Deer Hunting: A Day in the Field With a Hunter

Today, we get a peek into what a day looks like for one of our HuntWise Field Team hunters, Alec Pratt, when he heads out to hunt deer.

The Night Before: Gear Prep

It's a ritual of going through my harness, stand, and safety lines each night before a hunt. The prep I do at home pays dividends in the dark woods.

The night before is when I check my bag and ensure everything is packed efficiently and in the right place. First aid, snacks, and water are readily available, with little Debbies locked in for a moral boost when needed. 

I use Stealth Strips to cover exposed metal to prevent making noise. This includes carabiners, the tree platform, and my bow release. I use a Wise Guy release from Spot Hogg, which is metal and can be flipped out of the way, but it's loud if it slaps against something.

Yeah, I love a good index release. That's all I've ever used, and it ain't broken.

Pro tip: Keep an emergency release stashed in your bag somewhere in case you lose or forget your primary release. My backup is a cheaper one, but it's better than not having an option.

Packing My Gear Bag 

I use a Sitka Tool Bucket pack and load it from the bottom up based on when I need the gear.

I stuff puffy jackets and layers in the bottom. These are things I might use if I get uncomfortable in the hunt once I'm on my stand.

On top of that, I'll pack a scent blocker from Ozonics, and then I'll have my saddle and knee pads or harness packed so they're easy to access on top.

The "Morning Of" Routine

I gotta say, deer hunting doesn't just start when you get in the stand. To maximize your opportunities, you'll want to invest and plan before the hunt begins.

Drink plenty of water, eat well, and get up early enough so you can do your "business" before hoofing it to the tree of choice. 

I love a morning hunt, but evenings work similarly when you're getting prepared. I generally use apps like HuntWise to plan my hunt the week before so I know the weather while going to bed.

I usually rest until the time I need to wake up based on being in the stand 30 minutes before the first light. Typically, that means my duck quack alarm goes off around 4:00 am, the coffee pot kicks on at 4:05 am, and the Jimmy Deans get nuked at 4:20 am.

When in the field, we have access to a shower, so I'll rinse off, use scent blocker soap, and get in all the nooks and crannies, especially surfaces that will be exposed to the elements. 

At the Stand

The hunt starts the moment you leave camp. So, be vigilant and know you may get an opportunity to shoot before you get in your stand.

Try to avoid building up a sweat and check for deer before you start your climb. I typically use a red headlight in the mornings.

I don't wear the saddle or harness when walking into a stand because they can restrict movement and make me louder. I don't climb with my bag, so I put the saddle and harness on at the base of the tree and clip the bad in my haul lines before my climb begins. 

With my bow, climbing sticks, and other accessories, I know it'll take me about 10-15 minutes to climb a tree. This sounds slow compared to what the YouTube crowd brags about — and it is slow.

But . . . I'm not trying to race up a tree, get sweaty, and make a lot of noise. If I'm sweating, that means that my scent will be everywhere, and that can ruin a hunt. I try to climb slowly and safely so I don't make noise or disturb the woods. 

Hauling Up My Gear

My saddle, a Latitude Method XL (big boy here), has saddle bags for my tether/rappel line and gear hanger. Once I'm locked into my hunting height, I'll hang my hooks and begin pulling up my gear.

I typically start with my bag because it is more bulky than the bow, and it's easier to get situated without worrying about knocking my bow off its hook. I'll then bring up the bow and nock an arrow before hanging it. 

After the bag and bow are hung, I check the wind and set up my Ozonics. I was skeptical about these devices, but I've had great hunts with one, so I keep it in my kit.

By the time everything is set up, you should be ready to go. It sounds like a lot, but it's pretty quick if you practice your system.

We typically hunt with a buddy system, and cell service is often spotty, so we use handheld radios to check in with each other. We may be the only people who do this, but it gives an added layer in case of emergency, and it's the way the old timers taught us.

As we pack out gear, we make sure the frequency is set and the batteries are charged. 

Setting Up a Hunting Spot

You have to either go to the deer or bring them to you.

Some hunters will argue about hunting ethics when it comes to baiting or hunting over fields, and everyone needs to decide what works for you. We're allowed to run feeders where we hunt, but we also have fields and quality browse for deer to feed on.

During turkey season, you can scout out and mark food sources on your app and look for game trails. Over time, you'll learn which trees produce and which trees don't. Use these areas for trail cameras to gather some intel.

Once you've isolated the spot to hunt, you'll want to set a path based on access and expected wind. This can be tough to figure out because weather and thermals change, but you should be aware of this when you're going into your stand. 

HuntWise can help! Use map layers and mark feeding areas in the app to help you plan a path in and out of your hunting area.

Taking the Shot

It's the most nerve-racking part of the hunt.

Everything you've done leading up to that moment is about to pay off. Hours of watching videos, listening to stories, and practicing on the range are about to pay off.

Moving slowly and observing the deer's body language is super important. Knowing your ranges based on landmarks so you know which pin to use before the deer arrives can save your hunt. Knowing your shooting lanes and blind spots where you can go to full draw can make the difference between going home empty-handed and success. 

Once you've decided to take the shot, you can't hesitate — but also don't rush or screw up a shot. Remember your practice and execute based on your muscle memory, and remember to aim relative to the deer's internal organs to ensure you're hitting the real target for a clean harvest. 

Anticipating how a deer will react based on how loud your bow is and your distance will help you choose your shot. Remember that most deer will drop down the moment they are spooked, and generally, they will turn to run in a direction they believe is safe.

It's similar to leading a bird: shoot where the deer will be when the arrow arrives, not where it is at release. 

Tracking and Recovery

Taking a good shot will make your life easier, but pack some helpful tools, including flagging tape, toilet paper, and an app to track your search.

I'll mark a spot where the deer ran off and take a picture from my stand before getting down. With a bow shot, I think it's best to wait 45 minutes to an hour before getting out of the stand. This will give the deer time to expire, and you'll avoid pushing a deer that might need that time.

Then, I'll start tracking a path in HuntWise before I start walking through the woods. The path you track will save you time and keep you from getting lost. It'll also help you get the deer out once you find it.

While tracking, drop flagging tape or markers where you find blood so you can envision the path. This can take time and is more fun with your hunting buddy.

Post-Hunt

Post-hunt is when all the stories come out.

Take a note and memorialize your feelings. Take a video talking through the hunt and the shot to save for the future. It will bring those feelings back when looking back on the hunt.

Talk about the approach, the wind, and the distances the deer came from. What else was in the field before you took the shot? How did you feel in the moment? Were you nervous, excited, or confident?

I love this part, and telling the story back at camp is a lot of fun.

Preparing Your Harvest

You worked hard, but you've got more work to do — time to clean and prepare the harvest.

Pick out some recipes and share some meat with friends and family. Respect the animal and the process. I love the tradition of sharing stories and a good meal with friends, and I hope this post helps someone enjoy a successful day in the field. 

Time to Reload and Recharge

After every deer hunting day, remember to set yourself up for success by cleaning your gear, charging your batteries, and cleaning ropes so they don't get tangled. You're investing and saving time for the next hunt, and you'll thank yourself. 

We Hope You Have a Successful Deer Hunting Day (or Days) This Season

All of this sounds like a lot when you write it out, and it is. But it's fun, and it gets easier with practice.

Do what works for you, and have fun. Every hunt is special and unique. You'll probably mess up a few times and spook deer, but you'll learn. When it all works out, you'll have a great story and lessons to share.

As you prepare your gear and plan your hunt, make sure you have HuntWise. Plot your paths, scout and mark what you see before the season starts, share hunting areas and markers with your hunting buddies, plan around deer movement and weather forecasting, then pack your gear and enjoy the hunt.

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