If you are considering bow hunting for the first time, or even if you have already enjoyed countless hours in various tree stands, there is a wealth of archery hunting information available at Google.com just go to Google and type archery in the search box. Nothing can describe the feeling you get, as you become part of the surrounding environment in your camoflage hunting cloths. Birds get acquainted with you and you start to watch all the other little critters. A squirrel will find you and he will tell everything in the woods where you are at, then he will usually leave, if you totally ignore him. Kind of like a squirrel at a bar. A quiet camera is another thing to bring with you on your hunt, pictures will be valuable in the Golden years as memories and pictures take the place of being out in the woods.
1.Using archery equipment that fits you is very important, comfort and ability to use are key factors. There are different legal requirements in some states. Modern day hunters are very lucky; he or she can start out with a compound bow. Instead of the old long bowl like I got my first deer with. If you have a longbow with a 50 pound draw, you will find it hard to hold on target very long, unless you spend lots of time at the gym. If you are handicapped and have limited use of your arms you can get a permit to hunt with a crossbow in most states. My left shoulder joint disintegrated in 1985. I have used a crossbow since then, had to quit two years ago, not even enough strength for that.

2.Practice shooting you bow several weeks before your hunting seasons starts, practice from different distances but be realistic, no long-distance live shots. Nobody wants to cripple and loose an animal. Hunting from a tree stand you just wait until the deer is 20 to 35 yards away, practice to be on target at those distances. You will be able to send your arrow through the heart and lung area and not cripple the animal. Archery season is usually before the snow is on the ground. You don’t want to try tracking without snow, if you do, have strips of cloth to go back to when you loose the trail. If you change tree stand elevations, practice from each elevation, the angle of your shot will determine where you aim. If you sit on a bucket or a chair on the ground you still can have a rewarding hunt. Time just becomes a critical factor, the deer will see you about the same time you see it so you have to be ready. You can usually find a place to sit among low hanging evergreens, Side mirrors would be handy, and are probably on the market today. I can imagine one deer telling the other,”don’t go near that tree with the rear view mirrors.”

3.Plan to find your hunting spot several weeks to a year in advance. If you are lucky enough to be able hunt on private land and can build a permanent tree stand, build it a few months before the season. Have two stands to use depending on wind direction. The critters will forget about the noise and get used to the change in their environment. Make sure to build it safe, if you take flight from up there the landing is always hard. Construct your stand in a tree near intersecting deer trails if possible or on a main trail. Scout out the area first, look for signs of deer, droppings etc., a well traveled trail will be packed down and easy to see. DON’T put it too high up, don’t want to be shooting very straight down Your first trip up on the tree stand clear out small branches that will be in the way of a clear shot to the ground. You don’t want to be breaking any branches on the first morning you go hunting, or your deer will just laugh at you from a distance. If you have to use a portable stand on public land find the trees to use before the season, check them out for how the portable stand will work.

4.Always consider the wind direction as to where your scent will be blowing, masking scents are available to cover human body odor. You could bring a road killed stunk along, guess that would be overkill as far as masking scents go, and your wife won’t let you back in the house. If the number of days you have available to hunt are limited try to have a second location to choose from depending on the wind direction. If the wind is blowing your scent to the deer you might as well not be there, the deer will not show up and your wasting your hunting time.

5.Never relieve yourself from or near your deer stand. Plan to be situated quietly in your tree for at least an hour before hunting time starts in the morning. Go to your tree early in the evening, try to get to and up in your tree as quietly as possible. The deer will hear you QUIETLY crunching through the brush, but they will forget about it if you don’t scare them too bad. Learn to be quiet all the while you’re in your tree. No coughing, no blowing nose, you’ll learn to control a sneeze, no chewing noisy snacks, no smoking for sure, if you chew and need to spit have spit bottle, no talking if you’re sharing your stand with somebody. You could try to enhance your chance for a successful hunt with deer calls, doe scents or rattling antlers together.
My largest deer with the antique crossbow[/caption]
I hope the best part of your hunt is getting out into the great outdoors enjoying all
the fresh air, smells, sounds, and sights you can take in.