Things I learned while bow hunting.

[Team HuntingLife.com]

I just started bow hunting 3 years ago. I had no one to take me and teach me so I have been learning by trial and error. While I have rifle hunted since I was 10 this is my first experience hunting alone, from a tree with a bow. Adding a camera man to the mix has added challenges.

 I have learned so much in these last three years and have made some big mistakes. I thought this would be a great place to share some of the little (and big) things we have learned though bow hunting that might help others!

First I learned about scent control. When your gang hunting and pushing deer like we do during rifle season that is not really important. It is very important with bow hunting. I showered more times in one day especially if it was hot. I also learned to keep my clothing in a sealed box scent free.

I learned that the higher you are in a tree the more you can get away with!. Especially with two people. But I also learned it greatly changes your shot and you need to practice from a higher spot to get used to that shot. I also learned that I don't like being 35 feet up when it is windy.

I learned to check peep sites, and front sites often. Wounding deer is no fun and checking sites and target shooting often even during season can help eliminate some of that.

I learned to take an extra pair of gloves with if you are going to be in a pine tree! There is nothing worse than getting your gloves full of pitch and either having to go gloveless or risk sticking to the string!

I learned to wait for the deer to get settled into eating before taking the shot.When you get excited it is hard to control but they often are edgy at first but if you can wait and let them settle in you are much better off with the shot. That doesn't always happen but most often.

I learned if you are having problems with your equipment to not take the shot. 

I learned that trail cameras are not only valuable but a lot of fun!

I learned about how deer behave during all phases of the rut and that was so unbelievably cool! Watching two buck fights right under the stand was incredible.

I learned that other hunters rattling sound just like big bucks fighting to another human! lol

These are just at few things I learned and I have lots more to learn so if you have some tips please share them. (I would rather learn from others mistakes and speed up the learning curve! lol)

[Peter Lauber]

I agree with a lot of the things you listed there, even the one about hearing some other hunter rattling lol. This is gona be my 3rd year bow hunting as well and one thing I love the most is how you really have to control your self out there and not get excited. The first time I saw a doe my heart was pounding and I had to watch it forever because it never got close enough and it finally walked off into the woods. I'm also in EAB and nothing is worse then having a shooter buck whithin 10 yards and can't do anything about it besides watch it eat for 8-10 minutes lol. But I really believe that it helped me put down my first buck gun hunting. For me I noticed it helped to control my breathng and just stay focused on the deer and not worring about anything else because thats when I start to get excited and its hard to control my nerves.

[rich valentine]

just remember that practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. do not over shoot, when you start getting tired stop. have fun with every aspect of hunting. trust your gut, dont second guess your shot, when you do that you have a better chance missing it.

[Jake Hinrichs]

Ive been bow hunting for about 15 years now and ill be the first to say Im still learning. It is nice to speed things up with someone elses advice, but sometimes we must learn the hard way. I find that shooting a doe right off the bat helps me calm down and gives me confidence for the buck. The more you practice with out over doing it (great point Rich) the more confident you will be and confidence is the key. Know your equipment and trust your instincts. There will always be that branch or what have you but a good hunter learns from there mistakes. I think sometimes people worry too much about stand height and sent they forget what hunting is all about. Have Fun! We need to enjoy the Wisconsin Outdoors for it wont last forever!

Jake/Team SelectOne

[Team HuntingLife.com]

Yeah I know that there is always going to be something you have to learn yourself. Rich you brought up a great point about perfect practice and not over doing it. I did learn that too. When I start out I am very careful to take my time and make a great shot each time. My groupings are great, in fact i have wrecked my share of arrows and broad heads. I do stop as soon as I start getting out of the sync because I know I am getting tired and wait until the next day.

Jake you are completely right the key is to learn from them and moves on and has fun!

Any other tips peoples?

[Brady Brenner]

I would say the biggest things i have learned would b to do situational practicing. What i mean by that is to target practice from up in a tree. The next thing would b hunting the wind. Never hunt a wind when it is blowing directly toward a bedding area or where u expect deer to come from. The last thing that i would highly advise would b to know ur surroundings when u are out in the woods. I mean if u dont have a range finder pick out landmarks that let u know where 10, 20, and 30 yards r cause my biggest problem is judging distance especially at first and last light. Thats just a few things that i could think of. Hope it helps u out! The other things like Jake and Rich said r very important too. So keep all these things and mind and hopefully u will b more successful in the woods. Good luck! :)

BJB

[Brady Brenner]

Oh and one more thing! Luck is when preparation and determination meet opportunity! So create ur own luck!!! Good luck and HAVE A GREAT 2010 SEASON!!!!

[Team HuntingLife.com]

Thanks Brady! Good points. I actually use the never-guess-range finder. I usually range different spots a head of time but it is right there if the deer is in a spot I didn't range. (They never seem to go where I think they should!)