Free Deer Hunting Tips by Marty Prokop: Big Bucks Archives

August 18, 2008

Top 5 Ways to Miss Your Deer by Marty Prokop

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There are five main reasons deer hunters miss deer when they are deer hunting.

1.) Not sighting in your deer rifle before you go hunting.

This sounds pretty basic, but year after year some deer hunters refuse to go to the rifle range to sight in their deer rifles.

They may figure, “Well, it shot straight last year when I put the rifle away.”

Regardless of how straight your deer rifle shot when you cased it up at the end of season, go to the range and sight it in again for the next season, preferably several times before deer season arrives.

Why?

Sights and scopes can get bumped while cleaning, handling or transferring from gun cabinet to deer hunting woods and back again.

2.) Using different ammunition than used to sight in with.

Different bullet weights and even various ammunition brands will shoot differently from the same rifle.

Make sure you stock up on the same brand and bullet weight of ammunition, the brand and weight you sighted in your rifle with, before you head to the deer hunting woods.

3.) Taking free hand shots.

Free hand shots are the least effective for deer hunting, because in many situations you are not rock solid when shooting.

If you don’t have a good rifle rest in your tree stand or blind when you are deer hunting, use your knee to steady your shot.

Another option is shooting from the prone position, but don’t try this from a tree stand.

Always try to use a solid rest before taking the shot.

4.) Not enough perfect practice.

There is more to shooting a rifle and becoming a good shot than just simply sighting in your rifle.

The more you can practice with different shooting scenarios, the better you will become at handling your deer rifle.

5.) Not knowing your shooting limitations.

This is really simple. If you don’t feel you can make a long range shot, don’t shoot.

At times, some deer hunters let their egos take over.

Only shoot the distance you have practiced for. This will keep you from wounding deer.

How can you avoid missing your deer the next time you go deer hunting?

• Sight in your deer rifle several times before deer season arrives.

• Remember to deer hunt use the same brand and bullet weight of ammo you used to sight in your deer rifle.

• Always use a solid rest when taking a shot.

• Perfect practice. Perfect practice. Perfect practice.

• Take shots only at distances you are comfortable shooting.

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Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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August 15, 2008

Is Day Dreaming Costing You Your Big Buck? by Marty Prokop

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Most deer hunters have the best success, and bag more deer, during the first two hours of each deer hunting day.

Why?

During the first two hours of a deer hunting day, the deer hunter is focused on getting a deer. He/she is constantly looking for, listening for, thinking about and concentrating solely on seeing deer.

As time moves forward, some deer hunters begin to let their minds wander from deer hunting. This results in the eyes and ears of the deer hunter missing crucial sights and sounds in the deer hunting woods.

When the mind wanders, a deer hunter must continually stop and re-focus on deer hunting to bring the mind back on track.

Looking and listening for deer becomes harder and harder as the mind wanders further from deer hunting.

Deer hunters can become caught up in the mind’s rambling on about work, the never ending honey-do list and countless other chores that should be done. The deer hunter is not paying attention to the woods for sights and sounds of deer.

If this trancelike state progresses, the deer hunter becomes oblivious to the external surroundings and is simply going through the motions of being in the deer woods.

If a deer hunter cannot break this trancelike spell, he/she may be better off taking a break from the woods as they would not see a deer if it were right in front of them.

The best way to tag a deer when you are out hunting is to think, smell, see and breathe deer hunting. Concentrate on looking for deer signs and listening for sounds that could be made by deer.

You will be a more successful deer hunter by increasing your awareness and concentrating on deer hunting when you are out in the field.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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August 11, 2008

Good Deer Hunting Guns for Deer Hunting Thick Woods by Marty Prokop

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I have been asked by numerous Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Members what the best gun is for deer hunting in thick woods.

If you deer hunt in an area that has thick undergrowth and lots of smaller saplings, you need a gun that is quick to shoulder and has enough power to bust through the brush.

Here is a list of guns and calibers I use:

• 30-30

• 12 gauge shotgun with rifled barrel

• 30-06

Let’s look at each one.

Winchester Model 94 30-30

I prefer the Winchester Model 94 30-30 for making deer drives through thick woods. The gun is short and quick to shoulder.

Since most shots are within 30 to 50 yards, I use iron sites with a hood or peep site on front.

The 30-30 cartridge is not super fast. But loaded with a 180 grain bullet, it will bust through brush fairly well without flying too far off target.

12 Gauge Shotgun with Rifled Barrel

A 12 gauge slug can barrel through some pretty thick brush and still stay on target.

I prefer using slide or pump action shotguns.

I like the Mossberg 500. I have used this gun since I was twelve. It has performed flawlessly for me. I purchased a rifled slug barrel and topped it with a red dot scope. The red dot is sighted in for a 50 yard shot.

30-06 Rifle

This caliber has been around for many years.

When loaded with lighter 150 grain bullets, it has proven to be a great varmint rifle, as well as a good long range deer rifle.

When loaded with a heavier 180 grain bullet, the 30-06 is a good choice for a brush gun.

Choose a carbine style rifle if you plan to hunt thick brush. The shorter length of the carbine will allow you to pull up the gun quickly in heavy brush for a faster shot.

Using Scopes in Thick Brush

You can use a scope when hunting thick brush as long as you are able to get quickly on target, because a shot in thick brush will happen rather fast.

Make sure the scope you choose is a fixed power scope, not a variable scope. This will allow quicker target alignment. Usually a four power scope is sufficient.

Hunting thick brush is a great way to put deer in front of you when deer activity seems to be low due to hunting pressure. Carrying the right gun with the right ammunition is vital to your success.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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August 8, 2008

Is Your Deer Hunting Rifle Shooting Straight? by Marty Prokop

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You are at the rifle range sighting in your deer hunting gun. You take a three shot group. You notice the first shot is a bit off from the other two shots.

You take three more shots and find the grouping of bullets very acceptable. You pack up, head home, clean your deer rifle and wait for deer season to open.

Opening morning of deer hunting season arrives. You take a shot at a big buck at the distance you practiced at the range.

At the range you were holding a two-inch group.

Today somehow you miss.

Was it deer hunter’s error or buck fever perhaps? Or was your gun shooting off target?

Let’s look at this.

Remember back at the range when you fired the first bullet from your well cleaned gun?

You noticed it was the only bullet that was out of sync with the other rounds you shot. All of the bullets after that first shot hit perfectly.

Very few deer hunters clean rifle barrels between shots when at the rifle range. This means we are actually judging how well our guns shoot through “dirty” barrels.

In the scenario above shots fired after the very first shot seemed most accurate.

Test the shooting accuracy of your gun by shooting two 3 shot groups.

For one 3 shot group clean the barrel after each shot.

For the second group shoot three consecutive shots without cleaning in between rounds.

Pay close attention to the very first shot out of the clean barrel. Notice if it strikes the target differently than subsequent shots.

If it does, your rifle may perform better after a shot has been fired.

Remember, the first shot at a deer is usually the most important one and often times the only one you get.

If your gun performs better after a shot has been fired through the barrel, consider safely firing one shot through your barrel before you head out deer hunting.

Clean your gun after shooting, but remember the first shot out of your clean gun will be the least accurate.

Why clean your gun if it shoots poorly when clean?

A dirty barrel will shorten the life of your deer hunting rifle, perhaps causing rust and deterioration. If left extremely dirty, your gun may become dangerous to shoot.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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August 4, 2008

Fun and Easy Way to Test Your Long Range Shooting! by Marty Prokop

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You have been diligent in practicing your long range shooting skills at the rifle range. You are able to consistently shoot a 3-inch group at 250 yards. This is great shooting and is an important step towards deer hunting accuracy, but this shooting is under a semi-controlled environment.

Think of this.

How many times have you had that big buck in front of you while your deer hunting rifle was in a gun vise or propped up on shooting bags on a shooting bench? Never happens.

Here is a fun and easy way to test your long range shooting skills out in the field.

Your targets will be one-gallon plastic milk jugs filled with water. Add food coloring to the water so you can see a difference in color from the water to the background.

One gallon plastic milk jugs are the perfect target at long ranges as they will be comparable in size to the vital heart/lung area of a deer. So save milk jugs.

Next, find a safe field or area to set up your targets. Make sure there are no buildings, people or animals in your line of fire or beyond the milk jugs.

If you hunt from a tree stand, and you are able to, you could even set up your tree stand to simulate actual shooting from that angle.

If you shoot from a ground deer blind, consider setting up your deer blind to shoot from it.

The goal is to create the closest conditions to your actual deer hunting situation.

Pace off 200 to 300 yards from your shooting location or whatever distance you feel confident shooting.

After placing your milk jug targets, walk back to your shooting area. Take aim and see how well you shoot.

A direct hit will have the milk jugs exploding. An off center hit will still have the jugs emptying on the ground. You can actually see the liquid leaving the container.

If you find your original distance of 200 to 300 yards has you missing the target or hitting off center, move closer in 20 yard increments until you can hit center consistently.

Once you find you are hitting center consistently, you have found your true long range shooting ability under quasi hunting conditions.

This may be a bit humbling at first, but it is far better to know exactly what your long range shooting abilities are before you head out deer hunting. This knowledge will help ensure you don’t wound an animal.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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July 18, 2008

4 Steps for Successful Deer Scouting by Marty Prokop

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One of the very best ways to increase the odds of you seeing and shooting more deer is by scouting.

Think of deer scouting as having four main steps.

1.) Choose good deer hunting property.

It sounds pretty basic, but many deer hunters take whatever deer hunting area they can get.

Learn about the land you consider hunting.

Ask some of the locals about a certain piece of property before you buy or lease it. Talk to people at the feed mill or even the local postal employees.

I did this. The mail carrier, barber, farmer down the road and feed mill guy all told me about the big bucks running across the road out of the property that I hunt.

So ask around.

Check with the local DNR and ask them about deer populations on or near the land you consider hunting.

2.) Learn the contours of the deer hunting land you are considering.

Purchase a good topographic map of your deer hunting area.

Look at the map and make notes where you might find food sources, watering holes, natural funnels and potential bedding grounds once you are out scouting.

3.) Head into the woods searching for deer sign.

After studying your topographic map and three to four weeks prior to your deer season opener, head into the woods.

Usually by this time of the year the deer have switched to their fall patterns. What you see in the woods will be current information.

First go to the areas you pin-pointed on your topographic map as potential hot spots.

If you have the financial resources to do so, place a trail camera on a potential hot spot. Check your camera(s) at least once per week.

4.) Put all the pieces together.

This is where you bring all of the information you have gathered together and use it to pattern deer on your deer hunting land.

The added bonus of trail camera photos is to show you deer size, as well as times and dates of when and how often deer are moving.

Together, this information will make deer hunting tree stand site placement much easier.

Remember these 4 Steps for Successful Deer Scouting, and you could pattern a big buck each time you head into the deer hunting woods.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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July 14, 2008

Following Deer Tracks that Seem to Disappear

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You found a huge set of fresh deer tracks and decide to start following them to see if you can catch up to the deer that made them. All is going well, until the tracks seem to disappear.

Did the deer vanish into thin air?

Did it magically sprout wings and fly through the forest?

No. It walked firmly on the ground, but maybe the light hitting the deer tracks is playing tricks on you.

Disappearing tracks have been tricking deer hunters since the earliest times when man started to first track animals.

Here is a solution if this happens to you.

Without stepping on the actual tracks and ruining the trail, Indian trackers used to step from side to side to allow the most favorable light to shine onto the trails.

With favorable amounts of light cast at the right angles onto the trail, hoof impressions or the upturned leaves seem to pop out because of the shadows they cast.

Try this Native American tracking trick the next time you seem to lose a set of fresh deer tracks in the woods. It could have you walking up on a big buck in his bed.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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July 11, 2008

Deer Tracks: Are You Following a Buck or Doe? By Marty Prokop

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A while back I wrote a Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and blog post about following deer tracks.

A Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com reader asked me how a deer hunter could tell he was on the trail of a buck or a doe.

It is my experience that even if you are following big tracks, obviously made by a big deer, that deer could be either a big doe or a big buck. Yes, I have seen some very large doe deer especially offspring of big bucks.

I have followed more deer tracks since I wrote that newsletter just to see if additional experience would show me something different. Here is what I found.

Following Deer Tracks

After following many sets of fresh deer tracks on my deer hunting land this past fall I have made some interesting conclusions.

I still believe if you follow one solid set of big tracks pressed deeply into the dirt, you could be following a big buck or doe.

Here is where I saw some variances:

If you are following a set of big deer tracks that are meandering through the woods, chances are high that you are following a doe. As you are following these meandering tracks and you notice urine in one spot, you will be following a doe. Doe deer squat to pee in one spot.

A buck walks through the forest moving from point A to point B following the path of least resistance. If a buck comes across something in the trail in front of him, such as a downed tree, he will walk around it and get back on to the main trail and continue walking. A doe, on the other hand, will often go under it.

A line of big deer tracks with urine dripping into multiple tracks is most often made by a buck as he will urinate as he walks.

Deer tracks splayed (a wide gap between the front of hooves in the shape of a “V”) tend to belong to a buck.

Deer tracks with drag marks behind them are usually made by big bucks.

The reason big bucks tend to drag their hooves is because bucks are structurally different in the hip region than does. This structural difference causes mature bucks to swagger from side to side and drag their feet when walking.

The longer and deeper the drag marks behind each track usually means the bigger and heavier the buck making the tracks.

I followed a number of deer tracks to see if a deer hunter could tell the size and sex of a deer solely by its tracks. I found, if you are on a fresh set of big deer tracks and focus on the size of the tracks only, you could be following a big buck or a big doe.

When I added drag marks and urination patterns in combination with the tracks, I could get a pretty good idea of size and sex of the deer being followed.

You be the judge. Try this for yourself and see what you find.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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June 6, 2008

“9 Top Deer Scouting Tips that Deer Don’t Want You to Know About!” by Marty Prokop

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Every successful deer hunt begins with great scouting.

Sure you hear the occasional story of the guy who stumbles into the woods, plops down on a log and shoots a nice deer. But how consistently does that guy score big?

To really increase your chances at a big buck every year, use these 9 Top Deer Scouting Tips.

1.) Start scouting EARLY in the year.

If your work schedule will allow, start your deer scouting by mid-summer.

When deer season ends, start looking around for deer signs you may have missed earlier in the year.

Write this information in a deer hunting journal. Use this information when you start scouting and deer hunting the next year.

2.) Learn everything you can about your deer hunting area.

The internet is a huge resource for topographic maps.

Make sure your scouting time includes online research of your deer hunting area. Learn locations of ponds, bedding areas, food sources and natural funnels. Use this information to help you pattern deer movement.

3.) When you are scouting look for DEER SIGN not deer.

Looking for good deer sign is quicker and easier, and you will see more. If you spot a deer consider this a bonus.

4.) Don’t over do it.

Spending too much time wandering around a deer hunting area is not a good thing. You can leave too much human scent in the area, which could cause big bucks to shift their patterns.

5.) WALK through the woods looking for deer sign instead of riding your ATV or driving your vehicle.

If you walk through the woods looking for deer sign you will see and learn more. In most cases you will also make less noise.

Prepare yourself ahead of time for the physical demands of scouting on foot, don’t over do it. Only walk if you and your doctor feel you are able.

6.) Scout multiple locations.

Pay close attention to grain fields, water crossings, pine plantations and hardwood forests. Deer will use all kinds of cover as well as many food sources throughout the full deer season.

7.) Look for fall feeding areas.

Don’t waste your time looking for summertime feeding areas. Deer browsing will change with the seasons. Concentrate on fall feeding grounds like white oak trees and grain fields that will be ready for fall harvesting.

8.) Be aware of deer patterns while you are deer hunting!

Deer patterns will change near instantly when deer season opens. Be aware of the changes and be ready to make a move to follow these changing deer patterns.

Why would you want to scout pre-season if deer patterns change once deer season opens?

An important part of pre-season scouting is for you to become very familiar with your deer hunting land.

You need to know the food sources, water and cover your deer hunting land holds and how deer are using and could potentially use these resources.

You want to know all the deer hunting options available to you on your land so you can change your patterns and plans to match deer activity.

9.) Always look for FRESH deer signs.

Old trails with hardly visible deer sign could mean the deer have changed their daily patterns. Look for fresh repeating signs such as new tracks, fresh droppings, new scrapes and fresh buck rubs. This will insure regular deer activity in the area you plan to hunt.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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Help your deer hunting buddies and support deer hunting…it’s free to do… Go ahead and email this Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog URL to your deer hunting buddies or use our Tell A Friend form at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com/ .

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June 3, 2008

Finding Early Season Deer

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In my Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and blog posts I write about one of the most favorable spots to set up your deer hunting tree stand during early season overlooking food plots or well-used deer trails. These spots can indeed be good, but don’t over look other great feeding areas.

During early deer season you may want to find a good stand of white oak trees. White oaks, unlike red oak and black oak, drop acorns more readily. White oak acorn nuts are not as bitter as those from red and black oaks.

When white oaks have good acorn crop, target these areas. They will draw deer. Deer will use these heavy acorn producing trees year after year.

Make sure you do plenty of pre-season scouting to help you locate if and where your deer hunting woods holds white oak trees.

When scouting for white oak also look for areas with lush grasses, vines, wild grapes and wild fruit trees such as apples and plums.

You may have an old homesteaded or abandoned farm on your deer hunting land. Watch this location carefully.

The folks who homesteaded these now abandoned locations may have planted fruit trees to harvest for their pantries. If these trees are now abandoned, they become great hangouts for deer to find early autumn food sources.

Once you locate an abandoned homestead, look for well-used deer trails leading to food sources, water and cover. Study deer movement surrounding the old buildings and orchards on the property.

When you have patterned deer movements to and from the food sources choose your deer stand locations wisely. Make sure your deer hunting tree stand is set up downwind from food sources you plan to hunt.

You might get a shot at the big buck nobody else has seen yet.

Get blog post delivered to you by subscribing to our RSS feed by clicking on one of the RSS feed buttons in the right hand column of this blog at www.marty-prokop.com .

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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May 4, 2008

Think Like a Deer to Fill Your Tag

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Discover the best place on your deer hunting land to find deer by thinking about what deer need and what your land can provide them.

Is it food, water, sun, shade, a place to rest, a place to hide or a windbreak? Or a combination?

Think about what deer need and where they will be at what time. Consider time of day, weather conditions and hunting pressure. Then head to the appropriate spot on your deer hunting land.

For example, let’s say it is cold, the wind is blowing and the ground is covered with snow in most areas.

Ask yourself, what do deer need today? The answer could be sunshine, a windbreak and easy food.

Hunt a south facing slope where the sun has melted some snow, making acorns or other browse available for deer while keeping them out of the wind. Come in so you are downwind so the deer will not pick up your scent in the wind.

If you can think like a deer, you can put more meat on your table.

Want more deer rutting secrets? Subscribe to the weekly Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter or get blog posts delivered to you by subscribing to our RSS feed by clicking on one of the RSS feed buttons in the right hand column of this blog.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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May 1, 2008

How Well Can Deer See?

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There has been much debate as to how far the whitetail deer can see. Are deer eyes better than human eyes?

The answer may surprise you. Here it is…

Yes and No.

Low Light Vision

In low light conditions deer can see better than humans.

Deer eyes have more rods, which are the light receptors. Human eyes contain more cones, which are used for gathering more color.

Rods are much more capable in gathering light than cones.

Night Vision

Deer also have a layer of reflective pigment in their eyes called tapetum, which increases the ability of deer to see better at night.

Here is how tapetum works in a deer’s eye. If light passes through the rods of a deer’s eye without stimulating the rods sufficiently, the tapetum bounces the light back to the rods. This allows the light receptors in the eye of the deer to respond again.

Deer have night vision superior to humans.

Colors and Distance

It is believed, however, a deer cannot perceive colors as well as humans, nor can deer see as well at longer distances.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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April 28, 2008

Post Rut Deer Hunting Success

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Post-Rut is most often forgotten by many deer hunters.

In the northern part of the USA, Post Rut occurs during the some of the coldest times of the year. Perhaps this is why some deer hunters choose to forget Post Rut.

Regardless of the thermometer reading outside, Post Rut deer hunting action can be extremely hot.

When Does Post-Rut Begin?

Doe deer not bred successfully during Pre Rut and Main Rut will go into estrus 28 days after Main Rut. Count out 28 days from Main Rut and you will be smack dab in prime Post Rut deer hunting action.

There will be fewer doe deer going into estrus during Post Rut than during Main Rut, because most does are bred during Main Rut.

Sign of Post Rut Activity

One tell-tale sign of Post Rut is a quick increase in deer activity.

Doe deer in Post Rut estrus show more aggressive approaches to finding breeding bucks.

You may notice doe deer trotting along and stopping frequently to deposit estrus urine.

Set up your deer blind or tree stand nearby. Make sure you are down wind of where the deer activity is taking place.

Doe deer in Post Rut estrus become more vocal, using soft grunts more frequently, trying to catch the attention of bucks in the area.

Bucks in the area that whiff the estrus pheromone quickly swarm the estrus doe. It is quite possible to have several bucks chasing one doe. It is as if the bucks realize this is the last hurrah for the year.

Who knows, you could be faced with the option of which buck to shoot.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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March 31, 2008

Main Rut Deer Hunting Success by Marty Prokop

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Main Rut or the peak of the rut lasts much longer than the pre-rut we discussed in my prior Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and blog post.

In my deer hunting area in northern USA, generally the main rut will begin the last week of October to the first week in November and run to the end of November.

During Main Rut you will notice daylight hours dwindling. This change in the amount of daylight, also called photoperiodism, triggers higher testosterone production in bucks.

The combination of less daylight and more testosterone makes the bucks more agitated and less friendly towards other bucks. If you happen to see two bucks meet during Main Rut a fight usually occurs.

Scrapes… What Do They Mean?

During Main Rut, as you walk through the deer hunting woods, you will notice more scrapes on the ground and more rubs on trees and saplings. Both are calling cards to other bucks in the area that this territory is taken. All challengers welcome!

Big bucks check their scrape lines and rub lines frequently during Main Rut.

Bucks will make scrapes by pawing leaves, grasses and debris off the ground’s surface and exposing fresh earth. The buck then urinates on his tarsal glands, which drip onto the fresh earth leaving his scent behind.

There is always a licking branch above a buck scrape. Look for it. A buck will rub his pre-orbital glands (near his eyes) on the branches and lick the branch to leave additional scent. This lets both bucks and does in the area know he is there and ready for action.

Big bucks will make multiple scrapes throughout their territories. Finding a big buck’s scrape line is a great tool for intercepting him, as he will be checking the scrapes frequently.

If you find an area that has multiple scrapes relatively close to each other, you may have found a big buck’s scrape line. Set up your deer hunting tree stand off the main trail and downwind of the scrapes.

Tree Rubs… What Do They Mean?

Tree rubs are made by bucks as a way to release their frustrations as well as prepare for future battles with other bucks that enter their domains. Bucks will also make tree rub lines to mark their territories.

To locate a tree rub line stand facing a rub on a tree and look in the direction going directly away from the first rub. For example, if you spot a rub on the south side of a tree, the buck was traveling north when he made the rub. Look towards the north for additional rubs on saplings and small trees.

If you see a “string” of tree rubs in a line, you have found the buck’s travel route.

Setting up a deer hunting tree stand or ground blind near this tree rub line could put you in a big buck’s front yard.

Doe… a Deer... a Female Deer

One key factor in hunting Main Rut is to have lots of doe activity near your deer hunting location.

During Main Rut bucks will only make ground scrapes and tree rubs if there are female deer nearby. During Main Rut, bucks will travel and move to where does are located.

If there are doe deer in front of you, and the rut is on, pay close attention to their body language.

If does are running about, seeming to be overly skittish and looking over their backs constantly, be on the lookout for a big buck.

As a doe is ready to accept a buck she will hold her tail cocked off to one side. If you see a doe doing this, pay very close attention as the big buck could be close by.

There is still one magical part of the rut that is often overlooked, and it can also produce a truly huge buck. That is Post-Rut.

We’ll look at hunting Post-Rut in my next Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and blog post.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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March 28, 2008

Pre-Rut Deer Hunting Success by Marty Prokop

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Deer hunting during the rut and being in the right place at the right time can have you shooting the monster buck of your dreams. But, which rut should you hunt?

You might be thinking, “Wait a minute Marty Prokop, have you fallen off your rocker? There is only one rut.”

Actually there are three very distinct parts to the deer rut: Pre-Rut, Main Rut and Post-Rut. Knowing and understanding each could help you bag the buck of a lifetime.

In my Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and this blog post I will share with you secrets for deer hunting success during Pre-Rut. In the next tips I will cover Main Rut and Post-Rut.

What is the Pre Rut?

Pre-Rut is triggered by mature does, those that are at least 4½ years old, going into a very short estrus cycle. This cycle lasts only 24 to 36 hours.

In the northern areas of the USA, Pre-Rut usually begins in early October.

Up until this short estrus cycle, bucks are still wandering around in their small bachelor groups.

As soon as the smell of an estrus doe hits the air, the bucks react by making scrapes and rubs. During this 24 to 36 hour period, deer hunters who are in the woods may notice vast numbers of fresh scrapes and rubs almost appearing overnight.

Noticing these new scrapes and increased deer activity as part of the pre-rut phase, could increase your odds of tagging a big buck.

Being in the Right Place at the Right Time

Remember, Pre-Rut only last a few days, so timing is everything. Here are some options for connecting with a big buck during Pre-Rut.

Set up your deer hunting tree stand overlooking one of the new scrapes. Make sure you are downwind of the scrape. Then you simply wait him out. Eventually he will come to check his scrape.

Another way to attract the dominant buck and lure him to you is by making a mock scrape.

A mock scrape should be about two feet in diameter, with a licking branch approximately three feet above the ground.

Mock scrapes are made by removing leaves, grasses and debris off the ground’s surface and exposing fresh earth. This can be done with a stick or garden rake.

Once fresh earth is exposed, pour a good amount of Dominant Buck Urine and Doe in Heat (doe in estrus) urine onto the scrape. Saturate two scent wicks, one with dominant buck urine and the other with doe in heat deer scent, and hang them on the licking branch above the scrape.

Place your deer stand downwind of the mock scrape and wait for the big buck to come in.

During the short Pre-Rut, testosterone levels of buck deer begin to increase and very few bucks have the chance to breed the few doe deer that go into estrus. Many bucks become frustrated. This frustration is how Mother Nature alerts and prepares the rest of the bucks for the upcoming Main Rut.

We’ll talk more about the Main Rut in my next blog post.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

****************************

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March 15, 2008

Marty Prokop at Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Announces New Podcasting and Changes to RSS Feed

The Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog is being enhanced and more free services added for deer hunters.

Podcasts Added to Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com

We are adding audio podcasting of our free deer hunting tips at http://www.marty-prokop.com

The Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com podcast is like having a deer hunting coach and guide with you sharing successful deer hunts, giving you tips, helping you remember techniques and secrets to bag those big bucks and preparing you for your next successful deer hunt.

You can receive free deer hunting tips audio podcasts and text blog posts delivered through our new RSS feed.

Here are the RSS feed details…

New RSS Feed

If you have signed up for our prior RSS feed or added our blog to your own RSS feed we are upgrading and changing the RSS feed so it will send you the new audio podcasts in addition to the text blog posts.

What does this mean to you?

How to Receive Podcasts via RSS Feed

If you have not signed up for the RSS feed yet, here is how you can. Just click one of the feed reader service chicklets (buttons) in the right column of this blog.

How to Receive Podcasts via Your Current RSS Feed

If you have already signed up for the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com RSS feed in the past to receive the new audio podcasts delivered to you via RSS feed you will need to subscribe to the new RSS feed by entering the following link into your feed reader:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/%20Free_Deer_Hunting_Tips_By_Marty_Prokop

Fix Podcast Feed

If you are reading blog posts and receiving podcasts through a feed reader and don’t make this update, the blog posts and podcast may come through unclear or look funny.

To fix this simply subscribe to the new feed by entering the following link into your feed reader:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/%20Free_Deer_Hunting_Tips_By_Marty_Prokop

What about the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter?

If you have signed up for our Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and are receiving our deer hunting tips via email, you will continue to receive those tips via email. This does not change your newsletter subscription. Audio free deer hunting tips come through the RSS feed.

If you would like to receive our Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter (which has tips in addition to the blog posts you receive from our blog) you can subscribe to the newsletter at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com .

What is an RSS Feed?

With RSS you will receive the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog posts and audio podcasts sent directly to your computer via feed reader software or service as soon as they are posted to our blog.

You get free feed reader service when you click on one of the RSS feed reader service chicklets (buttons) in the right column of this blog.

Free feed reader service is really similar to your email software, but without any spam. Your RSS feed will allow into your computer only blog posts and podcasts that you have signed up for. You don’t receive any spam. So you could say it is similar to spam-free email.

You are guaranteed to receive the blog posts and audio podcasts because RSS feed readers bypass email and spam filters. Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog posts and audio podcasts will be delivered straight into your RSS feeder right on your computer.

You will be able to read the blog posts through your favorite feed reader instead of having to remember to come out and visit the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog each week. You can go to the blog to leave your comments.

You will be able to listen to the audio deer hunting tips just like you can music or other audio files on your computer or MP3 player.

RSS feed saves you time, sends the free deer hunting tips right to you, protects you from spam and gives you maximum privacy.

What is an Audio Podcast?

Audio podcasts are audio similar to radio shows, only generally shorter. I will be recording Free Deer Hunting Tips in audio files and distributing them through the Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog.

You can hear free deer hunting tips audio podcasts on your computer using a media player (such as Windows Media Player) or through an iPod or MP3 player.

You can listen to these free deer hunting tips all year around on your computer. An MP3 player makes Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips portable, and you can listen to Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips audios on the way to your deer hunting camp and even while you are sitting in your deer stand.

You can receive our Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com audio podcasts free by visiting http://www.marty-prokop.com or subscribing to our new RSS feed.

You can subscribe to our Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com newsletter at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

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January 17, 2008

More Trail Camera Proof Mock Scrapes Attract Big Bucks

Here is even more trail camera proof that mock scrapes can get big bucks to move into your deer hunting area. The picture above shows a big buck visiting and reworking the scrape I had made just three hours before.

There is no doubt in my mind that creating mock scrapes can attract big bucks onto your deer hunting land. The proof is in the picture.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

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Do Mock Scrapes Really Work for Attracting Big Bucks?

Take a look at the pictures above. These four bucks all came into the same mock scrape I had made. Notice the licking branch above the scrape. You can see I had placed a scent wick directly over the scrape, and the scent wick has drawn a lot of attention from the four bucks that visited the site.

Mock scrapes work great for attracting buck deer to an area. A mock scrape set up properly will bring in the big bucks. It will also attract the little guys too as you can see in the picture to the left.

How to Make a Mock Scrape

Mock scrapes are made by choosing a location under a licking branch and exposing fresh earth with a garden rake or stick.

After you have loosened the soil and removed all grasses and leaves from the scrape's surface, place dominant buck urine and doe in heat scents on the scrape.

Always make sure the scrape site you choose has a licking branch above it.

The licking branch should be about three feet off the ground and directly over the scrape.

Bucks use licking branches to leave scents from their tongues and pre-orbital glands (near their eyes). A licking branch is a way for a buck to leave his calling card and let other bucks know he is claiming this territory.

Scrapes without a licking branch will be used very seldom, if at all.

After you have placed deer scent on the scrapes surface, saturate a scent wick with doe in heat deer scent and hang it on the licking branch over the scrape. The scent wick will drip onto the scrape and wind currents will blow scent into the surrounding area. Placing a saturated scent wick over the scrape will help keep your mock scrape more active for a longer period of time.

If you want to attract more bucks from neighboring land onto your deer hunting land, try using mock scrapes. They work, and work well, as you can see in the pictures.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

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December 5, 2007

What to do When Your good Deer Hunting Stand has Gone Bad

You very carefully approach and exit your deer hunting tree stand or ground blind. You give great attention to the wind direction and scent cover, making sure you enter your deer hunting location with the wind in your face.

Days and weeks after being pursued, no matter how careful you are, smart deer and big bucks will realize they are being hunted.

By late season, even reliable deer hunting tree stand locations can stop producing fresh signs. Here is the good news. Studies have proven that pressured deer often shift their behaviors and patterns but stay in their home ranges.

Deer stands that go cold are a great reason to pull out your aerial maps to locate your deer hunting land’s most remote and rugged area with good cover. Read your map and scout for spot that might be challenging to access because of thick cover, rough terrain or a stream.

If the terrain is a challenge to get into…this is a location that could produce deer. The deer in easier terrain may be already taken or have felt the pressure and retreated to safe cover to survive.

Identify one or two tough-to-access locations in your hunting area which may be holding these later season deer.

Watch the wind and go in pre-dawn with the wind blowing the perfect direction to move your scent away from the deer. Sit up against a blow-down or thick tree. Don’t put up a ground blind or tree stand, because the noise and motion could easily scare the already alert deer.

Make sure to enter and leave this area as quietly as possible after staying for as long as you can.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com

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November 15, 2007

How to Attract Big Bucks

Here is a nice picture of a big buck I recently attracted onto my deer hunting land.

Here is an email I just received from a www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com reader asking how to do the same with his deer hunting land.

Marty Prokop,

I am getting so frustrated. I enjoy your tips each week and don't know if you respond to e-mail or not, especially on November 13th!

I usually consider Nov. 6 - 14 the peak of rut in Ohio, but I haven't seen the big bucks or the chasing this year. I am open to some tips on how to get deer under my stand.

I hunt in a small yard which borders thousands of acres in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreational Park. I see many deer in the woods, and many come under my stands, but I can't get the big ones off of their trails, 50-75 yards into the park. I have bow hunted here for 6 previous and have taken 13 deer and passed on multiple deer a year.

I have harvested 2 bucks, one a 7 - pointer scoring in the 100 - 115 inch range. I have seen the 120 to 150 class bucks, but can't get them to cross onto my legal shooting area. The park rangers know me and are very nice and always allow me to track the deer all over the park after shooting them.

I just purchased a Matthews Switchback and can group arrows better than ever, golf ball from 20, softball from 30 and football from 40, which I could never do with my Browning Mantis. Just after purchasing the bow last January, I shot a doe from 40 yards right at dark through the heart, so my confidence level is high if I can just get those bucks my way.

I grunt, wheeze, rattle, and use Tinks™ 69 over mock scrapes. I haven't invested in a motion camera, but I did stoop to buying some stuff called C'mere Deer a week ago and watched a spike eat it at 15 yards.

Help, I really want a Pope and Young, Ohio Big Buck, or a B & C deer-120, 140, or 150.

Thanks,

Desperate Don

Don,

Thanks for your comment and questions.

I feel your frustration. Last deer season was similar for me. I needed to get those big bucks onto my deer hunting land, then do what it took to hold them there.

Do you own the land you are hunting on? Or, do you hunt land with permission from a landowner?

The reason I ask is this, to get big bucks to want to leave the safety of the park, you need to attract more does to your side of the fence. During the rut big bucks will spend their days and nights chasing does. If you can hold a few more does on your deer hunting land, odds are you will attract bucks.

I planted food plots to get more does onto my deer hunting land. The deer food plots are strategically placed near water and bedding areas. On any given day I see fifteen to twenty does grazing. When the rut is on, I see four to five nice bucks tending the does.

A good food source that attracted more does was key for me seeing and holding more bucks. Since you are facing winter in your location, food plots will be an answer for you next year.

For the remainder of your deer hunting season try the following suggestions.

First, start using dominant buck urine along with a doe in estrus deer scent. Buck Bomb™ is a great choice for filling an area with deer scent without spreading too much human odor. Once you activate the Buck Bomb™ climb into your deer hunting treestand and the wind will spread the deer scent for you.

Try using two deer decoys, one buck and one doe. Place dominant buck urine on and around the buck decoy and doe in estrus deer scent on and around the doe decoy. This will make it seem a buck has moved in on a hot doe in another buck's territory.

With your deer decoys in place, call and rattle to entice a buck to come in to investigate. A deer call to try is The Can by Primos. This call imitates doe bleats made by a doe in estrus. When combined with the grunt and rattle calls, the scenario of two bucks fighting over a hot doe becomes more effective.

Before placing a decoys be sure to check your local deer hunting regulations for legality.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

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November 5, 2007

Deer Hunters have to be Persistent, and Lucky, to Tag a Monster Buck.

Scouting your deer hunting land and knowing deer movement are important. You increase your chances of harvesting a monster buck if you know when and where it has been observed.

By actually patterning a monster buck on your deer hunting land, you at least know the buck exists and therefore you have a possibility of harvesting it. While it is always awesome to tag a monster buck, for the most dedicated deer hunters, knowing that a monster buck exists on the land being hunted is ample satisfaction and excitement.

Remember, you don’t have to tag a monster to have the experience of deer hunting.

When a monster buck presents himself, that doesn’t mean the deer hunter is ready. Remember, the definition of success is opportunity meeting preparation.

Make sure shooting a monster buck is not your only goal. Instead, each deer hunt and from deer season to deer season, compete against yourself raising your standards for all elements of successful deer hunting each time you are out.

Your goals could include learning more about deer scouting and applying your knowledge better in the field. Learning more about deer signs and reading them more accurately. This is how you work your way to a monster buck. The deer hunter whose goal is to take only monster bucks will have much space between successes.

Learn when to pass on deer and when the deer in front of you is as good as it is going to get. The challenge of the hunt is more important than the size of the rack or gender of the deer.

For many deer hunters the chance to harvest a monster buck may never happen. But keep the thought in your mind and prepare for the time when it does happen.

It’s the possibilities of what might show up in the field that inspires serious deer hunters to increase their deer hunting knowledge and prepare so they can be successful if and when that monster buck does appear.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (2)

October 30, 2007

Five Steps to Fast Track Success Deer Hunting

1) Know when and where to hunt. The best time to harvest the buck of a lifetime is after you have completed enough scouting to understand the deer behavior and travel routes in your deer hunting area. Then you perch your body and gear in a tree stand or ground blind that the monster buck decides to walk by.

2) Rid yourself of limited thinking. Remove words like “never” and “always” from your deer hunting thoughts, beliefs and vocabulary. Most important, don’t be talked into staying out of the woods because of phrases like “post rut lull” or “big bucks are always nocturnal.” My dad always says you can’t catch fish at home in the bathtub. This means you can’t harvest a buck when you are sitting on the couch. You have to get into the field and deer hunting woods.

3) See, read and understand deer signs. Big bucks provide visual signs of there presence. You will find rubs and scrapes. Use rubs and scrapes as a starting point for scouting. Don’t always assume the bucks are going to come back, especially during the rut. Scrapes are a great starting point, but scrapes alone are usually not enough to guarantee a deer. Look for additional signs such as deer trails, food sources and bedding areas. Use these to pattern deer movement and behaviors.

4) Know more about the deer trails. Well worn trails do not automatically guarantee you deer. Instead of instantly placing your stand over a trail, invest some time in understanding where the trail goes, what the deer are using it for, what time of day or night they may be coming through and where the trail leads in all directions.

5) Set achievable goals. The deer hunters on TV and in magazines shoot big bucks or several big bucks in one season because they are hunting on pre-scouted land that is proven to hold big bucks. Your deer hunting area may not hold a monster whitetail, but it may hold several really nice bucks or does for the freezer. Be realistic and grateful for all your hunting experiences and accomplishments — including just being out in the field.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com

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October 25, 2007

Using a Trail Camera to Pattern Big Bucks

Trail cameras are one of the newest and more technical pieces of deer hunting equipment. Trail cameras help you discover deer movement, which enhances your chances of being in the right place at the right time.

Make sure when you are checking them, you do so at a time when the deer are most likely not in the area. At first, you will have to take your best guess. As you begin to see the pictures, which contain date and time, you will be able to better pattern deer movement.

The night-vision infrared cameras do not flash during dark hours. This better conceals your outdoor photo studio from the watchful eyes of wildlife.

By using trail cameras you may discover that a mature buck has changed his pattern from early morning feeding — when more hunters are usually in the field — to midday feeding, actually following the hunters out of the field to the food plot.

During the pressure of deer season, deer may conserve energy and try to avoid hunters by feeding midday. This may require you to be in the woods during workdays. So consider planning a few vacation days or reworking your daily schedule to be out in the field.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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October 18, 2007

How to Stalk Deer While Deer Hunting

Below is a great question I received from Dakota regarding How to Stalk a big Mule Deer Buck.

You can read my answer below Dakota's question.

Marty

Hey Marty,

I started bow hunting and im trying to get my first ever mule deer buck.

Can you give me tips an stalking up on mule deer?

I was stalking up on this mature buck but it heard me.

Dakota

Dakota,

Thanks for your email. Congratulations on becoming a bow hunter. The thrill and excitement of taking a deer with a bow is often greater than that of harvesting one with a rifle.

Taking on the challenge of stalking a deer adds to the excitement. You are putting your wits against those of big buck, a master at survival.

Stalking a mule deer with a bow is a great challenge. Mule deer are notorious for being spooked very easily.

It is not surprising the mule deer heard you. His ears are a bit larger than a whitetail deer and a mule deer is often more alert. That being said it is not impossible to stalk a mule deer.

Tips for stalking a muley are very similar to those used to stalk a big whitetail buck.

1.) Plan the stalk before you move. Look at all possible paths you can take for getting into bow range before you take the first step forward. Having a plan will keep you focused and prevent errors.

2.) When stalking deer keep the wind in your face. This keeps your scent from blowing in his direction.

3.) Stay low to the ground. Sometimes it is necessary to belly-crawl to get into range.

4.) Make small, almost non-noticeable, movements. When stalking deer, slow and steady will get you a lot closer for a shot. Quick movements will alert a deer to danger every time. I was stalking a nice doe one afternoon and it took me one hour to move 25 yards.

5.) Use the surrounding terrain to help conceal you. If there are rocks, trees or tall grasses between you and the buck, keep the objects between you and the mule deer buck.

6.) If the big buck lifts his head while you are moving forward, STOP. When his head is up he is scanning the area for anything that resembles danger. If the big buck senses danger, he will bolt.

As with anything perfect practice makes perfect. Notice I said perfect practice. Practice your stalking movements as often as you can. It may feel awkward crawling around in your back yard, but the more you practice the more natural it will become when you are out deer hunting.

Stalking any game animal is a challenge but can be done successfully as long as you are patient.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)

October 15, 2007

Deer Hunting During the Deer Rut

Late Fall is when you will generally see rutting behaviors, but in some areas, the rut can continue into December.

Doe deer coming into estrus late or those who were not bred during the main rut may catch the attention of bucks well into December. They don’t watch a calendar or care what month it is, so neither should you.

Even during deer bowhunting in December carry along your deer scents and deer calls. You may find that you are out in the field late in the bowhunting or muzzleloader season and hear a dominate buck grunt. If you have your deer calls with you, you can use them to bring in the big buck.

If you are bowhunting or muzzleloader hunting for deer later in the season, be prepared in case you find yourself deer hunting a late season rut.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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October 10, 2007

Deer Hunting Food Sources

During deer hunting season, hunting food sources can be a good technique for harvesting whitetail deer.

In farmland, deer like to work over fields looking for grains spilled during the harvest. They also look for new green shoots from winter cover crops such as winter wheat, which can be growing through or under snow cover.

Winter food is available but the deer need to work harder and move around more often. Look for a food source the deer are using that is not depleted yet.

Set up your tree stand or your deer hunting ground blind nearby.

During the later part of the deer hunting season, the deer move from food source to food source at all times of the day. So plan your deer hunt so you are in your deer hunting tree stand or ground blind all day.

Being prepared to sit all day could put in front of a big late season buck.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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October 1, 2007

Deer Bowhunting the Thick Stuff

Have you ever walked pass briars, swamp grass or thick brush and decided it was just too difficult to penetrate?

During deer bowhunting season that’s exactly where you’re going to find the most deer. The nastier the cover, the more they like it.

In December, most leaf cover is gone from the trees and the woods are wide open. Deer feel very nervous. And by this time the local deer have become expert escape artists after dodging hunters during the prior month’s gun deer hunting season.

The lack of foliage and deer hunting pressure force deer into whatever security they can find.

Try working your way to the center of the thicket. You will need clear shooting lanes. So carry a set of pruning clippers to trim the brush and branches. Place a tree stand or a ground blind. The deer will be up close and only a few yards away.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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July 13, 2007

Dennis Shoots Big Buck

Dennis Klass Shoots Big Buck

This was the year that I made every effort for a good hunt. I scouted. I watched when and were the deer were coming from. I put out scent bombs.

Then came opening day. I sat and I sat and didn't see a single deer. I waited until 4pm and was getting restless. I stood up, turned around and finally I see a deer.

The big deer was about 1200 yards away and running in my direction.

The only problem was there were four hunters between me and that deer.

I kept watching as it ran across one field and cut between two hunters. They must have been napping because the big deer ran on by.

The deer crossed a small hedge into another field still running directly in my direction. This was the first time I saw his rack.

Now I was really getting nervous because there were still two deer hunters in the two corners of this clover field.

The two deer hunters didn't notice the big buck at first. By this time the deer was only 100 yards away and still running towards me. When the buck was just 75 yards out, I heard BOOM!!

I guess they finally noticed it!! But what’s this? The big buck is still running towards me. They missed!

In fact the big buck is now right under my deer hunting tree stand.

I take aim, shoot, and pick out a spot on my wall for this great deer.

Thanks Fred Vorrassi for doing a great taxidermy job.

As for my deer hunting story, well the only thing I can tell you is that it was just dumb luck.

But as a great man once said, “I would rather be lucky than good any day.”

I am hoping I will be just as lucky this year too.

Dennis Klass

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (1)

June 11, 2007

David Shoots Big Buck

David Harvests Big Buck

I knew where the buck was bedding down.

At the close of opening week the wind was right.

First came the young deer feeding on acorns. I kept watching the young deer feed as the sun began to set.

Then, not twenty yards away, the big buck was standing broadside to me.

I lifted my bow quietly. Pulled back...and released my arrow. A perfect broadside shot!

Thanks Fred Vorrasi (F&F Taxidermy Bristol, NY) for the sharp looking mount.

DAVID RADER

VICTOR, NY

Great job David and congratulations on a very nice buck.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (1)

May 14, 2007

How to Make Deer Hunting and Fishing Your Carrer

Mr. Marty Prokop, in your opinion, what is the best thing someone wanting to make a career out of hunting and or fishing can do, considering the fact that school doesn’t have a whole lot to do about either one?

I used to be into hunting and fishing big time, but this past season I was really discouraged when the season ended and I hadn’t made any kills.

I'm only 16, but I'm really beginning to wonder what to learn in school that will help me with hunting and or fishing. If you have any advice or suggestions, please feel free to speak. I am really wondering.

Matt

Matt,

Thanks for your email. Congratulations upon becoming part of the Free Deer Hunting Tips Community.

You have listed some very good questions. Here are my comments.

I felt the same way about schooling, hunting and fishing when I was attending high school. And, looking back on my school years, I can now see many opportunities available to me that I didn’t realize at the time.

First of all is learning persistence and awareness.

I made the decision early on that no matter what the result (the harvest, fish caught, deer taken) of my time outdoors, I would be happy for every minute. I would be outdoors just to be outdoors. I became aware of how grateful I was to be given opportunities outdoors (even if this meant cleaning the barn or tilling the garden).

When hunting or fishing trips did not turn out as planned I started to look around at my skills (or lack at the time) and my surroundings to see if I could find clues as to what could be improved.

When hunting or fishing trips went well, guess what I did?

I did more than celebrate.

I started to look at my skills (or changes I made) and my surroundings to see if I could find clues as to what I wanted to keep doing.

I kept notes of these (yes, written notes). These became the foundation for being able to help others.

School will teach you persistence — as you complete those classes you may find boring (I had them too).

You can also look at each class or study asking yourself, “How can this help me become what I want?” This is awareness. You’d be amazed that just about every class can help teach you at least a nugget that might be helpful later on.

Persistence and awareness are great skills to acquire if you are interested in being a guide, wild life tracker, wild life biologist, wildlife author/writer, outdoor trainer or succeed in many other outdoor fields.

When You Can’t Get Outdoors

Learn all you can about wildlife by reading books and watching videos concerning fish and wildlife habits.

If your school library is limited as to what can be found, go to your public library and pick up as many books as you are able to read.

And keep reading the Free Deer Hunting Tips newsletter that you get free as a subscriber.

You can also write for this blog by just writing…yes, we would love for you to contribute your questions, stories, comments and ideas. This could be a great start for you in the outdoors field.

Outdoor Careers

As far as making a career out of hunting and fishing you may have some options in higher education courses. Those that come to mind are Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries Manager, Sporting Goods Spokesperson, Sporting Goods Store Owner, Wildlife Author/Writer, Wildlife Expert, Wildlife Speaker, Taxidermist, Professional Guide, Soil Conservation, Game Warden, your local Department of Natural Resources or Fish and Game Department.

Courses to consider would include math, reading, writing, business management, business marketing, wildlife biology and perhaps fisheries biology.

There are a few private courses offered for becoming a professional guide and/or a taxidermist.

Any of the above could be good options to working in the fishing and hunting fields.

Slow Season

Matt, I hear you 100% about the season. It can be frustrating to not fill your deer tag. One of the best ways to increase your odds of filling your deer tag is to increase the amount of time you are out deer hunting.

When deer hunting season arrives, being in school during the days can be tough. Stay in class, study diligently and get as much homework done at school. When school lets out for the day, hurry home get your hunting gear and head to the woods, if your parents allow.

As a young man, I used to hunt the firearm season only. After my first two years of not filling my deer tag, I picked up a second-hand bow. And after becoming very good at shooting a bow and arrow, I began to deer hunt archery season in addition to firearm deer hunting season.

Doing this could do two things for you.

It will get you out in the woods more, which could increase your chances of a big buck walking in front of you.

Secondly, as you are out in the woods, you will be learning deer behavior taught by the best teachers in the world…deer.

Use the information you acquire while out in the woods to help you pattern deer. Watch where deer come out of the woods and locate their main trails. If you notice deer coming out 100 yards away from your deer hunting tree stand, move your tree stand.

Pay attention to wind direction and deer movement. Deer will use certain trails when the wind blows from the north, south, east and west. Keep notes of which trails deer use and the wind direction each day. Before you head out to hunt, listen to the weather to see what the wind is doing that day. Choose a tree stand site that will have the wind in your face.

Another great way to learn deer habits and patterns is to go small game hunting after deer season ends. You will be out hunting, whether it is rabbits or squirrels, and you can also be out scouting for next deer season.

Rabbits and squirrels live in the same area you will be deer hunting. Follow deer trails into the woods. See where the trails lead to and from.

Big bucks have a home range or core area they spend most of their time in. If you locate a buck’s home range while small game hunting, you have just found a great place to hang a deer hunting tree stand.