Prefered method for harvesting Deer with a Rifle.

[7magWoodsman]

I prefer the spot and stalk method with tree coming in a distant second....although I have used em all....and I know you can call/rattle or bait while using other methods but I mean truly relying strictly on the certain method...

[Redhawk1]

I am a ground blind hunter 80% of the time, I will also hunt in a tree stand.  :grin:

[Graybeard]

I'm not politically correct enough to "harvest" game. I shoot them and when I shoot them I kill them.

I actually prefer still hunting but am pretty much too fat and out of shape to do it anymore. My health has gone down hill drastically in the past few years and I just can't walk the hills the way I used to. And I can't drag a deer out over them even if I could get back there to kill one.

So that means I spend my time either in a treestand or ground blind waiting to ambush one now. And it is seldom far from my truck. The place I hunt most now the truck is seldom much over 200 yards away from me and more often than not a 25 yard drag is all that's required to get it to where the truck can drive. Not the way I prefer to do it but what my health requires of me.

[7magWoodsman]

I'm not politically correct enough to "harvest" game. I shoot them and when I shoot them I kill them.

I agree with that 100% and I am no way politically correct, I just always liked the words reap and harvest,(I don't use these words in person just like the way they look on computer) don't know why, kill works for me though.....I am truly sorry you can't hunt the way you like, and wish you many, many more years of "shooting" any animal you choose to "kill" and eat. Thanks for participating in my poll............Happy Hunting and Killing... :-)

[THE#1hunter]

About 95% of my deer taken have been shot while still hunting, and the other 5% from a stand.All methods work,but some more or less than others, to each his own...

[Dave in WV]

Bill, glad you're able to enjoy hunting. IMHO the distance from your truck doesn't change anything other than from the way you used to do things. A friend told me of his experience of meeting a gentleman while hunting that had an ATV with a winch on it. He never had anyone to hunt with and got up in years and was leary of dragging a deer out. His solution was to buy an ATV with a winch so he didn't have to lift or drag the deer. I hope you have many more hunting years ahead. Dave

[Lawdog]

Graybeard,

My health has gone down hill drastically in the past few years and I just can't walk the hills the way I used to. And I can't drag a deer out over them even if I could get back there to kill one.

Many a time I have sat and thought about what it would be like to take the knowledge I have accumulated in my lifetime, take a pill or whatever and get the body back I had when I was 18.  Just think the knowledge and wisdom(?) with the physical abilities to be able to do it.  To be able to chase after Mountain Sheep again.  That would be heaven on Earth.  Lawdog
         

[scottt]

I chose ground blind because that is the closest to what I usually do. I just sit against a fence or tree or whatever  I can lean against and have only had one deer spot me that I know of, which was when I rattled in a huge buck. The others probably left before I saw them! I just like being on the ground.

[crawfish]

You don't have my way listed so I'll tell you. I prefer to SHOOT them. I have found over my many years of hunting deer that by using the rifle as a club or spear you do not utilize it to it's full potential. So my vote is for SHOOTING. Please correct your poll to offer that choice.    :wink:   :-D  

[7magWoodsman]

You mean I didn't have to ducktape my huntin' knife to my gun barrel??? :lol:    :-D

[DeerMeadowFarm]

I voted for still hunting only because there wasn't a "tracking" option. In the case where there is snow I find tracking to be the most rewarding way to hunt deer. I'm not very good at it, but I am getting better!

[7magWoodsman]

I think tracking falls under stalking and still hunting myself, I use tracks 100% of the time. There don't have to be snow to track animals, the dew is as giving in early morning as is leaves on the forest floor as is high weeds and growed up stuff,low grass is an easy read and dirt/sand is even easier and don't over look little things like "scratches" on rocks/gravel and moss just take your time....if you know what to look for it is very possible to follow "sign" in almost any terrain...also any hunter should use tracks regardless of method used....I have seen hundreds(thousands?) of deer by checking with my binoculars after I have seen a fresh set of tracks, just remember if you see an odd moving branch in the distance take your time and scan carefully being very prepared to change your tactics and when all else fails "jog" a big circle and wait a while......also my opinion of the "BEST" hunter is one who seamlessly blends "ALL" methods listed and uses strategy to boot...

The most important thing when Stalking and /or Still Hunting is to read tracks well, because you may only see 3 deer but there is really 5, and the two that you can't see is the two that will see you the most often. With experience tracks can be read from considerably long distances and can tell you how many critters and which direction/area each is headed/in...always pay careful attention to all your surroundings espeacily other wildlife.

Scout as much as you can and while hunting. Really "scouting" is a speacilized form of tracking in a sense, and is critical to advancing your skills as a hunter, regardless of the animal(s) you intend to kill.

[shooter444002]

You left the funnest and most productive way of deer hunting out!!! I like to run the dogs!!!! IF I cant run the dogs  I will take to the trees or sit on the ground.

[7magWoodsman]

You left the funnest and most productive way of deer hunting out!!! I like to run the dogs!!!! IF I cant run the dogs  I will take to the trees or sit on the ground.

   I apologize for my negligence and I totally agree, dog hunting (although illegal in my state) is "just about" the "OLDEST" and most commonly overlooked form of hunting deer there is....again I apologize for leaving out a method so important to the history of our race. I have hunted deer with dogs in the past and you are correct about it being fun and productive.  

[WNY_Whitetailer]

I take to a tree whenever I can...Ground Blind next...Then still hunting...It all depends on what hunting implement is legal at the time...Bow or gun...

[7mm MAGNUM]

I'm pretty much a "Ground Blind " hunter. I'll scout areas that I see look good to me (funnels, saddles, etc.) that show sign of good activity and set a ground blind off in the distance.

In between the course of the day I may pick up and walk to a new spot and keep an eye open at the same time while doing so.