP, AND MRC ADVICE_ 357
GOING IN BLIND_ 363
Conclusion_ 365
