Deer Hunting Tricks for Bow Hunters

Here are some easy to use deer hunting tricks for bow hunters to have a more productive hunting experience.

Dealing with Scent

Bow hunters need to work in close to the deer due to the limited reach of archery equipment. Reducing scent is an important step to successful bow hunting but there are other ways to deal with human scent. Commercial scent eliminators and cover scents are useful, but hunters can also use natural materials to create cover scent. Storing hunting clothes along with pine branches the night before the hunt in a clean, scent free plastic bag can impart a pine scent to hunting clothing. Adding human scent to a stand location at regular intervals leading up to hunting season can also be used to make deer accustomed to smelling human scents in the area.

Funneling Deer

Bow hunters can work to funnel deer past their stand location in two ways: making it easier for the deer to pass by and making it more difficult for the deer to go other ways. With landowner permission of course, hunters can move brush to block trails that are difficult to place stands near and encourage deer toward trails that are more stand friendly. Another option to keep deer from taking certain trails is to introduce human or other predator scent to the trail. Gaps can also be made in fences or a gate can be left open to encourage deer to cross in a specific area.

Creating a Diversion

One problem that bow hunters often encounter is being spotted by deer while standing up in a tree stand or drawing the bow. A simple way to distract deer is to run a thin line (fishing line works well) to a spot opposite where deer are expected. Tie the line to a dead limb propped up against a tree and pull the limb over to get the deer to look the other way. This basic premise can be used in a number of ways just don't use something that will scare the deer away.

Yardage Markers

When a trophy buck suddenly comes into view and stops presenting a shot, a hunter's excitement might well make estimating range difficult. By placing small flags at a known distance a hunter can quickly determine the range and make the shot before the deer disappears.