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.
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Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
****************************
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Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)
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.
To subscribe to the weekly Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter or 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!
Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
****************************
Find Deer Games, Pictures and Hunting Fun at: http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
=========================
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=========================
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If you want to keep up on new deer hunting 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.
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Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)
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.
To subscribe to the weekly Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter or 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!
Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
****************************
Find Deer Games, Pictures and Hunting Fun at: http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
=========================
*** More Free Stuff ***
Get Your Own Free Audio Deer Hunting Tips, listen to the Deer Hunting Podcast, subscribe to our RSS Feed, see Big Buck Pictures and read the Deer Hunting Secrets Blog at: http://www.marty-prokop.com
=========================
*** Newsletter and RSS Feed ***
If you want to keep up on new deer hunting 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.
=========================
*** Help Your Deer Hunting Buddies ***
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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Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)
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!
Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
****************************
Find Deer Games, Pictures and Hunting Fun at: http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
=========================
*** More Free Stuff ***
Get Your Own Free Audio Deer Hunting Tips, listen to the Deer Hunting Podcast, subscribe to our RSS Feed, see Big Buck Pictures and read the Deer Hunting Secrets Blog at: http://www.marty-prokop.com
=========================
*** Newsletter and RSS Feed ***
If you want to keep up on new deer hunting 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.
=========================
*** Help Your Deer Hunting Buddies ***
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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Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)
May 7, 2008
Deer Food Plots...What Food Plot Seed Should You Plant?
Below is a comment and question I received from Free Deer Hunting Tips Community member Pat.
Pat asks...Thanks for all your good information. We want to plant a food lot on our 20 acres. What is the best kind of seed to plant?
Here is my reply:
Thanks for your email.
To answer your question, I need to ask you a few.
Are you planting the whole 20 acres?
Have you had a soil sample conducted yet?
What type of soil do you have? (ie: loamy sand, clay, etc)
How much annual rainfall do you get each growing season?
What area is your deer hunting land located? North, South, etc.
Are you going to use a herbicide to help clear the land of unwanted weeds and vegetation before you plant? Or, are you going to try to use more organic methods to control weeds?
All of the above factors and several more will play a crucial role in deciding what seed to plant.
For example, if your soil test reveals your soil to be acidic, you will have to add lime to neutralize it.
The 60/40 Rule
Here is some food for thought…I suggest you plant your food plots with 60% perennials and 40% annuals.
In other words, plant 60 percent of your total food plots with something you need plant only once and will continue to grow year after year. Then plant the remaining 40% with a food source that needs to be planted each year.
Annuals grow much quicker and will provide a good food source for deer while the perennials are establishing their root systems. Planting annuals will help keep deer from over browsing the perennial crops while they are growing.
Some annual seed choices would include: Corn, soybeans, cow peas, sunflowers, rye grass, oats, etc
Perennial seeds could include: alfalfa(buy deer specific seed), chicory
I have used The Whitetail Institute products with great success as well as Biologic seed blends.
Before you buy any seed make sure to get a soil test if you have not already done so. A soil test will tell you the type of soil you have, the pH of the soil, lime requirements and fertilizer requirements for your soil. Without soil test information, you could spends hundreds of dollars on seed and have poor results.
Soil tests usually run between 10 and 30 dollars and is money well spent.
If you would like, I would be glad to look at your soil test results and then make a more targeted suggestion for seed choice for you.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Want more deer food plot 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!
Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
****************************
Find Deer Games, Pictures and Hunting Fun at: http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
=========================
*** More Free Stuff ***
Get Your Own Free Audio Deer Hunting Tips, listen to the Deer Hunting Podcast, subscribe to our RSS Feed, see Big Buck Pictures and read the Deer Hunting Secrets Blog at: http://www.marty-prokop.com
=========================
*** Newsletter and RSS Feed ***
If you want to keep up on new deer hunting 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.
=========================
*** Help Your Deer Hunting Buddies ***
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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Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)
May 4, 2008
Think Like a Deer to Fill Your Tag
If you would like to listen to this Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com blog post as a podcast click the play button…
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!
Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
****************************
Find Deer Games, Pictures and Hunting Fun at: http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
=========================
*** More Free Stuff ***
Get Your Own Free Audio Deer Hunting Tips, listen to the Deer Hunting Podcast, subscribe to our RSS Feed, see Big Buck Pictures and read the Deer Hunting Secrets Blog at: http://www.marty-prokop.com
=========================
*** Newsletter and RSS Feed ***
If you want to keep up on new deer hunting 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.
=========================
*** Help Your Deer Hunting Buddies ***
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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Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)
