Still Hunting: a primer

This week I thought I would post about still hunting seeing how hunting season has arrived. Still hunting is stalking game as opposed to sitting in a stand hunting over bait. Deer can see, hear and smell you before you can them. This makes still hunting very challenging. Below are the keys to a successful hunt.

1. Scouting-- it is important to scout the area you will be hunting before the season. Locate watering holes, bedding areas and trails. Look for tracks, feeding areas, scrapes, etc. This helps you to get to know how game is moving through your area.
2. Smell-- We use a scent-removal detergent for hunting clothes and a scent-eliminator soap and shampoo on the morning of the hunt. It is also important to plan your stalk with the wind in your face.
3. Hearing-- We use electronic ear muffs. They allow you to hear game moving better. It also amplifies the sound of your own movement, which helps you to move quietly. And lastly they protect your hearing from gunfire.
4. The Stalk-- Moving through the woods should be done quietly and sloooowly as you melt into the woods. Take one or two steps, stop, and look around moving your eyes only, listening, and keeping the wind in your face. Take a couple more steps (no more than three) and repeat; look, listen, and check your wind direction. Focus deep into the woods, looking for movement or parts of the deer, an ear or an eye or a tail. White tail deer can hide very well in small places. When you see a deer, freeze. I do not look directly at them. When you are completely still they do not consider you as a threat. When they look away from you, slowly raise your gun, take careful aim and fire.

Still hunting is a wonderful experience because when you move slowly and quietly through the woods you will notice more wildlife.