Homework

The most effective way to preseason scout is to back track the deer. This often gives you a rare glimpse into the buck’s daily life. You’ll find out where he stages before entering the field, where he stops to eat available mast, and where his trail intersects the doe’s trail (usually indicated by a cluster rub from a previous season). All of these are great stand locations if the wind is favorable.
-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

Still Hunting

Whitetail deer like to travel edges. Most hunters recognize an edge as were timberline meets a crop field. While this is a great place to intercept a whitetail, there are a lot of edges that go unnoticed by hunters.

Fence rows, gullies, and even where a hillside week’s flatland are images recognized by the dear.

One of my favorite edges to hunt is at the base of a hill. Big bucks just seem to love to travel here.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

When the Velvet Comes Off

For those of you who have been patterning a big buck with the hopes of arrowing him in the coming archery season, the race is on. If you don’t stick him before the velvet comes off you will more than likely have to re-patterned him. Sitting on the edge of a crop field after the velvet comes off is hit and miss at best.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

When the Season’s Done

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

Of course it’s never done.

I’m scouting, looking at aerial photos, and planning my next hunt year-round.

Often, I’ll backtrack a buck I have just harvested for several hundred yards just to learn the wheres and whys of his travel patterns.

It’s an addiction.

I’m planning my next hunt before I even field dress the deer I just taken.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

Remain Undetected

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

 

Whitetail deer don’t like change. They will notice even the slightest change to their environment. We need to remain undetected while were hunting, scouting, and even while were hanging our stands.

Avoid making too many trips into your hunting area prior to the season. You’re only stinking up the place.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

The Hardest Part

A friend of mine asked me, “How did you get so knowledgeable on whitetails?”

I answered, “I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods and more importantly I did the reading.”

I’ve read everything I could get my hands on about hunting.

No one said preparation was the fun part, but it’s important. I wonder why we believe we can skip it and still be successful.

-Jim

http://www.amazon.com/Buck-Naked-Straight-Trophy-Whitetails/dp/1466498234

Looking for Excuses

This is the first warning sign that a hunt is in trouble. Sometimes it begins even before the hunt does.

Excuses make it easier to back off when the going gets tough. Great hunters take responsibility for everything that happens in the field.

Instead of seeking excuses, the successful hunter is obsessed with avoiding excuses.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/