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Yearly, tens of thousands of people hunt deer. Some of them go out totally unprepared and pay a high cost. You really need some information before you go, plan well, pack everything well and keep yourself safe and you won't be one of the unlucky ones. Deer hunting is one of the most popular types of hunting there is. Here in the United States, there are two types of deer we hunt. The Whitetail deer lives east of the Mississippi and the Mule Deer lives to the west and south. Every fall, a plethora of hunters ready their guns and supplies and head off to the great outdoors. In fact, many rural schools and employers even allow students and employees to take the first couple of days of deer season off. Every sportsmen out there is searching for the ultimate trophy, a "Big Buck". Chances are, some of these enthusiastic people will actually have the opportunity to bring down a deer. Others will be in the perfect position to take the shot and miss. And still others will see nothing at all... That is why they call it "hunting". There are five basic skills needed for hunting deer. The first is stalking, which consists of following natural signs and the trails of deer. This requires a good amount of skill, the ability to be very quiet and knowledge of deer habits. A variation on the stalking technique is called spot and stalk hunting. However, in this case, the deer has been seen. The hunter uses his skills to stalk it and get close enough to make the kill. Stand hunting can be done from a tree or on the ground. Either technique requires patience. The hunter sets up his tree stand, or finds a place to hide and simply waits for a deer. With some pre-season research, deer runs can be easily found, making his chances better. Another style of deer hunting is called still hunting. The hunter walks silently, stops to listen and waits for the prey. This technique works best when deer haven't been seen, but are known to be in the woods you are in. Groups of hunters can use a technique called line hunting. The idea is that deer are flushed out towards a line of your buddies. This type of cooperative hunting can be quite successful. What weapon you use to hunt deer will depend on where you live. Deer are usually hunted with a gun such as a rifle or shotgun. Under the regulations in some places, pistols and muzzleloader firearms are permitted. Local laws vary, information and special permits are usually posted at sporting goods shops. In addition to firearms, weapons such as a bow and arrows or crossbows are also used for deer hunting. Typically, bow season will start before the regular gun season and continues after it's over. Crossbows may be used in some areas with special permits. Again, local laws will dictate what weapons you may use. With your trip planned, hunting license on your back and your weapon ready. Now it's time to get your supplies and equipment readied. This is much more important than you might think. Keep in mind that it's cold and wet out in the forest. You're going to get hungry and you'll need to rest well. So, don't skimp on the prep work. Remember to pack survival basics like dry matches, medication, bandages and things like that. A small first aid kit could very well save your life. Keep fresh water containers available, it's really important to stay hydrated. And don't forget communication. Cell phones and walkie talkies can come in real handy. Dry clothes and waterproof boots are an absolute must. Low temps and soggy clothes can lead to hypothermia. Layers work best to keep you warm rather than bulky clothing. This also gives you more freedom of movement. Camouflage clothing comes in a wide variety of patterns and styles. They're really good for stalking prey and are made for tough wear. For safety purposes, some states require hunters to wear "hunter orange" clothing. This bright orange color is reflective and signals other hunters you're around. Although the forests are teaming with edible plants and animals, you'll need to pack food. When the weather is cold, snacks like trail mix and other foods high in carbs and proteins will help keep you warm. Pack plenty of pocket size snacks and good hardy food for camp cooking. At camp, it's all about safety and comfort. Take all the necessary precautions to keep wild animals out of your food and shelter. Also make sure you've got plenty of firewood and that your tent is weatherproof. It gets wet and cold during deer season and you want to be warm and dry to avoid trouble. If you're new to deer hunting, don't go out by yourself. Also, it's a great idea to talk to other people with experience. One thing a hunter loves to do is talk about hunting so it shouldn't be hard! You'll get all kinds of advice and tips if you just ask. There's nothing quite as valuable as lessons learned by someone else. Regardless of your experience, don't forget about the basics. Most sportsmen make some small mistake that costs them the big one or thier lives. Careful attention to the little things will keep you safe and give you a better chance of bringing home a real trophy. In the next article of this series, we'll talk about the most important tool hunters carry. Without this useful item, your hunting trip won't be the same, find out why!
Article Source: http://www.globetrekkerarticles.com
For more great info and to find more Deer Hunting Articles, visit: deerhunting.biblioflip.com K.L. "Vin" Hayes leads a fabulous team of freelance writers, researchers and techies. Over the last 10 years, they've worked together to produce high-quality digital reprints of vintage documents as well as original works. Vin specializes in How-To information that includes a vast array of subjects such as hunting & fishing, hobbies & crafts, construction, self-improvement and much more.
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