Tag Page huntingtips

#huntingtips
Manuel Bright

Why Red Oaks Beat White Oaks in My Hunts? 🤔

When I first started squirrel hunting, I quickly learned that the “one-size-fits-all” advice online doesn’t always hold up. In my area, squirrels actually prefer red oaks over white oaks—probably because the wet winters break down the tannins faster. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few strategies that work for me: 🌳 Walk slowly and silently—silence matters more than depth in the woods ⏳ Move spots if you don’t see action within 20 minutes 🍂 Look for signs like cut nuts, nests, or well-used perches For me, diverse forage areas (red oaks, hickories, walnuts, pines) in wet bottomland have always been the most productive. Every season feels like solving a new puzzle, and that’s what keeps it interesting. What’s been your most surprising squirrel-hunting lesson? #Hunting #SquirrelHunting #PublicLandHunting #HuntingTips

Why Red Oaks Beat White Oaks in My Hunts? 🤔
jortiz

Drew my first Superstition backpack hunt tag

Finally got drawn for November in the Supes after years of applying. Love backpacking back there but hunting it's a whole different game. Planning to hike in from the north since that southern climb with hunting gear would destroy me. Torn between camping near the ranch for reliable water or pushing north for better glassing country. My regular backpacking setup runs 17 pounds, but adding optics and rifle pushes it over 30. Want to pack minimal water but not sure about sources away from the ranch. The glassing opportunities look incredible but water logistics have me second-guessing everything. Anyone hunted that unit and found reliable water sources for backcountry camps? #Hunting #SuperstitionWilderness #BackpackHunting #ArizonaHunting #HuntingTips

Drew my first Superstition backpack hunt tag
lolson

Ground Blinds are the Most Overlooked Tool I Own

Used to be all about tree saddles until I tried taking my buddy hunting. Two guys fumbling around with saddles in trees? Total nightmare - loud, unsafe, and we bailed early. That evening I grabbed my ground blind instead. Set up in minutes, hunted comfortably until dark, and my buddy got hooked on hunting. Now I'm back to using ground blinds regularly: 1️⃣ Perfect for hunting with others - especially beginners 2️⃣ Complete concealment - deer think it's just another bush 3️⃣ Super mobile - wind shifts? Move in minutes 4️⃣ Weather protection - beats freezing your butt off in a tree Tree stands have their place, but ground blinds solve a lot of problems I didn't realize I had. Anyone else rediscover ground blinds after years of elevated hunting? #hunting #HuntingTips #GroundBlind #DeerHunting

Ground Blinds are the Most Overlooked Tool I Own
Eric Ford

Still trying to figure out how hunting points work

Been trying to wrap my head around hunting point systems for months and finally starting to get it. Thought I'd share what I learned for other confused newbies: 💰 Bonus Points = Lottery Tickets More points = more entries. Even with 0 points you still have a chance (tiny, but still). 💡 Preference Points = Line System Highest points get tags first, then down the ladder until tags run out. Some states do BOTH depending on species. Others square your points (5 points = 25 entries!). Some reserve tags for zero-point hunters. The Kicker: Idaho just does pure lottery - everyone gets equal odds, no points needed. My advice? Every state is completely different. Pick your dream hunt location first, then master their specific system. Don't try to learn them all like I did - recipe for madness! #hunting #HuntingTips #HuntingPoints #PointSystems #Outdoors

Still trying to figure out how hunting points workStill trying to figure out how hunting points work
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