| Hunting with a bow is a ton of fun and at the | | | | you are afraid of heights, you can be confident in |
| same time it is also extremely challenging. | | | | your safety harness (which you should always |
| Although a little luck doesn't hurt, the more you | | | | wear). |
| learn about archery deer hunting, the better your | | | | 3) Using your safety harness- Most climbing |
| odds will become for bagging a deer sooner than | | | | stands come with a safety harness which should |
| later. | | | | always be used. If you happen to fall, it is |
| Being unprepared the 1st time you go out is a big | | | | attached to the tree and will prevent you from |
| mistake most new hunters will make (I did the | | | | falling all the way to the ground. I know a local |
| same when I 1st started). After talking with | | | | guy who fell out of his stand from 12 feet up |
| several seasoned and beginner hunters, I put | | | | (pretty low) and broke his neck. It doesn't have |
| together a list of the top 5 most common | | | | to be a very far fall to get seriously hurt. Wear |
| mistakes newbies make when archery deer | | | | your harness. |
| hunting so you can avoid them and have a more | | | | 2) Camouflage- Most beginners either over do it |
| successful 1st hunt. | | | | or don't wear any at all. Although deer do not see |
| 5) Tree Stand Climbing- Believe it or not, it may | | | | color like we do, they can spot patterns and |
| not be common sense how to use a tree climber | | | | shapes fairly easily. Wearing clothing that mimics |
| if you have never hunted before. I spoke with | | | | their natural surroundings is a must. If they do |
| one hunter who actually climbed by sitting down | | | | happen to spot your movement, they are less |
| facing away from the tree. It took about 5 times | | | | likely to pay attention if you blend in rather than |
| longer than usual to climb the tree. I don't read | | | | stand out. |
| instructions often either so I really can't laugh (well | | | | 1) Entering the woods- No hunter likes to wait |
| maybe a little). The proper way to use a climber | | | | hours and hours before seeing any deer. |
| is to sit on the outside bar of the half containing | | | | However, walking to your stand too late is |
| the seat and face the tree. Putting your feet | | | | definitely a mistake beginners make. In my |
| through the bottom loops on the lower half, you | | | | opinion, hunters should be in their stands at least |
| now use your upper body strength to pull your | | | | an hour before sunrise and about two hours |
| top half up and grab the tree a few feet up at a | | | | before sunset...especially when archery deer |
| time. This is followed by pulling the bottom half | | | | hunting! This will decrease your chances of |
| connected to your feet and using your lower | | | | spooking deer off in the area when going to your |
| body. Repeat until at the height you are wanting. | | | | stand. |
| Very simple after doing a few times. | | | | Although you may not get a deer your 1st time |
| 4) Proper height- There is no set height you must | | | | around (and most do not), taking some advice |
| adhere to when placing your climber. However, a | | | | from those who have gone before you may go |
| few feet off the ground will not cut it. Even with | | | | along way. The more you go, the more |
| camouflage deer can spot movement very easily. | | | | techniques you will acquire. Happy archery deer |
| The further up you are, the more likely you will | | | | hunting. |
| not be seen when reaching for your bow, etc. If | | | | |