Feeding Patterns

Ambushing deer on their way to a primary food source is one of the best ways to harvest trophy animals. However, a hunter who understands a deer's feeding pattern during the middle of the day will be more successful year in and year out. Take time to find out what plants the deer feed on during the day and plan to hunt those areas this fall. If left undisturbed the deer will bed right in the middle of these spots. It’s always best to play in front of the deer and getting into these spots before the deer do is essential.
Jim
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Tracks-Mule-Deer-Manifesto/dp/1470168987

Early Season Mule Deer

Believe it or not, most early season mule deer are killed while spotting and stalking. It isn’t the best tactic, in fact 80% of the deer will spook before your in range. Stalking to within range works best with a strong wind to blow both your scent and the sound of your approach away from the deer.

I avoid stalking bedded deer unless it is a last resort. The problem is if you spook the deer (and you probably will), they won’t return to that bed again this season and you’ll be left looking for another buck.

A much better way to hunt early mule deer is to wait in ambush between feeding and bedding areas. Look for trails with rubs, droppings, and nibbled plants, This is where you’ll want to wait in ambush.

If the wind is right and you don’t get a shot, you’ll be able to setup on the same deer agin tomorrow.

Jim
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Tracks-Mule-Deer-Manifesto/dp/1470168987

How the Zen Approach Can Help You Be a Better Hunter

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 think 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/Blood-Tracks-Mule-Deer-Manifesto/dp/1470168987

Mid-day

Many hunters are under the impression that big deer only feed at night. While deer are primarily nocturnal, they can’t go all day without feeding. The demand for nutrition is just too great. A buck must feed at least every couple of hours, even if it is a small amount. A deer is most vulnerable when feeding and they eat very fast. During the day buck will bed right in a food source if possible. He can stand up, feed for a few minutes, and lay back down without much movement. This has been the undoing of a lot of bucks.
Jim
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Tracks-Mule-Deer-Manifesto/dp/1470168987

Don’t Give Up on Mid-day Hunting

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 field will produce more opportunities than eating lunch.

Jim

 

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Tracks-Mule-Deer-Manifesto/dp/1470168987

Staying Flexible in a Changing Hunting Environment

Think of yourself as stretchable, expandable, and able to adapt to anything new. Who wants to view themselves as static, inflexible, and unable to adapt? Changes in the hunting environment are unpredictable, and we will be asked to adapt to changes we never anticipated.

When changes occur it’s best to think ahead, but not too far ahead. Instead of abandoning our efforts, focus on changes we can make in the immediate future. I mean think of how you can get ahead of the deer, not next time, but right NOW!

The most important strategy for staying flexible during change is to prepare for various change scenarios. If we create a plan for each possible set of change circumstances, we are prepared to engage change in any way that affects us in the field.

Jim

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