paulcarol+FollowFiguring out deer feeding times, so I get more big bucksBack 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 #huntingtips94Share
bushjill+Followgrowing up a rifle hunter, but learning to love the shotgunGrowing up in West Texas, rifle hunting was all I knew — long shots, open country, and skittish deer. But my dad’s stories of thick Alabama woods, shotgun hunts, and deer dogs always stuck with me. Years later, public land hunts forced me to trade my rifle for a shotgun… and honestly, I started to love it. It made me rethink everything I knew about deer hunting. Anyone else grow up one way and switch later on? What pushed you to try something different — location, regulation, or just curiosity? #hunting #shotgunhunting #riflehunting #deerhunting358Share
lolson+FollowI always do more work in July than hunting seasonJust got back from checking my spots and can't stress enough how crucial July prep is. Made the mistake of skipping this a few years back and paid for it all season long. Here's what I'm hitting hard right now: 1️⃣ Food plot check - drought hit my clover hard this year, already replanting before it's too late 2️⃣ Water sources - with temps climbing, deer patterns revolve around water. Found three new seeps I never knew existed 3️⃣ Low-impact scouting - deer aren't spooked yet, perfect time to find those bedding-to-feeding routes and hang stands 4️⃣ Early season setups - ag fields are starting to show which trails get heavy use The beauty of July work is deer barely notice you're there. Come September, you'll know exactly where to be while other hunters are still figuring out the property. What's your biggest July scouting priority this year? #hunting #deerhunting #scouting #huntingprep101Share
Manuel Bright+Followfound the secret to tracking mature bucks✌️Been studying sign all season and finally cracked the code on reading rubs and scrapes. Fresh scrapes with torn-up ground? That's your highway map to deer movement. The bigger the rub, the bigger the buck. I always set up downwind from active scrapes since bucks love checking them after rain storms to refresh their scent. Perfect trail cam spots too. What's the biggest rub you've found this season? #hunting #deerhunting #bucksign #huntingtips4014Share
lolson+FollowGround blinds changed my hunting gameLast season I was strictly a treestand guy until a buddy convinced me to try his ground blind setup. First sit, I had a mature buck at 15 yards completely oblivious to my presence. That's when I became a believer. Here's why ground blinds have become my go-to hunting method: 1️⃣ Invisible movement - Deer can't see you fidgeting, drawing your bow, or adjusting position like they can in treestands. 2️⃣ Ultimate portability - Move with the deer patterns. No climbing, no heavy stands to haul. 3️⃣ Weather protection - Rain, snow, wind - you're comfortable and focused on hunting instead of surviving. 4️⃣ Scent containment - Your scent stays trapped inside instead of swirling around a tree. 5️⃣ Room to move - Stretch out, shift positions, stay comfortable during long sits. Set them up during pre-season so deer accept them as part of their environment. What's your experience with ground blinds vs treestands? #hunting #HuntingTips #GroundBlind #DeerHunting848Share
paulcarol+FollowHow I got access to hunt private land! 🦌Just scored permission on my dream property after years of rejections! The secret? It's not about what you ask for – it's HOW you ask. Key moves that worked: 1️⃣Showed up in person (not camo!) - built real rapport first 2️⃣Offered to help with fence repairs and predator control 3️⃣Brought references from other landowners 4️⃣Created a simple hunting agreement to show I'm serious 5️⃣Always shared meat from successful hunts The game-changer? I spent time learning about their land challenges before even asking to hunt. One farmer was dealing with wild hogs destroying crops - offered to help control them and got year-round access! Remember: reputation is everything in small communities. One "yes" often leads to introductions with neighbors. #hunting #privateland #deerhunting #huntingtips #landowner #huntingaccess2436Share
paulcarol+FollowBeating a deer’s nose—does scent control help?Real talk - they're tie breakers at best. I've had success with ozone, but if the wind's wrong, you're getting busted regardless. Especially early season when you're sweating buckets. That said, sometimes buying yourself 3-5 seconds of deer confusion is all you need for the shot. Worth it for that alone. Bottom line: every serious hunter hunts specific stands for specific winds, because wind direction trumps every spray and gadget. You'd need surgeon-level scent control to completely fool a deer's nose. #hunting #scentcontrol #huntingtips #deerhunting2221Share
tyler79+Followscent control products are a total scam!Unpopular opinion: the hunting industry convinced us we need $300 worth of scent eliminators when wind direction and basic hygiene work just fine. Grandpa never used any of this stuff and still outshot us all. Change my mind. #hunting #deerhunting #scentcontrol #huntinggear16210Share
bushjill+FollowScent control products are a waste of moneyWatched those YouTube tests with retired police dogs - even with every spray and ozone machine, they still smelled the hunters every time. Animals don't care about your $50 bottles. Stick to basics: unscented soap, air-dry clothes outside, skip deodorant, and obsess over wind direction. That's it. Saved myself hundreds on gimmicky sprays and focused on what actually matters - playing the wind perfectly. Products don't make you a better hunter, fundamentals do. #hunting #scentcontrol #deerhunting #outdoors127Share
Eric Ford+Followbuilding my first deer blind from scrap woodGot a pile of leftover lumber sitting around and thinking about building my own deer blind this season instead of buying one. Has anyone here DIY'd their own? Looking for tips on dimensions, window placement, or any mistakes to avoid. Worth the effort? #hunting #deerhunting #deerblind 198Share
