We’re Not Hunting on Television

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

 

We're not even living in a reality show either.

Outdoor Television has seduced us into believing that we only have to hunt like they do and we’ll be successful. Real hunts don’t take 30 minutes and big deer aren’t hiding behind every bush.

In real life little depends on what happens in the next ninety seconds. It takes more than 30 minutes to hunt a whitetail.

Real hunting is actually far better than it is on TV. It takes longer and the deer are harder to come by.

-Jim
Get the Book Here

The Earth is Flat

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I'm hearing some pretty strange things said about deer and deer hunting these days. It would be really funny, except - it's keeping a lot of transformational hunters from succeeding.

These "Whitetail Myths" are part of a HUGE misunderstanding about deer that many of today’s experts are perpetuating on hard working hunters. Right up there with:
The earth is flat.
Women shouldn't have the vote.

Remember those? They weren't true either, but much of society believed them for centuries.

Want to see the "Whitetail Myths" that you've been told (and have believed!) that are keeping you from the consistent success you deserve? They're all in a special book, "Buck Naked: The Straight Dope on Trophy Whitetails"
This book is only about 135 pages long, and it's packed with great information, so check it out now:

Get Your Copy Here

http://jimcollyer.com/

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
Jim

Sneak Preview

Several weeks ago I told you I would have an announcement concerning my new book, Buck Naked: The Straight Dope on Trophy Whitetails.

Here it is!

Within the next two weeks Buck Naked will come out with a second edition. We’re giving the book a complete new look. A new and exciting cover as well as new interior images.

The new cover and exterior images were provided courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails. The good folks at Apple Creek live and breathe whitetail deer. Currently they are running one of the most prestigious and successful deer hunting ranches in Wisconsin. My deep gratitude goes to everyone at Apple Creek Whitetails for their help in making my book even better.

For the very best in Wisconsin trophy hunting contact:

Apple Creek Whitetails Ranch
Hunting Operations Manager
Attention: Chad DeBauch
14109 County Road VV
Gillett, WI 54124
Toll Free: 877-431-HUNT
(4868)

If you are fortunate enough to have a copy of the first edition, hang on to it. History has shown us first edition hunting books dramatically increase in value in just a few short years. The idea to come up with an improved cover and interior was suggested by several members of the publishing community and, of course, the hunting box stores.
Be sure to check your e-mails over the next couple of weeks as we will be announcing a launch day for the new book, Buck Naked.

There are still a few copies of the original book available through Amazon, but when they're gone, they're gone. If you want an first edition, you better order today.

Get a Copy Today
Until then,
Jim

The 7 Deadly Sins of Whitetail Hunting

The 7 Deadly Sins of Whitetail Hunting


1) Lack of Scouting
The number one cause for failure in whitetail hunting is the lack of scouting. The second greatest cause for failure in whitetail hunting is not knowing what to look for while scouting. Proper scouting is for more than just seeing big deer. We must learn to differentiate between deer sign left by does and deer sign left by bucks. Furthermore, we must be able to differentiate average buck sign from exceptional buck sign.

2) Lack of Scent Control
Too often hunters enter the field with little regard to their scent. Scent control requires more than simply wearing clean unscented clothing. We must be aware of wind direction at all times and how the morning and evening thermals drift our scent through the forest. Cover scents are nice, but seldom do they put venison in the freezer.

3) Lack of Awareness
We must stay focused on the task at hand. If we allow our thoughts to drift elsewhere, when the buck shows we won’t be ready. Hunting trophy deer often involves many hours of boredom. Keeping our minds in the now is crucially important. One way to help accomplish this is to focus on our breathing whenever we find our thoughts wandering away from the hunt.

4) Lack of Shooting Proficiency
Practice, practice, practice. We should be so familiar with our bow or rifle that shooting it and shooting it accurately is second nature to us. A hunter fiddling around with a weapon he is unfamiliar with has saved the lives of more big bucks than just about anything else.. Our focus needs to be on seeing dear. The shooting should be automatic.

5) Lack of Whitetail Knowledge
Deer are not people. We tend to attribute human characteristics to the deer. Unfortunately, deer view the world completely different than humans do. An understanding of how deer react to different stimulus is critical. We need to understand both a deer’s physical needs and which type of habitats deer prefer.

6) The Inability to Adapt to Changes in Deer Behavior
Nothing in nature is static. Everything is in constant flux. Weather and wind direction can change rapidly. A food source that was available weeks ago has now dried up. We must constantly evaluate changes in the environment which affect deer behavior and adjust our strategies and tactics to adapt to the current situation.

7) Lack of True Intent
Odds are you will only harvest a buck as big as what you are willing to settle for. Hunters with a good visual image of the buck they want generally harvest bigger bucks. Simply stated, everyone wants a big buck, but if you’re willing to settle for less that’s what you’ll get.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
Jim
Order the Book Now

Whitetail Body Language Secrets

A buck with his tail extended straight out behind him means he is getting ready to bolt. Shoot now or forever hold you peace. (Photo courtesy Apple Creek Whitetails)

A buck with his tail cupped indicates he is sexually excited. (Photo courtesy Apple Creek Whitetails)

The meanings behind a whitetail deer’s body language hold true throughout the species. Hunters have interpreted these signals since deer hunting began. A hunter who possesses a basic understanding of this language will be better prepared to know what’s about to happen next.

Since females constitute between 60 and 80 percent of any given herd, we’ll start there. A feeding doe will generally lower her head to eat, then suddenly lift it a few seconds later to look nervously around. She cocks her ears forward and appears to be looking at some real or imagined danger. She may stare for a minute or more. Then she gives a switch of her tail and begins to feed again. To the trained observer, this tail switch means "all clear" and the deer around her relax.

Foot stomping typically occurs when a deer has detected something out of the ordinary, but can’t quite tell what it is. This stomping is often followed by a sharp nasal snort or "blow" in an attempt to provoke this unidentified danger into giving itself away.

Now the deer’s tail begins to rise. If she raises it just a bit, she may eventually calm down and begin feeding again. This is where a deer stare-down begins. Most hunters cannot win a stare-down with a deer. The average person can’t hold a stare for more than thirty seconds, while a deer can hold its gaze steady for up to three minutes or more.

If a doe raises her tail higher, or cocks it to one side, she’s about to bolt. The tail soon points straight up and begins to flagging from side to side as she hurries away.

Instantly, the entire herd is aware a predator is around and the jig is up. Pay attention to the deer that isn’t flagging. More than likely, it’s your buck. Big bucks don’t like to draw attention to themselves and usually run with their tails tucked between their legs.

Another tactic used by deer to get predators to reveal themselves is a head bob or head fake. A deer will be staring at some unidentified object and then slowly lower its head as if about to feed. When its jaw drops below its chest, the head will snap back up to see if the object has moved. The key to recognizing this move is that the head drops painfully slow and there is no tail switching.

When a deer is mildly alarmed, refrain from making your move until its head is clearly behind some object, such as a tree, or the tail switches to give the "all clear" sign.

A deer’s body language often gives away the presence of other deer. During the rut, if a doe trots by and looks over her shoulder with her ears moving, the hunter needs to look closely behind her and to be ready. A buck is more than likely following her.

Typically a doe in estrus will hold her tail straight out and stiff. This posture often indicates her readiness to breed. You should also start looking for a buck nearby if she appears nervous and her hock glands are dark.

The social structure within a deer herd is well defined. Body language is commonly used to establish the hierarchy or pecking order. All deer, both bucks and does, display aggressive behavior in order to establish this pecking order.

The mildest display of aggression is called the ear drop. When a deer drops its ears back along its neck, it is often enough keep other deer away. If the other deer does not respond to the ear drop, a hard stare will follow. When neither of these works the deer will begin to “sidle.”

The deer turns its head about thirty degrees from its adversary and advances with a series of sidling steps (walking sideways towards his opponent). Its head is held erect, ears back, and chin down. The hair along its neck and hips is raised to show anger. When a buck begins to sidle pay close attention to his posture. The dominant buck will hold his head highest. If the buck you are watching has his head in a lowered or submissive posture there is probably a bigger buck in the vicinity.

If all of this posturing fails to establish the pecking order, a conflict is sure to arise. The does will rise up on their hind legs and slash at their opponent with their hoofs. When the opponents are bucks, antlers will clash.

Buy the Book Now

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
Jim
http://jimcollyer.com/