I know, I know xe2x80xa6 November 1, 2018, is probably a silly time for a bowhunting 101 reminder. But to the contrary, in the heat of battle may very well be the best time for such review, and if you are anything like me and all my gungho bowhunting BloodBrothers, we are indeed in the heat of bowhunting battle in the right here and now.
The following are a few tips about how I have learned over a lifetime of bowhunting to dramatically improve your odds of filling your freezer with sacred venison. You will note that none of the following tips have anything to do with new gadgets or the latest in technology. That stuff wonxe2x80x99t xe2x80x94 doesnxe2x80x99t xe2x80x94 matter if you fail to diligently practice the proven fundamentals.
Woodsmanship: This is the art of going slow, knowing when to move and when to freeze, playing the wind, stepping lightly, patterning the deer, watching deer and learning from them, monitoring the phases of the moon, etc. The longer you spend in the woods, the better hunter you will become. You will learn woodsmanship by learning as you go, turning your predator radar to maximum, making big and small mistakes, and honing and following your instincts.
Cleanliness: Unless you get exceedingly lucky, you wonxe2x80x99t kill or see anything if you got the people-stink curse. Not only do you need to be clean and wash with hunterxe2x80x99s soap, but you need to ensure your hunting clothes are clean, too. Wash them in hunterxe2x80x99s detergent. Be militant as it pertains to being clean. Do everything you can to not smell like a human.
Play the Wind: Similar to cleanliness, you must play the wind, meaning that your scent must not be blowing toward where you expect the deer will show themselves. Cleanliness coupled with playing the wind are two of the most important things you can do to fill your tag.
Patience: If bowhunting teaches you one thing, it is patience. Donxe2x80x99t expect to get in your stand and 10 minutes later have a deer to walk by. The majority of the time it simply doesnxe2x80x99t work that way. You need to put in the time and be persistent. Remember, you are hunting one of the most cagey of animals in the woods. Their sense of sight, smell and hearing is unparalleled.
Noise: Be militant about making human noises in the woods such as when walking to your stand. Go slow. Be stealthy on your way to your stand. Additionally, make sure your stand is securely fastened to your tree and that is does not rattle as you climb up into it. Making human noises on the way to your stand or climbing up into it will put the deer on red alert.
Aim Small, Miss Small: Practice with your bow shooting at spots of the targets the size of a quarter. If you do this, you are ready to shoot a deer.
Movement in Stand: Move ever so slowly, if at all, in your stand. Move with your eyes, not your head or body. If you are moving too much in your stand, the deer will see you way before you see them and you will see nothing but white tails heading that-away.
Be Ready to Kill: Have your bow in your hands, cocked, locked and ready to rock doc! Or at least within easy reach close by. Mine hangs within two feet of my left hand. Ensure your broadheads are razor sharp. Know that at any minute a deer is going to walk in front of you. If you are not ready to kill, you will blow some amazing opportunities. Take it from me, I know, because I used to be the master of blown opportunities.
Practice these fundamentals and you will dramatically improve your odds at filling your tag and freezer.
It is November. The time is now. The hunting planets are now aligned. Be sure that your mind, body, spirit and soul are too.
Multi-platinum guitar legend TED NUGENT announces a new full-length album THE MUSIC MADE ME DO IT, due out Friday, November 9, on Round Hill Records. The album is available now for preorder everywhere, and the title track xe2x80x9cThe Music Made Me Do Itxe2x80x9d is available to download and stream wherever music is sold.
Ted Nugent – “The Music Made Me Do It” (Official Music Video)
With more than 40 million albums sold, rock legend Ted Nugent is equally well known as the nationxe2x80x99s most outspoken proponent of our 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, conducting thousands of pro-gun, pro-freedom, pro-American interviews in major media worldwide. Nugent is a New York Times best-selling author whose works include Ted, White & Blue xe2x80x94The Nugent Manifesto; God, Guns & Rock xe2x80x98nxe2x80x99 Roll and Kill It & Grill It.This year, his award-winning Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild TV show celebrates its 500th episode! For all things Nuge, visit www.tednugent.com