Free Deer Hunting Tips by Marty Prokop: Deer Hunting Stories 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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August 1, 2008

Can Wind Affect Deer Rifle Accuracy? by Marty Prokop

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There he is, Mr. Big, the big buck of a lifetime, out 200 yards in front of you.

You have practiced at this range and are quite comfortable you will make a good, solid hit.

You take aim, BANG!

The buck runs off.

You walk up to where the big buck was standing and find nothing. You search the area for hours looking for any sign of a hit and still nothing.

You wonder, “How could I have missed that shot?”

The wind!

According to the “Sierra Bullet Reloading Manual,” a 180-grain 30-06 pointed bullet leaving the muzzle at 2700 feet per second with a 20 mile per hour crosswind will blow 6 inches off course at 200 yards. That same bullet with the same 20 mile per hour crosswind will blow 14 inches off course at 300 yards.

Regardless of wind speed, bullet drift can occur if the wind is hitting your gun barrel at certain angles.

On the other hand, if you are shooting into the wind or the wind is directly behind you, wind will have little effect on your bullet’s path.

Study ballistic charts to see how your bullet will fly and how wind speed can affect your bullet trajectory. Learn the bullet drop of your load at different distances.

Before you head out to the deer hunting woods, make sure you listen to the local weather report, specifically wind speed and direction.

With a little research and some perfect practice, you could be zeroed in on a big buck at any range under any circumstances.

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 28, 2008

How to Use your Air Rifle for Deer Hunting Success by Marty Prokop

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You know the more you practice with your deer rifle the more comfortable you are when you are out deer hunting.

It would be great if you could be out at the rifle range at least once every week practicing for deer hunting season. But, not all of us have the opportunity or luxury to have a full fledged rifle range in our back yards.

The solution? The modern air rifle.

Today, modern air rifles sport the look, feel and weight of many deer rifles. Many are surprisingly accurate at close ranges. Modern air rifles are a perfect choice for deer hunters, who do not have the ability to shoot a deer rifle at home, to get plenty of shooting practice.

Better air rifles are spring piston operated and will have a consistent 600 to 1200 feet per second (fps) muzzle velocity. Higher end air rifles will cock with a single motion (break barrel action) filling the air chamber. Some brands to consider are Gamo, Crossman and Sheridan.

If you use a scope on your deer rifle make sure to mount a similar style scope, designed specifically for air rifles, to your air rifle. This will give you the look and feel of your deer gun.

Practice with a good air rifle that has the look, feel and weight of your deer rifle. You will be conditioning your muscles, training your eyes and coordinating your body for a good shot at a deer in the woods.

Consult local rules and regulations to make sure you can discharge an air rifle in the area before you purchase your air rifle and set up your shooting area.

Make sure you set up a good back stop to capture all pellets. If you prefer, you can even buy a pellet trap and use it as a back stop. Always make sure the location you practice has nothing in or beyond the line of fire.

If you don’t have the luxury of a rifle range in your backyard and still want to practice your shooting skills get a modern air rifle and set up your own target range. Who knows, the perfect practice you put forth could have you shooting a big buck come deer season.

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 25, 2008

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Deer Hunting! By Marty Prokop

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Knowing how to really handle your deer hunting rifle … fast and safely … is paramount to your deer hunting success.

Think about it. Most good shots at deer happen in only seconds.

Seconds are all you need, if you know how your deer hunting rifle handles.

Perfect practice makes perfect deer hunting. Notice I said PERFECT PRACTICE, not just practice.

At least once a week, all year long, take your deer gun off the rack. Always make sure your deer rifle is empty.

Pick a spot on the wall (make sure there is nothing or no one on the other side of the wall, even though the gun is empty).

Pretend the spot on the wall is a deer that just came into range and is giving you a clear shot.

Start with your deer rifle at your side. Raise your rifle and take aim at the spot you picked. Take off the safety mechanism but Do NOT dry fire your deer gun. Simply raise your rifle from your side to your shoulder to aim for a perfect shot. Put the safety mechanism back on and try again.

Do this two to three times as if you were taking a shot at a deer.

It is important that you are able to do this smoothly when you are under pressure or fighting buck fever.

Perfect practice makes perfect deer hunting.

By going through the motions of bringing up your deer rifle and aiming, it will become more natural with each repetition.

After many repetitions, you will find your cheek is naturally sliding to the right spot on your rifle stock and your hand is flawlessly finding and operating the safety mechanism.

When you are completed with your weekly practice make sure your deer rifle is stored unloaded with the safety on. Make sure to wipe off any fingerprints or smudges on the barrel or gun finish also. This will keep your gun in tip top shape when deer season arrives.

By the time deer hunting season rolls around you will enter the woods with new confidence and experience more successful deer hunting.

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 21, 2008

Waterproof Your Deer Hunting Rifle by Marty Prokop

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You clean and oil your deer hunting rifle; spray it with one of those silicone gun waterproofing sprays.

But what happens if you are deer hunting in a steady, all day rain?

The waterproofing washes off.

That’s right.

Even the silicone based waterproofing spray can wash off in a steady, all day rain.

So how can you protect your gun from the rain?

Car wax!

Yes you read that correctly, car wax.

Car wax lasts longer than gun oils and silicone spray lubricants.

After you have applied a safe car wax to your rifle, let it rain! The water will bead up on the fresh coat of wax.

But be careful as to which car wax you use. Make sure the car wax does not have any buffing compounds that would remove the bluing or gun stock finish.

If the forecast calls for rain during your next deer hunt, try a good coat of safe car wax on your deer hunting rifle before you head into the 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 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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July 7, 2008

Recovering Your Deer After the Shot

BANG!

Your shot was well placed. You expect to see the deer not far from where you took the shot.

After waiting 20 minutes, you climb out of your deer hunting tree stand and walk to where you took the shot.

You see a good blood trail. You start tracking being careful not to disturb the blood trail.

As you continue following the trail it seems to almost disappear. You look a few feet ahead and off to the left and right and still see no deer.

You are puzzled. Where could it have gone?

“It was a great hit,” you rationalize as you replay the shot through your mind.

This happened to me in a past deer hunting season. I shot a huge doe at less than 50 yards with my 12 gauge. Normally, at close range with a 12 gauge slug, deer have dropped in less than 50 yards.

So what did this doe do?

After the shot, the doe turned and ran straight away from me. I followed her blood trail nearly 100 yards. I noticed she turned back to where she had come out of the woods.

I found her another 30 yards up the trail towards the direction she came from. She was circling back around.

Deer are herd animals. I believe they feel safer in numbers. Perhaps this doe was heading back to the group she was with.

Next time you start following the trail of a deer you have shot and can’t find it immediately, try circling back to where you first took the shot. Chances are you will find the deer near that location.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

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

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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!

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

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!

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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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 20, 2008

Whitetail Deer in Deep Snow

And You Thought Your Winter Was Bad...

Above is a picture I received from a Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com reader.

This photo was taken in 2008 in Canada.

Can you imagine deer trying to find food in this deep snow?

Look at the lead deer in the photo. You can't even see her back!

Tell us what you think of this picture by leaving a comment here at the blog.

Send in your deer photos and stories by emailing marty(at)free-deer-hunting-tips.com. Make sure to replace the word (at) with the @ sign.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

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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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December 7, 2007

Alyssa's First Buck!

Hey Marty! I got my first buck this year!!

I went out for the evening hunt on the 3^rd and final weekend deer hunting looking for my buck. I had already gotten two deer the first weekend, 2 does, and I now I was going to be more selective. We did have doe tags still open so I was told to shoot a doe if I saw one.

Where I was hunting it is quite a walk to get to, I had to walk through the cow pasture, which entails going through an electric fence and under a barbed wire fence on the other side. There was a bull in the pen but I was told by the farmer that he was not aggressive, he wasn't aggressive at all but still I was pretty uneasy going through the pen.

Then I had to walk into the woods to where there was a clearing to my stand. The farmer apologized to me saying that I might not see anything that night, third weekend hunting for us has not always been successful, so I was looking forward to taking a nap in my stand.

There wasn't a sound to be heard, not even a bird was flying around. By this time the sun had fallen just behind the trees and my viewing area had changed.

I began looking around to see what was there. Looking to my left I saw something move along the clearing. I knew it was a deer but couldn't get a good look at it to see if it had antlers or not.

I brought my scope up and looking through the scope I didn't see any horns. Just then the head came up. Now I was almost busted so I checked the deer over quick and thought it was a very good sized doe so I decided to take her.

I took my safety off and waited for her to start grazing again. I tried to get a better shot and I must have made a noise and the head came back up. BOOM! I shot her right in the neck and down she went.

The deer seemed to fall very odd, on top of the head. My cousin shot a nice buck 2 weeks earlier and it had fallen the same way, on top of the head looking up at the sky, but I didn't want to get my hopes up.

The sun was getting lower and realizing that I still had to walk past that bull, I climbed down from my stand and headed back in. The deer was sitting right where I had shot it and I knew it was not going anywhere, plus I couldn't drag it out myself. I headed in and the farmer and my husband helped me drag the deer out.

I was very excited to see horns on this big does head. Though I didn't get a trophy buck, I am still very excited that after 7 years hunting I was able to get a buck of my own. And yes, I gutted him out myself.

Talk to you later.

Alyssa

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)

September 10, 2007

Deer Hunting Camp Joke

The guys were all at deer camp. They had to bunk two to a room.

No one wanted to room with Daryl because he snored so badly.

They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns.

The first guy slept with Daryl and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot.

They said, "Man, what happened to you?"

He said, "Daryl snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night."

The next night it was a different guy's turn. In the morning, same thing--hair all standing up, eyes all blood-shot.

They said, "Man, what happened to you? You look awful!"

He said, "Man, that Daryl shakes the roof. I sat up and watched him all night."

The third night was Frank's turn. Frank, the deer camp comedian, was a big burly ex-football player; a man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast bright eyed and bushy tailed, looking well rested.

"Good morning," he said.

They couldn't believe it! They said, "Man, what happened?"

He said, "Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Daryl into bed and kissed him good night.

He sat up and watched me all night."

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (2)

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.

Nothing beats time spent in the woods learning from the master teachers…the deer themselves.

Do not to get discouraged when you are out hunting and you don’t fill a tag. Sometimes just the excitement of seeing deer makes the experience worthwhile. Think of yourself as a student of the whitetail, as famed deer hunter Barry Wensel teaches.

In regards to making hunting and fishing a career, discovering what you love to do and choosing it as your career makes great sense. It also makes a life great. You can do it. I believe in you.

Keep me posted as to what you decide.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

Posted by Marty Prokop | Questions and Comments (0)

April 30, 2007

From No Bucks to Monster Bucks

Marty,

I deer hunt with a party of six.

Before I came into the picture 7 years ago, the guys had the theory "if it's brown, it's down".

It didn't matter what size the buck was they saw, they would still shoot it.

Almost 10 years ago there was a buck that all the guys wanted. They named him the “Oh Shit Buck.”

This buck was a monster and extremely smart. He was always one step ahead of us hunters.

Every time one of us saw him we simply said, “Oh shit” as we watched from the distance.

This buck was so smart he didn't die by a hunter’s gun; rather, he died from old age.

Thankfully, before he died, the old buck produced a few monster buck offspring.

But, unfortunately, the deer he had sired have all been taken, by not just our group of deer hunters, but other deer hunters in the area.

Now 2007, we rarely see any bucks with any kind of rack, and as a result we all hunt the does.

I will spread the word to the hunters in my party and around our hunting area about Quality Deer Management. If we all practice good Quality Deer Management, maybe in a few years, we can get some good bucks back.

Now, since I am still learning about deer hunting, how can I tell the age of a deer while I am sitting in my deer hunting tree stand?

Thanks!

Alyssa

Alyssa,

Thanks for your comment. I totally understand not seeing any nice bucks due to too much deer hunting pressure and not enough Quality Deer Management.

When I purchased my deer hunting land here in northern Wisconsin, my deer hunting experience was much like what you shared. I would see countless does during deer hunting season and few, if any, bucks.

My second year deer hunting here, I learned the reason why I was seeing so few bucks.

The properties surrounding my own deer hunting land had huge groups of deer hunters.

I spoke with a few of the deer hunters from those groups. The deer hunters said they were deer hunting for any deer with a legal rack. It was in those conversations where I learned why I was not seeing any big bucks, or even small bucks, on my deer hunting land. The bucks were being harvested before they could cross the fence lines.

From No Bucks to Monster Bucks by Marty Prokop

I wanted to see the number of and size bucks increase in my deer hunting area; not only for me, but for all the deer hunters on surrounding properties also.

I began sharing my thoughts of how to increase the numbers and sizes of the bucks in our deer hunting area.

I developed a friendship with some neighbors and told them my plans of wanting to start Quality Deer Management here on my deer hunting land. We talked about how, decades ago when they were kids, there were so many more large bucks. They wanted to see those big, beautiful, breath-taking bucks again.

We knew the gene pool existed in the does who were the offspring of the monster bucks. We hoped if the pressure was off the bucks, we might be able to help bring monster bucks back to our deer hunting area.

How Quick Monster Bucks Came Back by Marty Prokop

Even though my deer hunting land appeared to have little or no large bucks in 2003, after just one and a half years of Quality Deer Management, I started seeing more bucks by 2005.

Although the 2006 season was slow for seeing a decent number of bucks during deer hunting season, I photographed a good number of individual bucks prior to deer hunting opener.

After deer hunting season, in the winter of 2006 through spring thaw of 2007, I counted fifteen individual bucks one night on my deer hunting land. That’s ONE NIGHT!

I had bucks with racks ranging from spikes, forks, six-pointers, eight pointers and two really nice 10-point bucks.

Marty Prokop says, “Quality Deer Management Really Works!”

Share your plans of wanting to start a Quality Deer Management program with other deer hunters and with your own deer hunting party. You could see an increase in numbers and sizes of future deer.

How to Judge a Deer’s Age in the Field by Marty Prokop

In my opinion, it is best to let the younger bucks grow until they reach full maturity.

Judging how old a deer in the wild is can be tough. It can become increasingly difficult when coupled with the sheer excitement and adrenaline rush experienced when you see a buck while deer hunting.

One of the best ways to be able to judge a deer’s age is to study as many deer as you can.

Look through the Deer Cam Pictures at www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com. Study pictures of deer. Watch deer hunting videos. These are great ways to learn differences between mature deer and young deer.

The easiest way to judge deer age is by the overall size. Most generally, a spike buck or fork-horn buck is probably sporting his first set of antlers. This usually happens when the buck reaches 1½ years.

But judging by antler size alone is not always accurate. Antler growth depends on many factors. Age, genetics, nutrition and stress all play key roles in antler development.