Hunting Tips

Although it is only October, and we are still in the pre-rut phase, the preparation for executing the rut starts now.

Nothing says "field to table," like harvesting your own Thanksgiving turkey. Not only is it a healthier and more economical way to feed your family this Thanksgiving, but it is also a lot more memorable than heading to your local Walmart and picking up a Butterball.

It's finally October, and you know what that means. HuntWise users: Deer season is now in full swing, and we couldn't be happier!

A successful whitetail deer hunt on public land requires many things, but resilience and knowledge play the most crucial role. Whitetail scouting on public land requires a tactical and focused skill set acquired by maneuvering a variety of changing variables.

Every hunting season, a few hunters are not as careful as they should be, and they deal with the consequences. Whether that comes from not properly hanging tree stands or not managing them year-round, it is important to understand the safety and hunting precautions behind hunting in a treestand.

As hunters, we have always been told that hunting in the wind will not yield the big buck we've seen on our trail cam. Time after time, we have been told that in high wind conditions, deer movement is almost nonexistent.

One crucial thing hunters can almost never know enough about is tracking a deer after a shot. Every hit is different. While you can hope for a deer that falls and stays right where it was when you hit it, they often keep moving and walking for some time.

To hunt the wind for deer, position your stand downwind or crosswind of expected deer movement. Plan entry and exit routes to avoid blowing scent into bedding areas, and adjust your setup as wind direction changes. Deer rely heavily on scent, so controlling wind exposure is critical for avoiding detection and increasing hunting success.

It's only natural for us hunters to pay more attention to the weather as deer season approaches. From the sudden cloud coverage on a crisp fall day to the slight drizzle of snow you weren't expecting to the noisy wind shaking the trees, we are aware of every single change in the atmosphere.

Despite where we are all from, how long our state's season lasts, how old we are, or how many deer we have filled the freezer with, we all have the magic of opening day in common.  Whether you have hunted 30 opening days or this is your first one, it is always a day to be excited for, just like a toddler on Christmas morning.

Every hunter knows that rain puts a damper not only on the ground but also on deep camp. Many of us save our vacation time all year long for this short season, which is our pride and joy.

When it comes to the annual whitetail rut, you no longer have to leave it to chance, your best guess, or any of the outdated and inaccurate myths and urban legends that have been passed down from hunter to hunter over time.