The first step to success in bow hunting a deer is picking the right spot. I first learned about a safe treestand from a friend, and I was thrilled to use it to take down my very first deer. I also learned how to use a safety harness and pin to get a proper stand. Here are the tips I’ve learned over the years. I hope this article has been useful. Please feel free to share your experiences as well.
Shooting a deer
If you’re new to bow hunting, it’s important to learn the basics before going out to the woods to kill your game. While most deer will react to a shot, they tend to react more violently if they’re alarmed than if they’re calm. When a loud sound hits them, such as an apple hitting the ground or the release of an arrow, they automatically compress their legs. Hunters often call this reflex ducking the arrow, which is a natural flight response.
A quartering-away shot is one of the most effective bowhunting shots. The angle provides a lot of forgiveness. Your arrow will exit the deer halfway through its body and will probably pass through one lung. As the angle increases, however, the arrows will exit further back and enter the deer on the near side. As they move away from the broadside, the point of aim will also shift.
Another way to shoot a deer when bow hunting is with a quartering-to shot. This technique is especially effective at close range. It allows you to get a good view of the vital organs of the deer, such as the heart and lungs. In addition to having a better shot, quartering-to shots will allow you to reduce the time it takes to track down the animal.
The most important thing to remember when bow hunting is to aim properly. Aim your broadside shot at the deer’s shoulder, about 1/3 of the way up its body. If you’re sitting in a treestand or elevated blind, you should aim at the mid-point of the deer’s chest. This way, your arrow will pass through both lungs, making the shot lethal.
Using a treestand
Using a treestand when bow hunting is a good way to stay organized, safe, and comfortable while bow hunting. This is a great way to enjoy a different perspective on your hunt, and few things are as thrilling as watching the forest come to life in the early morning. It is also important to make sure that you have two pin distances, as it can be easy to accidentally spook a deer with falling chunks of mud.
The most important reason for using a treestand when bow hunting deer is to maximize your chances of spotting the rut. Deer often move through a narrow corridor surrounded by tons of fallen timber and fast-moving rivers. If you’re hunting in these areas, a treestand is a great tool to help you spot deer before they cross it, as it will allow you to see both sides of the funnel. This will increase your chances of being able to hit a buck with a bow.
To get started, you will need to climb the steps and secure your lifeline. If you’re using a ladder stand, be sure to hang it up well before the hunt. However, it can be a challenge to haul a ladder a mile or more back into public land. Climbing stands are a better option if you plan to go through several miles of wilderness and want to take down your stand after every hunt. However, they are difficult to find a tree that’s straight with few limbs.
As with any hunting technique, treestand placement is crucial. It will be important to place your stand near an area where deer are feeding, bedding, or traveling corridor. Getting up close to a deer is critical to success, so make sure you get as close to him as possible. A treestand can also help you blend in with the natural environment, which is important when bow hunting. This way, you will be invisible to the deer as they move by.
Using a safety harness
Using a safety harness when bow hunting is crucial for your safety. While bowhunters never expect to die while hunting, many have fallen from their stand and been left hanging by the string. Whether a lifeline or safety harness is necessary or not depends on the situation and personal preference. While a safety harness is the best choice for your safety, you should also wear a lifeline for added security.
When using a safety harness, you should always wear it and know how to properly use the suspension release strap. Make sure that you and all members of your party are always connected to the treestand and to each other. Hunter Safety System regularly receives reports from hunters that it has saved the lives of many. To learn more about the importance of wearing a safety harness while bow hunting deer, read this article!
To ensure your safety, use a safety harness whenever you are bow hunting. It should be sturdy enough to support the weight of your bow. The harness should also have a suspension release strap that relieves pressure on the thighs. A harness should be attached to a strong tree to prevent you from falling. You should also carry a cell phone, situational awareness, and other safety gear. It is always best to wear a safety harness and make sure the tree is sturdy enough to support the weight of the stand.
Make sure you buy a harness that fits well. While some new hunters find the full-body harness intimidating, it will become second nature after some practice. If you’re wearing a heavy jacket, it’s best to wear it under your outer-most top layer. That way, the harness straps won’t obstruct your jacket’s pockets. If you’re not wearing a jacket, you’ll be more comfortable with it if it fits well.
Using a pin
Using a pin to bow hunt deers is a great way to give yourself the maximum amount of shooting range possible. This type of sight comes with a reference guide and a tape with yardage marks. The pin is then slid into position. You can then adjust the range up or down by fifteen yards. It also means that you can shoot at varying ranges, from five to eighty yards.
To calibrate your pin for different distances, measure the target from about 30 yards away, or 40 yards. You may want to use a third pin, if you feel comfortable with this distance. Then, extend the bow and aim for the pin in the bull’s-eye. Once you’ve measured the distance to the target, power back the string evenly, without overbowing. Aiming lower will help you engage the target faster, and there will be less movement to alert a sharp-eyed deer.
In the case of the buck that you want to take down, you’ll have to determine the range. Using the McKenzie 3D mule deer target, the arrow must be at a distance of twenty yards to thirty yards. The arrow should hit the deer at about that distance or slightly higher. Using a pin is not a fool-proof method, but it will give you a better chance of success.
Another benefit of a pin sight is that it saves you time. When hunting in the mountains, you do not have to adjust yardage in order to take a shot. Using a pin sight will save you countless seconds and help you target the animal in less time. This feature makes your pre-shot routine much easier and more effective. It will also allow you to see the animal from both sides of the pin.
Using the wind
Using the wind can help you get a better shot at deer. The deer use the wind to their advantage when possible. You should position your stand in an area where the wind blows the opposite direction. This will help you position yourself on the downwind side of the bedding area or trail. You should also know the way the wind moves in your location to minimize your exposure to predators. Many hunters think hunting in the wind is useless. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Unlike people, deer have more sensitive senses than humans. This means that you can use camouflage suits or other quiet gear to get closer to the buck. Using the wind when bow hunting deer can make the difference between success and failure. You can fool the buck’s senses by staying out of his scent trail. It’s also important to keep your scent out of the buck’s nose.
Using the wind when bow hunting deer involves knowing where the wind is blowing. You need to know which direction it’s blowing when you set up your stand. You should also have a compass handy to check the wind direction at the exact moment you’re ready to hunt. If you don’t want to carry one, you can always use mapping apps and drop pins on your stands for the day.
The winds can change direction depending on the topography of the area. Look for areas with a small creek with a few rocks or pockets of land. The wind will be ebb and flow there. The wind will also bounce off of objects. A large object will make the wind column bounce back in the opposite direction. By taking note of these factors, you will be able to increase your chances of success in hunting.