| For those who are just beginning their hunting | | | | often. When setting up a ground stand, you can |
| "careers" choosing a specific hunting technique can | | | | basically be out in the open as long as you have |
| be confusing. You may be wondering which is the | | | | something behind you to break up your outline. |
| best way to hunt, which technique is best for my | | | | Sitting at the base of a tree or a pile of rocks, |
| area, or just what the differences in techniques | | | | would work fine. Many hunters choose to make |
| are. There are a majority of hunting techniques | | | | up some sort of ground blind to hide in. This can |
| that you can choose from, and you do not have | | | | be done with the natural vegetation available or |
| to stick to any one technique. In fact learning how | | | | by constructing a man made structure. |
| to hunt with each technique can give you an | | | | Commercial ground blinds are available, they are |
| edge, especially if you plan to hunt an assortment | | | | portable and lightweight, and can usually be set up |
| of terrains. Here are a few of the most common | | | | rather quickly. The styles available range from a |
| hunting techniques: | | | | single stake and camouflage wrap around system |
| - Spot and Stalk | | | | to fully enclosed structures, which are even |
| - Stand Hunting | | | | available with scent-containing fabrics. These |
| - Ground Blinds | | | | ground blind systems also help to protect the |
| - Scouting | | | | hunter from the environment, yet still be close to |
| - Still Hunting | | | | his target on the ground. |
| The spot and stalk technique is best used in areas | | | | Still hunting is where the hunter moves through an |
| that have open terrain, where you can view a | | | | area known to have deer, hoping to spot a |
| large area either all at once or from various | | | | target. When still hunting the hunter should always |
| vantage points. It is important to note that optics | | | | move directly or quartering into the wind, as to |
| are a commonly used item with this technique. | | | | avoid alerting the deer with his scent. Another |
| Hunters usually begin to survey an area known to | | | | important tip to this technique is to move very |
| have deer at first light. Once a deer has been | | | | slowly, steps should be deliberate and slow- taking |
| spotted, the hunters will watch to see where it | | | | no more than two to five at a time. After each |
| beds down, and usually where there is one deer | | | | series of steps the hunter should stop and survey |
| there are more. An advantage to the spot and | | | | his surroundings, after thorough inspection the |
| stalk is that a hunter is viewing the terrain from a | | | | hunter then moves on to another series of steps. |
| higher point, thus he is able to plan a route to get | | | | The slow movement and long pauses are helpful |
| within shooting distance of his target. This | | | | because they mimic the style of a feeding deer. |
| technique requires patience and planning, hunters | | | | When still hunting the hunter should try to stay in |
| will have to move slowly and carefully as to avoid | | | | shadows and wooded areas. Terrain such as |
| alerting any animals that may not have been | | | | grasslands are not areas where this technique |
| accounted for beforehand. | | | | would be beneficial. |
| Stand hunting, or elevated hunting, includes the | | | | Scouting is a technique that is used in the |
| use of tower blinds, tripods, and treestands. | | | | pre-hunting season. This technique consists of |
| Elevated hunting gives the hunter a broader view | | | | going out and gaining knowledge of your hunting |
| of his surroundings, much like the spot and stalk. | | | | area and the habits of the deer. This technique is |
| Another advantage to elevated hunting is that the | | | | not absolutely necessary, but the more you know |
| hunters scent is often carried above the ground | | | | about your area the more prepared you will be. |
| level air currents, making it harder for the deer to | | | | When scouting an area, it is helpful to have a map |
| detect them. The tower blind is usually a | | | | of the overall area, even aerial maps can be |
| permanent structure that is placed at a spot | | | | useful, and a compass, or even GPS. While |
| known to have deer. They also provide the | | | | scouting with your map, it is useful to make notes |
| hunter with a bit of comfort while waiting for their | | | | to record the location of major game trails, |
| target to appear. Insulating materials and | | | | bedding areas, rubs, or other indications of the |
| weatherproofing can be used during their | | | | presence of deer. Repeated trips to scout are |
| construction, and comfortable chairs- even space | | | | recommended. These repeat trips can be used to |
| heaters, can be added after. Tripods and | | | | pick out possible ground blind or treestand |
| treestands are portable, meaning the hunter can | | | | locations, or still hunting locations. |
| set up and take down whenever they need. | | | | Picking a hunting technique is based on what you |
| When hunting from a stand on the ground (the | | | | think would work best for you and your terrain. |
| ground blind technique) it is best to find a | | | | As you learn and master your chosen |
| comfortable spot, deer are very sensitive to | | | | technique(s) you will become a better hunter. Just |
| movement so you'll want a seat that will enable | | | | remember to always be safe and enjoy yourself |
| you to sit for a long time without moving too | | | | while you're out there. |