First season mistakes, I should start a book...

[Guest clutepc]

I'm kicking myself today..

Had a great deer in front of me that I didn't see until I reached into my pack to get my calls, I had just got setup in my stand and well there it goes...not sure if it was a buck or doe because it right at day break but it was the biggest deer I've seen in the area I hunt.

Then later in the morning, the wind gave me trouble as much as I try and watch it and I was busted my two more smaller does who came up downwind of me..

This is my first season hunting deer and I'm learning a great deal but it seems to never fail that my inexperience gets me,

I think I'm just getting schooled in hunting but some days...lol

I hunt 2-3 days a week so I had hoped to had a shot at something besides a doe with a fawn..

Any suggestions for a new hunter in the early season.. I'm always open to them..

Some of this is me venting I guess, but I'm open to suggestions.

I don't know how many here are having their first deer season but I think most of you have been hunting for a few years or more..

[Rightwinger]

Your doing it right, just keep doing it.

You might want to try a little more descenting prep though. I have had deer walk all around me already this year and all I do is make sure my outerwear is washed in the non scent detergent and I shower with Hunters Specialty's scent removing soap/shampoo. Haven't even used the cedar smoke trick yet.

Watched a little buck two weeks ago eat a pound of acorns for about 30 minutes and he circled me! No issues.

[DaveS]

Sometimes having a successful hunt doesn't mean harvesting game. Sometimes the experience alone is good enough for me. It sounds like you're doing the right things though.

[Guest Jcochran88]

Sometimes having a successful hunt doesn't mean harvesting game. Sometimes the experience alone is good enough for me. It sounds like you're doing the right things though.

+a bunch!!

[ShaunM]

Sometimes having a successful hunt doesn't mean harvesting game. Sometimes the experience alone is good enough for me. It sounds like you're doing the right things though.

Now your talking. The only way to get better is to make mistakes but in the mean time go out and enjoy nature.

[memphismason]

Don't think of them as "mistakes" but more like "a learning experience". You have to start somewhere, and what you are doing sounds like a perfect way to start.

[my82cam]

boy i wish i was able to hunt 2-3 days a week! i'm lucky for 2-3 days a month! i wash all my clothes, yep, all of them in non sent soap and than i put my outerwear on when i get to where i hunt. there is a gas station about 2 miles down the road, i hop out or do it in the truck, normally there isnt anybody there at 4-5AM. the higher you are in the tree the better. are you only hunting mornings or are you hunting afternoons as well?

[Guest clutepc]

Well I guess I need to stop complaining now...

Thanks for all the advice, I went in today and didn't call at all which I was probably doing too much being so close to the bedding area.

Never seen a buck in this area just the rubs here and there.

Then at 8:00 am this 5 point walked out at 10 yards right next to me.. never heard him.

Needless to say no hard learning lessons this time.. everything worked.. good shot in the front shoulder, he went 30 to 40 yards and went down.

Couldn't believe it.. still can't...

[Guest clutepc]

boy i wish i was able to hunt 2-3 days a week! i'm lucky for 2-3 days a month! i wash all my clothes, yep, all of them in non sent soap and than i put my outerwear on when i get to where i hunt. there is a gas station about 2 miles down the road, i hop out or do it in the truck, normally there isnt anybody there at 4-5AM. the higher you are in the tree the better. are you only hunting mornings or are you hunting afternoons as well?

All I can say is I have a real real understanding wife..lol

We also have our own business which helps a little with during the week,

Yes, I need to hunt afternoons, normally mornings only.

Worried about my tracking skills honestly.

Besides not calling this morning, I did go higher in the tree than I normally do.

Guess a few things I need to remember, I was over calling for turkey to, I need to remember that.

[DaveS]

AWESOME! Nice buck!

[my82cam]

that one deer makes it all worth it! it is a great feeling when you find them on the ground.....i thought i wasnt going to take my 8 pointer home...it took a long time to find him! good job!

[gregintenn]

Sounds like you are having fun, so I'd say you're doing everything right. Hope you continue to enjoy it. I don't bowhunt any more, but I always look forward to taking my son on the juvenile hunt, followed closely by muzzleloader season. You haven't lived until you see how excited a little boy gets when a buck walks under his stand!

[Guest clutepc]

Sounds like you are having fun, so I'd say you're doing everything right. Hope you continue to enjoy it. I don't bowhunt any more, but I always look forward to taking my son on the juvenile hunt, followed closely by muzzleloader season. You haven't lived until you see how excited a little boy gets when a buck walks under his stand!

I am having a blast hunting., I was being a little hard on myself I think expecting to get one in the first week, if it was easy it wouldn't be hunting.

I do hope one day to take a nephew out but I will say I felt like a kid when I saw that buck walk out..

They say nothing can compare to hunting and harvesting a animal.

I've jumped out of airplane a few times and a few other things and they are right, there isn't a feeling to describe the excitement and rush from it all.

Ready to get back out again.

[gregintenn]

[quoteI do hope one day to take a nephew out but I will say I felt like a kid when I saw that buck walk out..

]

If you're anything like me, watching him get his first deer will top yours.

[Patrick Henry]

Congrats!!!! You must have tried really really hard to not have a big huge smile across your face for that picture! Heck, I have a smile on my face for you.

[Patrick Henry]

Now, if you really want the full experience you should butcher the deer and clean the skull your self. An easy way to clean the skull is to soak it in water in a trash can or 5 gal bucket. Position it so the water line is just below the antlers. I suspend a 2x4 across two trees and hang the bucket high enough so dogs cannot reach it. The water will help to keep the smell down until you are within a few feet.

[Guest clutepc]

Now, if you really want the full experience you should butcher the deer and clean the skull your self. An easy way to clean the skull is to soak it in water in a trash can or 5 gal bucket. Position it so the water line is just below the antlers. I suspend a 2x4 across two trees and hang the bucket high enough so dogs cannot reach it. The water will help to keep the smell down until you are within a few feet.

Oh yea I'm still smiling and still in a little shock, I didn't expect to get a chance at a buck this year.

I butchered it myself, I figured if I kill then I do the work to get it in the freezer. Glad I did for the experience.

I bought a meat grinder and all...lol

I should have tried that with the skull, my concern was the smell because of where I live.

I'm heading out again this weekend, maybe my first season luck will still be around..

[gregintenn]

"I should have tried that with the skull, my concern was the smell because of where I live."

After removing the hide from the skull, I put it in a bowl of salt. The salt dries it out with little to no odor. It does take a while, so be patient.

[Guest tnpanscraper]

Congrats!!!! You must have tried really really hard to not have a big huge smile across your face for that picture! Heck, I have a smile on my face for you.

I too....Have a wide grin on your behalf...

Nice deer...

[Guest clutepc]

Funny how your thoughts change when we take a deer the first time..

Yesterday morning when I was out and had a button buck and a small 4 pointer come within range, I let him walk..lol

He was a lot smaller than the 5 point I shot and so I figured hey maybe he'll make it another year.. ?

I'm sure most people hunting on public land would have taken him but I figure I was blessed with the one from last week so they might be a first for someone else or get another year on him.

I don't know what to really expect out of Public land but I figure I'll keep looking until I find a doe without a fawn, or a little larger buck.

[Guest 1817ak47]

what type of rifle did you use??