Deer Hunting: Guide for New and Experienced Hunters

Deer hunting is a popular outdoor activity that allows hunters to harvest deer for meat and sport. It attracts over 10 million participants in the United States each year. For many, deer hunting is a lifelong tradition passed down through generations. For others, it’s a new hobby that provides an exciting way to spend time in nature.

This complete guide covers everything you’ll need to know about deer hunting, from choosing the right equipment and locating deer, to shot placement and field dressing. With helpful information and tips from experienced hunters, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to have safe, ethical, and rewarding hunts.

Table of Contents

What is Deer Hunting?

Deer hunting is the practice of hunting deer for meat or sport. Deer are large mammals that are found in many parts of the world. They are typically hunted using firearms or archery equipment.

Why do People Hunt Deer?

There are many reasons why people hunt deer. Some people hunt deer for meat, while others hunt them for sport. Deer hunting can also be a way to connect with nature and spend time outdoors with friends and family.

Benefits of Deer Hunting

Deer hunting has a number of benefits, including:

Provides a source of food: Venison, the meat from deer, is a healthy and nutritious source of protein.
Helps to control deer populations: Deer populations can become overpopulated, which can lead to problems such as crop damage and disease transmission. Hunting helps to keep deer populations in check.
Supports conservation efforts: Hunters often pay taxes and license fees that support wildlife conservation efforts.
Provides a recreational activity: Deer hunting can be a fun and challenging recreational activity.

Deer Hunting Gear

The basic gear you need for deer hunting includes:

A hunting license: A hunting license is required to hunt deer in most areas.
A hunting weapon: A hunting weapon is required to kill deer. Common hunting weapons include firearms and archery equipment.
Ammunition or arrows: Ammunition or arrows are needed to load your hunting weapon.
Camouflage clothing: Camouflage clothing helps you to blend in with your surroundings and avoid being seen by deer.
Binoculars: Binoculars are helpful for spotting deer at a distance.
A rangefinder: A rangefinder is helpful for determining the distance to a deer before you take a shot.

Selecting Hunting Gear and Equipment

Having the right hunting gear makes all the difference for comfort, safety, and success out in the field. Here’s an overview of key equipment deer hunters require:

Firearms for Deer Hunting

The hunting rifle or shotgun is arguably the most critical gear choice. Considerations include:

Bolt Action Rifles – Known for accuracy and reliability. Common calibers used are .270, .308, 30-06, or 7mm Remington Magnum.

Lever Action Rifles – Allow quick follow up shots. Often chambered for pistol rounds like .44 Magnum.

Shotguns – Effective at short range with slugs or buckshot. Lead to easy handling and quick shooting.

Muzzleloaders – For black powder purist hunting their own primitive season. Require patience to load but add challenge.

For most beginners, a bolt action rifle like the Remington 700 provides the best balance of versatility, affordability, and sufficient power for deer.

Ammunition

Match your ammunition to your chosen firearm. Look for these features in deer hunting rounds:

Expanding Bullets – Mushroom upon impact for quick, ethical kills.
Controlled Expansion – Prevent excessive meat damage while penetrating deep.
Sufficient Velocity – Required to reach vitals from typical hunting distances. Heavier bullets carry energy better downrange.
Trusted Brands – Federal, Winchester, Hornady, and Remington make reliable ammo. Ask fellow hunters what shoots best in your rifle.

Sight in your firearm with your decided hunting rounds until confident with point of aim at varying distances.

Camouflage Clothing

The right camouflaged hunting clothing helps a hunter blend into the surroundings. The best hunting apparel offer the following features:

Pattern Matching – Choose camouflage (or camo for short) mimicking colors and texture in your specific hunting environment.
Scent Control – Special fabrics and detergents limit human odor exposure.
Silence – Avoid noisy fabrics swishing or rustling.
Layers – Adds warmth and enable removing and adding as temperatures fluctuate.
Gloves + Face Masks – Conceal exposed skin that can spook deer.

Avoid wearing watches, jewelry, glasses, or anything else that can reflect light and blow your cover.

Deer Scents

Deer scents can be used to attract deer or mask human odor:

Doe urine: Makes a buck think does are nearby. Apply to boots and scrapes.

Deer lure: Place a scent wick near your stand to pull in deer.

Cover scents: Eliminate or hide human smell. Use on clothes or sprinkle around an area.

Check regulations on baiting deer and attractant scents in your region before using. Only apply scents with good airflow to avoid spooking deer.

Tree Stands and Blinds

Hunting from an elevated perch offers advantages:

Improved Visibility – See and spot deer easier before they detect you.
Concealment – Blinds and stands hide your movements and contain scent.
Clear Shooting – Aimed downward shots are easier to execute properly.

Portable stands allow relocating as conditions change. Lock-on stands provide stability and minimize human odor. Blinds camouflage effectively anywhere but limit visibility.

Deer Decoys and Calls

Hunting decoys and calls can draw deer in by mimicking other deer:

Full-Body Deer Decoys – The most realistic option, showing a full deer. Add realism with motorized ear and tail movements.
Antler Rattling – Mimics two bucks sparring. Rattle shed antlers together to grab the attention of bucks.
Grunt Calls – Make social grunts that indicate a deer is nearby. Attracts curiosity from others.
Bleat Can – Imitate fawn bleats to trigger the protective maternal instincts of does.

Properly using decoys requires scouting knowledge and experience. Avoid overusing and rely more on wind direction, thermals, and concealment.

Other Useful Hunting Gear

Additional gear that comes in handy includes:

Rangefinder – Necessary to confirm distance to deer and shot viability.
Hunting Knife – Fixed blade knife on belt for field dressing. Folding knife as backup.
Hunting BackPack – Haul supplies like extra ammo, food, first aid, and survival kit.
Two-way Radios – Allows silent communication with hunting partners.
GPS Device – Mark waypoints and assists relocating stands and trails. Helps track wounded deer.
Hunting Scent Eliminators – Soaps, sprays, and cover scents to mask human odors in the field.

Effective Deer Hunting Techniques

When it comes to deer hunting, learning different techniques can greatly improve your chances of a successful hunt. Let’s explore some common and effective deer hunting techniques:

1. Stand Hunting

What it is: Stand hunting is a classic method where you settle into a tree stand or ground blind and patiently wait for deer to come within shooting range.
Why it’s great: This technique gives you a strategic advantage. It provides a better view, reduces your scent’s spread, and increases your chances of landing a shot.
What it takes: Successful stand hunting demands knowing how deer behave, understanding your hunting terrain, and the patience to stay still and hidden for a while.

2. Spot and Stalk

What it is: Spot and stalk hunting involves spotting deer from a distance and then skillfully tracking and getting close enough for a shot.
Why it’s great: It’s an exciting way to hunt, especially in open terrain. You need sharp observation skills, camo savvy, and a deep understanding of deer behavior.
What it takes: To excel, you’ll need tracking skills, the ability to recognize deer signs, and the finesse to move quietly and undetected.

3. Rattling

What it is: Rattling mimics the sound of bucks clashing antlers, simulating a fight that can attract curious deer.
Why it’s great: Especially effective during the rut when bucks are more aggressive, rattling can bring deer into range for a clear shot.
What it takes: Successful rattling requires knowing when and how to use it. You’ll need to understand deer behavior in different seasons and create realistic antler clashing sounds.

4. Calling

What it is: Calling involves using a deer call to imitate various deer vocalizations like grunts, bleats, or estrous calls to lure in deer.
Why it’s great: Skillful calling can draw deer closer, making them easier targets. It’s handy for pulling deer into range or maintaining their attention.
What it takes: Effective calling requires understanding deer communication nuances, perfect timing, and knowing which calls to use in specific hunting situations.

By mastering these deer hunting techniques, you can boost your chances of a successful and ethical hunt. These methods not only show your expertise but also align with responsible hunting practices.

Scouting Deer and Choosing a Hunting Location

Finding where deer frequent takes research before opening day. Scouting quality locations where deer actively travel and feed is a key to hunting success. Deer seek out quality food sources to meet their nutritional needs. Look for these signs of an active deer area:

Finding Food and Water Sources

Deer prioritize food and water for survival. Focus scouting on locations providing:

Agricultural Crops – Row crops like corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and winter wheat attract deer, especially at dawn and dusk. Get permission to access private lands holding crops.
Mast Trees – Oaks, beech, hickory, and other hardwoods dropping acorns and nuts. Hunt public land forests near mast trees.
Food Plots – Planted greens, grains, brassicas and legumes established specifically for wildlife. Prime spots are over food plots on private property.
Water Sources – Elements like streams, farm ponds, and marshlands hold deer. Look for tracks and trails around water.

Identifying Deer Trails and Corridors

Deer create trails as they travel between bedding areas, food, and water. Ideal stand placement targets zones where deer naturally funnel such as:

Saddles – Low points along a ridge or hillside that deer traverse between two drainages or bedding areas.
Points – Where two or more terrain features meet to channel deer movement. For example, a point where a ridge and creek join.
Pinch Points – Any narrow gaps between two terrain features squeezing deer into predictable trails.
Funnels – Formed by human elements like fences, roads, development. Find corridors where deer must pass through.

Locating Bedding Areas

During most daylight hours, deer conserve energy bedded down:

Dense Brush -Seek thickets of saplings, mountain laurel, vine tangles that allow hiding while providing quick escape routes.
Downed Trees – Fallen timber creates shelter for bedding down. Look for blowdowns.
Creek Bottoms – The brush and timber along creek corridors create protective cover.
Standing Corners – Unharvested agricultural fields still provide concealment.
Cedar Stands – Cedar groves or windbreaks offer shelter from the elements.

Signs of Deer Activity

Other indicators of prime locations:

Rubs – Bucks thrash small trees and saplings to mark territory and strengthen necks. Notice rubbed off bark.
Scrapes – Dirt patches pawed out by bucks to leave scent for does before breeding season.
Tracks – Easy to identify hoof prints around food and water sources.
Scat – Deer droppings confirming areas they frequent.
Shed Antlers – Proof of deer presence. Look in early spring before growing vegetation covers them.

Planning a Hunting Setup for Success

With your deer scouting complete, it’s time to set up for opening day. Careful planning of your exact hunting location setup makes a difference in your odds of success. Follow this process:

Pinpoint Exact Hunting Locations

Analyze your scouting data to pick locations:

Food source hotspots: Set up within standard shooting range (100 yards or less) from prime food sources deer are using now. Places deer are browsing daily take priority over historic deer areas.
Water source trails: Pick zones that give you shots at trails between food, water, and bedding areas. Funnels and saddles are prime trail spots.
Blinds vs tree stands: Ground blinds let you hunt any spot. Elevated stands offer wider visibility over deer trails from above.

Choosing Exact Stand Locations

Use scouting knowledge to select ideal stands sites:

Downwind – Always set up with wind in your face blowing scent away from deer trails and feeding areas.
Shooting Lanes – Clear lanes through cover for safe, unobstructed shots. Avoid backstops like roads.
Visibility – Take advantage of elevations for clearer views. See funnels and saddle approaches.
Cover Access – Utilize terrain like drainage ditches to slip in quietly and concealed.
Multi-Wind Strategies – Have alternative stands to accommodate shifting winds.

Prepare Shooting Lanes

Clear obstacles: Remove limbs or brush blocking your shot path.
Consider backstops: Know what is beyond your target area to ensure safe shots. Never shoot without a proper backstop.
Practice various shot angles: Hang multiple stand locations to accommodate deer approach from all sides.

Use the Wind and Thermals

Check wind direction: Set up downwind so your scent blows away from deer hotspots and bedding areas.
Scent control: Use cover scents and blockers to contain odor. Avoid perfume, cologne, or strong soaps.
Follow thermals: As the air warms, scents rise. Stay above deer when hunting mornings until the thermal shift brings air downward.

Minimizing Scent and Noise

Two ways hunters get busted:

Scent Control – Shower with scent-free soap and apply cover sprays. Keep gear in scent proof bags and containers. Avoid gasoline, tobacco, cologne, etc. Never handle clothing after applying scents.
Silence – Practice stealth movements. Walk softly in quiet clothing. Handle gear slowly and smoothly. Remain still and limit scanning when deer are near.

Getting winded or heard means changing stand locations. Pay attention to scent and noise at all times.

Using Decoys and Calls

Decoys and calls work best on rutting bucks:

Decoy Placement – Set up where deer naturally travel but can approach from downwind. Avoid human odors on decoys.
Antler Rattling – Bang sheds together loudly to mimic sparring bucks. Follow with light ticking and then silent periods.
Calling Sparingly – Make social and rutting calls softly at first from concealed locations. Don’t overcall.
Patience – Calls and decoys require lingering in one area for extended time.

Proper use of decoys and calls comes from experience. Still hunt without relying on gimmicks.

Hunting During the Rut and Understanding Deer Behavior

Hunting during rut provides unique opportunities as deer focus on breeding:

Rut Timeframes

Timing the rut requires local knowledge:

Pre-Rut – Initial restlessness in early Fall before peak breeding. Bucks begin seeking does but still in bachelor groups.
Peak Rut – Frenzied breeding activity in late October through November depending on region. Bucks pursue does relentlessly. Fighting between bucks occurs.
Post-Rut – December period after peak rut when hunting pressure impacts skittish deer. Focus on late season nutrition sources.

The weeks around peak rut offer the most predictable deer activity and daylight movement.

Rut Hunting Strategies

Some effective tactics include:

All-Day Hunting – Peak rut sees deer moving at all hours as bucks search for does. Hunt all day.
Rattling & Calling – Mimics of deer fights and social sounds now grab attention to bring in bucks. Employ sparingly.
Scent Control – Follow rigorous odor elimination practices. Rutting bucks will investigate any unnatural smells.
Focus Food – Rutting activity decreases feeding. Hunt food sources for does and late-season bucks.
Scout Sign – Scrapes and rubs now show precisely where bucks roam.

Understanding Rutting Behaviors

The rut alters deer patterns and senses:

Breeding Focus – Deer let down their guard while pursuing mates despite danger. Allows usually easier archery shots.
Empty Signs – Bucks constantly make rubs and scrapes which look promising now but are quickly abandoned. Fresher sign indicates current activity.
Sparring Bucks – Listen for antler rattling and fighting indicating breeding competition.
Calling – Both bucks and does vocalize more often during the rut. Strategic calling grabs their interest.
Unpredictability – Lovestruck bucks follow hot does almost recklessly. Be ready for deer appearing almost anywhere.

Deer Hunting Seasons and Deer License Regulations

Deer season dates and limits vary across the country. Be sure you understand your area’s specific rules.

The type of deer season and licensing requirements can vary in each state and if you’re hunting in national forests. Do your homework to legally hunt.

Types of Seasons

Common deer hunting seasons include:

Archery: Early bow season allows more opportunity and challenges.
General rifle: Most popular season with the highest participation. Varies from as short as 3 days in some states to months long in others.
Late season: Some states offer a late muzzleloader or bow season after regular rifle seasons close.

Licensing

Requirements for licensing include:

Hunter safety certificate: Usually mandatory for all first-time hunters. Check your state’s minimum age requirement.
General hunting license: A hunting license for the state where you are hunting is required for most deer hunting. Some states offer exemptions for youth, seniors, etc. Hunting licenses are often sold at outdoor, hunting, or fishing retail stores.
Tags and permits: Necessary for regions with quotas for managing populations. These allow you to legally harvest deer.
Habitat and usage fees: Paid in addition to license costs. Fund conservation programs.

Limits and Quotas

Regulators limit deer harvests. Examples include:

Bag limits: Restrictions on the total number of deer per hunter. Typically ranges from 1-3 deer in a year.
Antler point restrictions: Prevent harvesting young bucks with small antlers, allowing them to mature.
One buck rule: Only allows taking one buck per season, often with antler limits.
Earn-a-buck: Must shoot an antlerless deer first before being able to take a buck.
Lottery tags: Winning a tag through a drawing gives you a permit for choice seasons/areas.

Effective and Ethical Shot Placement

Shot placement is vital for quick, humane harvests. Avoid gut shots, head-on shots, or quartering toward the off-shoulder. Avoid these bad shots:

Headshots: Risky with a small target area. Risk wounding loss and meat damage. Only for ultra-close range.
Neck shots: Can hit the spine but still often miss vitals. Marginal for a beginner.
Paunch shots: Into the gut. Causes slow, painful deaths. Never take gut shots.

Choosing Your Kill Zone

Focus on hitting the vitals:

Broadside Heart/Lung – The heart shot aim point is tight behind the front shoulder a third up from the bottom. Penetrates vital lungs and heart.
Broadside Lung – When front shoulder is forward, aim further back through the chest cavity into both lungs. Devastating without heavy bone.
Angled Away Quartering Lung – Slide shot through the rear of the front shoulder into the chest cavity. Don’t aim too far forward.
Perfect Opportunity – Wait for deer to quarter perfectly broadside or away. Confidently visualize shot path through vitals.

Remaining Patient

Rush less than ideal shots and wound loss increases:

Let Deer Move – If approaching on a bad angle, allow deer to walk into better positioning.
Draw Inconspicuously – Time drawing bow/raising gun for when deer looks away to avoid spooking it.
Confirm Kill Zone – Review animal anatomy. Resist doubts in the moment. Stick to only high percentage shots.
Tracking Practice – Be mentally and physically prepared to recover deer before taking marginal shots. Better to wait for another day.

Following Up After the Shot

Listen for Impact – A loud crack indicates solid hit. No noise suggests clean miss. Keep safety on and resist rushing second shots.
Give Time – Remain still and allow deer to bed down. At least 15 minutes, longer for marginal hits.
Mark the Spot – Note exact location and landmarks to return for blood trailing.
Safely Unload – At end of stand, carefully unload before descending.
Image Review – Mentally replay encounter to evaluate decision making and form. Learn and improve.

Tracking and Trailing Wounded Deer

When shots strike marginal areas, be prepared to trailing wounded deer:

Initial Response

React with care not to push deer deeper into cover:

Pinpoint Location – Mark down exact place of impact with GPS, landmarks, etc.
Quiet Exit – Descend stands very quietly then leave without disturbing the area further.
Wait – Allow at least 15-30 minutes for deer to expire and blood flow before trailing.
Gear Up – Gather all trailing supplies – first aid kit, flashlight, blood tracking solution, etc.
Call for Help – For difficult trailings, get experienced trackers to assist.

Look for Signs

Bright Blood – Lung hits leave foamy, blood sprayed on vegetation. Indicates good wound.
Sparse Blood – Pin prick specks are from internal bleeding. Challenging but followable.
Downhill Trails – Look where deer would travel downhill seeking water to lay down.
Paths of Least Resistance – Follow deer trails and fence lines where deer would naturally go vs thick cover.
Beds and Jump Spots – Sign deer attempted to lay but got back up indicates it has potential to survive. Stay on the trail.

Trailing Strategies

Walk Carefully – Move slowly and quietly to avoid pushing deer. Stay downwind so as to not spook it.
Stay Organized – Mark last sign and walk circles starting from there methodically. Grid search if losing the trail.
No Disturbance – Never walk directly on blood trails. Approach from the side to avoid destroying sign.
Patience – Be prepared to take hours or return the next day if signs is difficult.
When In Doubt, Back Out – If pushed too far without further sign, leave the deer alone and return in the morning.

Field Dressing and Processing Deer

Learning how to properly field dress, break down, and prepare your deer is one of the most important skills a hunter can develop. Taking the time to handle your harvest correctly results in delicious, high-quality venison.

After successfully harvesting a deer, the first step is field dressing. You’ll want to open up the body cavity and remove the entrails in the field rather than dragging out the whole intact carcass. Field dressing cools the meat faster, preventing spoilage. It also lightens the load for dragging or packing out.

Field Dressing Process

Hang for Draining

Position the deer on its back with hips slightly elevated. Many hunters hang the deer upside down from a gambrel through the back legs or from sturdy tree branches using rope.

Cut Chest Cavity

Make a shallow slice through the hide starting at the breastbone. Cut down towards the anus, being very careful not to puncture intestines. Circle all the way around the anus with your cut. It may take some effort to cut through the pelvic bone.

Remove Entrails

Reach inside and cut around the diaphragm separating the chest cavity from the guts.

Pull each intestinal tract tie off with your hands, then use your knife to sever any remaining connective tissue attaching organs.

Roll the stomach, intestines, bladder, and reproductive organs out onto the ground. If salvaging heart and liver, rinse them of blood.

Open the throat cut to allow any pooled chest cavity blood to drain.

Wipe Inside Cavity

Wipe down remaining blood and debris from the inside cavity walls using snow, grass, or paper towels.

Cool Carcass

Prop open the cavity with sticks or gambrel to facilitate air flow and cooling.

With field dressing complete, transport the carcass from the woods as soon as possible. Keep it shaded and cool. Many hunters pack ice into the cavity on warm days.

Quartering and Deboning

For animals harvested deep in the backcountry, you’ll need to quarter the carcass to pack out the meat. This also provides an opportunity to debone the meat for easier storage and processing.

Split Spine

Start by making a cut perpendicular to the spine between the hips and shoulders. This divides the deer in half between front and hind quarters.

Detach Legs

Cut through joint connective tissue at knees, hocks, and hips to separate legs from the quarters. Set legs aside.

Remove Muscle Groups

Work one muscle group at a time, slicing meat along the bones to remove loins and rounds. Debone until just the skeleton remains.

Trim Meat

Trim away any hair, dirt, or bloodshot areas. Cut quarters into packable portions if needed.

Now the meat is ready to be transported for aging, freezing, or further processing into cuts.

Aging Meat

For superior flavor and tenderness, venison benefits from proper aging:

Whole quarters can be aged while wrapped in cheesecloth inside refrigerators set between 34-40°F for 1-2 weeks. Monitor temperature closely.
Commercial aging bags also prevent drying while allowing the meat to breathe.
If weather is too warm for aging, freeze immediately to avoid spoilage.
Meat can actually be “wet aged” frozen at 0°F for several months with no risk of bacteria. Enzymes still break down tissue over time.

When aging, keep precise temperature control. Discard meat if any odors develop. 1-2 weeks improves flavor before texture suffers.

Butchering and Processing the Venison

After you finish preparing the carcass, the next step is to turn the deer quarters into usable cuts for cooking:

Remove silverskin and any remaining connective tissue from the large muscle groups.
For steaks, slice the backstraps, tenderloins, and other premium muscles into portions around 1-2 inches thick.
Saw or cut roasts by separating the major leg and shoulder muscles where they naturally divide.
Cut bone-in chops by sectioning the neck, rib, and bone-in leg meat.
Trim all remaining scrap into a ground pile. Mix with added fat if too lean.
Grind seasoned meat through a 3/8” plate taking care to keep components chilled.
Package steaks and roasts tightly in freezer wrap or vacuum seal bags. Use only plastic for ground meat.

Make sure you follow sanitation best-practices when processing venison to avoid bacterial contamination.

Freezing and Storing Venison

To best preserve the quality of your meat, follow these tips for storing or freezing venison:

Flash freeze all cuts and packs spread out on trays before stacking in freezer. Quick freezing prevents cellular damage.
Exclude all air from packs. Use multiple freezer wrap layers if not vacuum sealing.
Clearly label each pack with cut type and date. Arrange oldest first to use soonest.
Maintain freezer temp at 0°F or colder. Colder than zero extends shelf life.
Inspect packs regularly. Use discolored ones immediately. Venison keeps 6-12 months properly frozen.

With some experience, you can become skilled at field to table venison care for the highest quality meat.

Deer Hunting Safety

Deer hunting is a safe activity, but there are some precautions that you should take to avoid accidents. Some important safety tips include:

Always be aware of your surroundings: Be aware of other hunters, wildlife, and hazards in your area.
Never shoot at a deer that you cannot clearly identify: Make sure that you have a clear shot at a deer before you take it.
Always use a gun safety device: When you are not hunting, keep your firearm unloaded and stored in a safe place.

Have a Successful Deer Hunt

Deer hunting offers enjoyable outdoor recreation, tasty wild game, and a chance to continue America’s time-honored hunting heritage. This guide covered key steps for beginners, from scouting and stand placement to shot angles and field care. While there is much more to learn from experience, following these deer hunting tips will start you off on the right path to an ethical, safe, and exciting hunt.

Deer Hunting FAQs

What is the best beginner deer rifle?

Look for an affordable, secondhand quality bolt action like a Remington 700 or Savage 110 in a moderate caliber like .308 Winchester. The .308 has mild recoil but sufficient power for deer. Bolt actions are also very accurate and reliable. Avoid very light recoiling calibers that lack enough power.

Where should I aim for a clean kill?

The optimal aim point is centered right behind the front shoulder, one-third up from the bottom of the chest. This angle penetrates through the vital heart and lung area for a fast, humane harvest. Wait patiently for a broadside or slightly quartering away shot that clearly exposes this vitals region. Resist temptation for risky angled shots towards the head or rear.

How much draw weight do I need for deer hunting crossbow?

For adequate power, a minimum of 150 lbs draw weight is recommended on hunting crossbows. However, shoot for a draw weight between 175-200 lbs if you can cock and shoot the crossbow comfortably. Heavier draw weights allow flatter trajectory and deeper penetration while still managing the physical demands. Test various settings with a draw weight you can use properly.

How long should I wait to track a deer after shooting it?

It’s crucial to give a shot deer plenty of time before tracking. Wait a minimum of 15 minutes before taking up the trail to allow the animal to bed down and expire. For marginal shots or deeply penetrating arrows, give even more time – from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Be patient! Following up too soon risks pushing the deer and losing it.

How do I track a deer with no blood trail at night?

Slowly follow the deer’s projected escape path looking for specks of blood with a bright flashlight or headlamp. Fluorescent orange flagging helps mark the last sign. If reaching a road, methodically check both sides the deer may have crossed. If reaching a ‘dead end’, grid search the area with others watching ahead for any deer bedding down. Tracking at night is challenging but with persistence and proper technique, the deer can be recovered.

How long is venison good for in the refrigerator?

Properly handled and refrigerated at 40°F or below, venison steaks and roasts last 3-5 days, while ground venison lasts just 1-2 days. For longer freezer storage, cut up venison can keep 6-12 months when tightly wrapped with all air excluded and constantly frozen at 0°F. Freezing venison right after butchering gives you an ample window to enjoy it.

What is the effective range of most deer rifles?

The maximum ethical shooting range for most standard deer hunting calibers and loads is approximately 200 yards with practice. Keep shots inside 100 yards until gaining experience. The key is practicing extensively at varying distances to learn your rifle’s precise capabilities for clean kills.

How late is too late to track a deer after the shot?

It’s rarely too late to pick up the blood trail as long as sign of the wounded deer is still found. Be mentally and physically prepared to spend extra time and effort the longer you wait to take up trailing. In marginal hit cases, waiting overnight actually benefits tracking since the deer has time to stiffen and leave better sign. Just don’t bump the deer while it beds down.

What temperature should I keep venison stored long term?

For venison’s maximum freezer shelf life of 6-12 months, maintain a constant temperature of 0°F or colder. Use a thermometer to confirm your freezer holds at 0°F. The colder the temperature, the longer venison lasts frozen without deterioration in quality. Keeping venison any warmer than 0°F during frozen storage shortens its shelf life due to cellular breakdown.

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