Tag Page Huntingtips

#Huntingtips
bushjill

Hunting partners can make or break your season

Learned this lesson during my first big timber still-hunt with a buddy. We're creeping through thick oak when a massive buck steps out at 40 yards. Both of us freeze, then start this awkward silent gesturing match - "you take it," "no, you!" By the time we sorted it out, he was gone. Now I establish ground rules before we even leave the truck. Open country spot-and-stalk? Whoever spots it gets first dibs. Dense timber still-hunting? One person leads, takes any shot that presents itself - no time for negotiations when you've got seconds. For smaller properties, we pick zones of fire and stick to them. Simple system: your side, your shot. The key is knowing your hunting partner well enough to move like one unit instead of two people trying to coordinate in real time. Ever had a missed opportunity because you and your partner couldn't decide who shoots? #Hunting #RifleHunting #HuntingTips #HuntingTogether #Outdoors

Hunting partners can make or break your season
bushjill

Why I stopped hunting the "obvious" spots

Last season I was that guy posting "saw nothing all weekend" after hunting the same popular spots as everyone else. Then an old-timer at the gas station gave me advice that completely flipped my success rate... Here's what actually works on public ground: 1️⃣ Go where others won't - I started hiking an extra mile past the "easy" spots. Found deer that had never seen hunting pressure and it showed! 2️⃣ Hunt the weird hours - Tuesday mornings and late evenings became my secret weapon. Big bucks move when weekend warriors are at work. 3️⃣ Stay flexible - When Plan A failed, I had Plans B, C, and D ready. Moved spots three times one morning and finally connected. Also learned to buddy up with the local wildlife biologist - that guy knows EVERYTHING about deer patterns and habitat changes. Best hunting investment I ever made was buying him coffee and picking his brain. Public land isn't impossible, you just gotta think different than private land hunters. #hunting #publiclandhunting #huntingtips #deerhunting

Why I stopped hunting the "obvious" spots
Manuel Bright

Stop scaring turkeys - try this instead 🦃

Been dialing in my turkey calling game over the past few seasons, and here’s what’s made the biggest difference when it comes to bringing toms in close — and getting a shot: 1️⃣ Set up before you call. Always have your back against a good tree before you even yelp once. If a gobbler sounds off nearby, you won’t have time to scramble — he could be in sight within seconds. 2️⃣ Read the hens — then match them. Pay attention to what the real hens are doing. If they’re fired up and loud, I go aggressive with cutting and excited yelps. If they’re soft and chatty, I pull way back and keep things subtle. 3️⃣ Adapt to conditions. Windy morning? I break out the box call to cut through the breeze. If one’s sneaking in close, I switch to a mouth call so I can stay hands-free and ready to shoot. 4️⃣ Make your calls move. Use your hand or body position to “throw” sound — make it feel like the hen is walking around. I even angle my slate or box call off to one side or behind me to keep toms guessing. 5️⃣ Know when to shut up. If a gobbler’s getting close and fired up, I stop calling altogether. Nothing pulls them in like silence — it forces them to come find you. If he drifts off, I give a couple soft clucks to steer him back. These small changes led to my cleanest gobbler takedown yet. What’s your go-to move when a tom hangs up at 80 yards? #hunting #turkeyhunting #turkeycalling #huntingtips

Stop scaring turkeys - try this instead 🦃
paulcarol

Helping my friend shoot their first deer was eye-opening

I’ve been hunting for years, but stepping into the role of mentor completely changed the way I see it. Helping a friend shoot their first deer wasn’t just about passing on skills — it was a chance to slow down, rethink the process, and see the whole experience through fresh eyes. If you're mentoring a new hunter, here are a few things that truly made a difference for us: 1. Understand their "why" Most new hunters — especially adults from non-hunting families — are coming to it for the food. They want to butcher their own deer, wrap their own steaks. So before you offer to drop it at a processor, ask if they want to do it themselves. That part can be more meaningful than the hunt. 2. Talk goals early Are they imagining a quiet solo hunt? A big camp vibe? A crash course on setups? Aligning expectations upfront helps avoid disappointment. 3. Address their fears The top two concerns I’ve heard over and over: - Making a clean, ethical shot - Handling firearms safely Spend serious time at the range, ideally on quiet days. Dry fire, check eye dominance, let them try your gear if theirs doesn’t fit. Confidence starts with practice. 4. Practice in the stand Before the real thing, walk through shot setup in the stand. Let them adjust, aim, dry fire — it matters. They’ll be way less fumbly when a deer actually shows. 5. Don’t rush the shot Keep calm. No whisper-yelling. Let them breathe and feel ready. Confidence is everything. The goal is a good shot, not any shot. 6. Celebrate after Once the deer is down, go big with praise and storytelling. That post-shot energy — the hugs, the camp chatter — is often the part they remember most. Helping someone take their first deer isn’t about guiding every step — it’s about giving them the space and support to make it their own. For me, watching my friend gain confidence, ask thoughtful questions, and ultimately make a clean shot was as satisfying as any hunt I’ve done myself. Have you ever mentored someone in the field? What surprised you the most about the experience? #hunting #DeerHunting #NewHunters #HuntingTips

Helping my friend shoot their first deer was eye-opening
paulcarol

Figuring out deer feeding times, so I get more big bucks

Back when I first started hunting, I’d just pick a stand, sit tight at dawn and dusk, and hope for the best. Sometimes it worked, but most days were dead quiet. A few seasons back, an old-timer told me to stop hunting time and start hunting patterns. That’s when I started paying attention to deer feeding cycles — and it completely changed the game. Here’s what I’ve learned that actually works: 1️⃣ Feeding #1 (sunrise) – Happens close to bedding. Think browse, woody plants, acorns. 2️⃣ Feeding #2 (late morning) – Still nearby but a little less active. 3️⃣ Feeding #3 (about an hour before sunset) – This is prime time. They venture farther, often toward food plots or feeders. Skip worrying about nighttime movement — they’ll go wherever. But if you can understand and even shape those daytime feedings, you’ll start to predict movement and place stands way more effectively. Anyone else track feeding patterns? Curious if your experiences match up — especially in different regions. #hunting #deerhunting #huntingstrategy #huntingtips

Figuring out deer feeding times, so I get more big bucks
Tag: Huntingtips | zests.ai