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Nov. 13, 2002
Charlie Farmer, Springfield News-Leader
Hunting deer on private land provides quality harvest
One of the first decisions a hunter makes is the choice of hunting areas, with the option of choosing public or private land.
A significant number of hunters opt for state and national forests in the Ozarks. They like the challenge of public hunting, the beauty of large tracts of wild terrain, and the solitude.
Some hunters simply do not know any private landowners, nor do they want to take the time to seek permission. However, it is a well-known fact that some of the best deer hunting in the region occurs on private lands. A mixture of woodlands and crops provide food and sufficient cover for loafing and escape.
Deer are more accessible in those areas. There are more of them and they generally have larger bodies and better developed antlers than their forest cousins. Simply put, the average deer hunter probably sees more bucks and does on a farm or ranch during a day than on a heavily timbered piece of dense public forest.
The majority of hunters probably spend one day scouting before the opener. During that scouting day they can turn up scrapes, rubs, bedding areas, scat and game trails. An investment of three or more days of scouting would be better.
The goal of scouting is not to observe deer clasp but rather collect enough evidence to support the presence of animals using the area. Just as much attention should be paid to wind direction, eliminating or masking human scent, and careful stalking as opening.
While tree stands are used by many deer hunters, there are ground blinds that work as well without climbing up tree. A cushion pad for sitting is placed near a large tree trunk that makes for silent, comfortable concealment. A camouflage mask used by turkey hunters shadows the hunter’s face. I have had bucks and does come within 10 yards of where I sat. With rifle cradled on the torso, it’s easy to mount the rifle and fire.
On the first Saturday of firearms deer season, I get to my stand in the dark and stay there until dusk. Deer and other hunters may be on the move.
There is a lot going on at high noon. Hungry hunters heading back to camp or the truck. This is the time that deer are vulnerable.
A cigarette lighter is a sensitive and accurate indicator of wind currents. So is a small plastic squeeze bottle filled with talcum powder.
Stalking and still hunting demand special considerations when it comes to boots and clothing. A few hunters I know wear moccasins so they can feel twigs before they step down and break the sticks. Others use light canvas sneakers for the same reason. A good compromise are lightweight rubber-bottomed boots with nylon or leather tops. The rubber bottoms have adequate sensitivity and are reasonably quiet. They do not pick up and hold scent like leather.
The outer layer of garments should be supple and quiet. In cool or cold climates, the top choice for pants, shirts, jackets, gloves and caps is wool. The natural fiber is an efficient insulator and resists moisture fairly well. It also resists snags well.
Cotton and pile garments are soft and quiet, but cotton soaks up moisture like a sponge.
Since states require the use of blaze orange outer garments for safety during the gun seasons, cotton vests are superior to noisy vinyl. Some companies offer woolen outer garments in hunter orange.
Some hunters prefer driving deer and the technique can be effective when pushing deer out of hollows, ravines and flats choked with trees and brush.
Under moderate to heavy hunting pressure, bucks will remain in thick corridors of vegetation until something forces them out. A team of drivers (those walking through the thick stuff) and blockers (located at strategic positions along the drive course) can root out deer that would rather hide than run. Ordinarily, it takes a minimum of six hunters to run a successful drive through a heavily vegetated corridor.
More deer are probably spooked by human scent than any other reason. Pay attention to the wind and use a product that eliminates scent or covers it up.
A small day pack holds snacks, water bottle, rope, matches, game saw and other essentials. Always pack good quality rain gear. Anything that can be done to increase staying power in the woods is worth the extra weight and effort.
Charlie Farmer, Springfield News-Leader
Hunting deer on private land provides quality harvest
One of the first decisions a hunter makes is the choice of hunting areas, with the option of choosing public or private land.
A significant number of hunters opt for state and national forests in the Ozarks. They like the challenge of public hunting, the beauty of large tracts of wild terrain, and the solitude.
Some hunters simply do not know any private landowners, nor do they want to take the time to seek permission. However, it is a well-known fact that some of the best deer hunting in the region occurs on private lands. A mixture of woodlands and crops provide food and sufficient cover for loafing and escape.
Deer are more accessible in those areas. There are more of them and they generally have larger bodies and better developed antlers than their forest cousins. Simply put, the average deer hunter probably sees more bucks and does on a farm or ranch during a day than on a heavily timbered piece of dense public forest.
The majority of hunters probably spend one day scouting before the opener. During that scouting day they can turn up scrapes, rubs, bedding areas, scat and game trails. An investment of three or more days of scouting would be better.
The goal of scouting is not to observe deer clasp but rather collect enough evidence to support the presence of animals using the area. Just as much attention should be paid to wind direction, eliminating or masking human scent, and careful stalking as opening.
While tree stands are used by many deer hunters, there are ground blinds that work as well without climbing up tree. A cushion pad for sitting is placed near a large tree trunk that makes for silent, comfortable concealment. A camouflage mask used by turkey hunters shadows the hunter’s face. I have had bucks and does come within 10 yards of where I sat. With rifle cradled on the torso, it’s easy to mount the rifle and fire.
On the first Saturday of firearms deer season, I get to my stand in the dark and stay there until dusk. Deer and other hunters may be on the move.
There is a lot going on at high noon. Hungry hunters heading back to camp or the truck. This is the time that deer are vulnerable.
A cigarette lighter is a sensitive and accurate indicator of wind currents. So is a small plastic squeeze bottle filled with talcum powder.
Stalking and still hunting demand special considerations when it comes to boots and clothing. A few hunters I know wear moccasins so they can feel twigs before they step down and break the sticks. Others use light canvas sneakers for the same reason. A good compromise are lightweight rubber-bottomed boots with nylon or leather tops. The rubber bottoms have adequate sensitivity and are reasonably quiet. They do not pick up and hold scent like leather.
The outer layer of garments should be supple and quiet. In cool or cold climates, the top choice for pants, shirts, jackets, gloves and caps is wool. The natural fiber is an efficient insulator and resists moisture fairly well. It also resists snags well.
Cotton and pile garments are soft and quiet, but cotton soaks up moisture like a sponge.
Since states require the use of blaze orange outer garments for safety during the gun seasons, cotton vests are superior to noisy vinyl. Some companies offer woolen outer garments in hunter orange.
Some hunters prefer driving deer and the technique can be effective when pushing deer out of hollows, ravines and flats choked with trees and brush.
Under moderate to heavy hunting pressure, bucks will remain in thick corridors of vegetation until something forces them out. A team of drivers (those walking through the thick stuff) and blockers (located at strategic positions along the drive course) can root out deer that would rather hide than run. Ordinarily, it takes a minimum of six hunters to run a successful drive through a heavily vegetated corridor.
More deer are probably spooked by human scent than any other reason. Pay attention to the wind and use a product that eliminates scent or covers it up.
A small day pack holds snacks, water bottle, rope, matches, game saw and other essentials. Always pack good quality rain gear. Anything that can be done to increase staying power in the woods is worth the extra weight and effort.
