tyler79+FollowDon’t hunt birds with a crossbow 🏹🚫Honestly wouldn't recommend a crossbow for small game or birds - you'll be breaking bolts left and right and it's overkill. BB gun or pellet rifle is way more practical and cheaper to shoot. Also check your local laws first! Some places have restrictions on crossbow hunting depending on season and game type. #hunting #pelletgun #SmallGameHunting #HuntingTips #HuntingGear101Share
Manuel Bright+FollowWish someone told me this before my first hunt 🦌Grew up with zero hunters in the family, so I had to learn the hard way. If you’re just starting out, here’s what actually helped: 1️⃣ Start with Hunter Education - boring but essential. You'll learn safety basics and regulations that could save your life. 2️⃣ Pick ONE species first - I tried everything and sucked at all of it. Focus on deer if you're inland, ducks near water. Master one before moving on. 3️⃣ Gear that actually matters: .270 Winchester for deer (still my go-to), 12-gauge for birds. Skip the fancy stuff initially - a decent scope and solid practice beats expensive gear every time. 4️⃣ Finding spots is everything - OnX changed my game completely. Start with public land, respect private property signs religiously. 5️⃣ YouTube University is real - learned more about field dressing and cooking from MeatEater and similar channels than anywhere else. It’s a learning curve, but incredibly rewarding. Any other solo hunters out there? What was your biggest lesson early on? #hunting #newhunterguide ##huntingtips #firstgenhunter11062Share
Manuel Bright+FollowMy biggest buck came from this scrape tip 🦌Been studying rubs and scrapes for years and they're basically GPS coordinates for where to set up. Here's what I've learned about using them effectively: 1️⃣ Size matters - Larger, higher rubs and big scrapes usually mean mature bucks are using them 2️⃣ Position downwind - Set your stand downwind from active scrape lines for optimal scent management 3️⃣ Trail cam gold - Scrapes get visited year-round but peak activity is fall, mostly at night 4️⃣ Post-rain visits - Bucks often return after rain to "freshen up" scrapes where scent washed away The scrape-to-trail-cam combo has been incredible for taking inventory of what's actually in the area. Multiple deer use the same spots, so you get a full picture of the local population. Anyone else had luck dialing in patterns this way? #hunting #DeerHunting #HuntingTips #TrailCameras582Share
bushjill+FollowMy first-time hunting buddy is pure luckLast year I took a friend out on his very first hunt. First morning, he sets up in a random spot with a folding chair—and drops a solid 8-point with my Mosin. A week later, we stroll into the woods late, and he nails a doe with a $110 single shot. Meanwhile, our other buddy who spent months scouting walked away empty-handed. Sometimes hunting really is just about being in the right place at the right time. Ever had that kind of luck? #hunting #firsthunt #buckfever #deerhunting173Share
Eric Ford+FollowEver hunted coyotes with your dogs? 🐕Been seeing more hunters using dogs for coyote hunting lately. Looks intense but effective. Anyone here done it before? Curious how it compares to calling. #hunting #CoyoteHunting #HuntingDogs #OutdoorLife93Share
paulcarol+Followground hunting beats tree stands sometimesLast season, I switched spots three times before bagging my buck! After years in the woods, I've learned adaptability is key. Got my main ladder stand in the prime spot, but if the wind's wrong or it's dead, I'm switching it up. Love sitting on the ground with natural cover - killed tons of deer this way. Still hunting is probably the hardest skill to master but most rewarding when it works. I'll try it on fresh snow days or when it's too windy for normal deer movement. Weather and wind dictate everything for me. What's your go-to strategy? #hunting #DeerHunting #StillHunting #Outdoors 2612Share
Manuel Bright+FollowYou're visiting your hunting spot too muchGuilty of finding every excuse to visit my hunting property - checking cameras, scouting, "just looking around." Took me years to realize I was pressuring the deer way too much, especially the mature bucks I was actually trying to target. Now I batch all my property work into single trips and stay away unless it's absolutely necessary. Get in, handle trail cams and any land management, then get out. The less human scent and disturbance, the better your chances come hunting season. How often do you visit your spots during the off-season? #hunting #deerhunting #huntingpressure #huntingtips #Outdoors 4114Share
paulcarol+FollowMy old 870 puts meat on the table just fineI’ve noticed a lot of hunters feel pressured to spend thousands on the newest gear or make hunting their entire identity. For me, it’s much simpler. I check the zero on my old 870, head into the woods, and wait for that one deer to take the wrong path. I usually just take one each year—it’s enough for me, and I turn it into a pot of venison chili I’m proud of. Hunting is still something I love, even if I’m not as hardcore as I was when I was younger. It doesn’t have to be about money or clout—it’s about putting good food on the table and enjoying the tradition. Curious—do you keep your hunts simple, or do you like going all-in with new gear and extra tags? #Hunting #SimpleHunting #VenisonChili #HuntingGear 30859Share
tyler79+Followfound my best hunting spots using this method✌️After years of trial and error, I've learned to read the woods like a map. It's all about the sign - fresh deer trails, droppings, and food sources are my gold. White oaks are money trees, especially in mast years. I look for pinch points like creek crossings or benches on steep slopes where deer naturally funnel through. When I find two trails crossing near a good food source? That's my jackpot spot. The magic happens when you layer it all - trail intersection + white oak + easy creek crossing + right wind direction. That's where I set up and consistently see deer. #hunting #DeerScouting #HuntingSpots #Outdoors 183Share
Eric Ford+FollowAnyone actually catch anything with traps?Been reading up on trapping lately and got curious—any older hunters here still setting traps? Would love to hear what you’ve used, what worked, and any tips you’d pass down. #hunting #HuntingTips #WildlifeTrapping2819Share
