Don’t Bet the Farm

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

 

If you’ve located a big buck close to a road with plenty of access, don’t bet the farm on him being there when the season opens. You can be sure other hunters have seen him too. While you shouldn’t over look these convenient places, your pre-season scouting should be focused on giving as many options as possible.

Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

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How the Zen Approach Can Help You Be a Better Hunter

Apple Creek Whitetails Photo

 

 

Even if you're the type who would rather eat worms than meditate, getting a little Zen can improve your hunting:


Don't Get Attached
In Zen-speak, it's called "being attached"—that is, caring so much about harvesting a big buck or an outcome that you're disappointed when you can't have it. Don't get attached to your tactics, because you may change them. Don't get attached to the idea of Getting into Boone & Crockett, because if it doesn't happen you may be too discouraged to keep plugging away.


Simplify, Simplify
Zen practitioners urge people to make do with less. Not only will this simplify your life—it will help your hunting. Go through your equipment and gadgets and throw away all unnecessary items. This will be about 90% of them. Don't buy into the latest complicated, expensive hunting fad, it won’t help.


Be Mindful
Do what you're doing. When you're hunting-hunt-don’t be tthink about your partner, job or what you have to do tomorrow. Being mindful will help you become more productive—and less stressed while you’re hunting..

Happy hunting!
Jim

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

Find the Bedroom

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

 

When I speak of a deer’s bedroom, I don’t necessarily mean where a deer sleeps. What I’m talking about here is areas where breeding occurs. I’m looking for areas with thick brush or with young trees close together. The doe, with her smaller frame and lack of antlers can easily out maneuver an amorous buck in such places. She picks where and when the breeding occurs.

Remember a buck doesn’t like to force his antlers through branches bigger than your thumb. Being able to get a good shot in the thick stuff can be hard to impossible. Don’t set up and hide where you can only see a few yards out. You’re going to be better off setting up on the downwind edge of these bedrooms where visibility is better..

Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

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Summer Scouting

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

 

Summer is one of the best times to scout for trophy bucks. The bucks are very visible while feeding in the early morning and late evening. Being able to pattern the bucks movement will greatly increase your chances come opening day.

Alfalfa and beans are great summer food sources. It's best to drive by these fields just before dark. Try to stay at least two to three hundred yards from the deer. You don't want to spook them before the season starts. The bucks will be in bachelor groups and any scouting done now will only be effective if you can hunt before they shed their velvet. After the first week of September the bucks will separate, start looking at other food sources, or feed after dark.

Jim

Get Comfortable

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

Make sure your stand is a comfortable one. Be ready to sit for long periods of time-two hours or more- without any noticeable movement. A deer’s eyes are geared to pick up movement. If you can’t sit still your chances greatly are greatly diminished.

Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

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Don’t Give Up on Mid-day Hunting

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

Most hunters are gone by 11:00 am, and most of the deer know this.  A mature buck will often get out of his bed and feed for a few minutes around mid-day.  This is an excellent time to catch a buck feeding or looking for does. Staying in the stand will produce more opportunities than eating luncn.

Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/

Grab a copy of the book here

Trial and Error

Photo courtesy of Apple Creek Whitetails

 

Most of what I know about hunting its been learned through trial and error. Errors will occur whether you want them to or not. Mistakes are difficult to avoid, especially in hunting.

Hunters mistakenly believe the way to avoid making mistakes is to avoid trying new tactics. I think we should try new tactics.

The truth is that what you been doing is going to get you what you been getting. If you want changes in your success rate, you must first change yourself.

-Jim

http://jimcollyer.com/