First Deer Season

[New Hunter]

Hey guys, pretty new to the forums here. I did some waterfowl hunting with my dad when I was younger but this is going to be my first deer season. I picked up a PSE Stinger compound bow not quite two months ago and I've been shooting it like crazy, love it. As for hunting with it, I am going to try and take a crack at it this season. I'll be out there on the WMA's. I haven't had time to do any scouting, I'm still in college so work/class keeps me busy, so thought I might try some ground stalking instead of just setting up a stand in a random spot. Any tips or tricks for first time deer hunter on the WMAs? Safety concerns, ect? As for ground stalking, I want to be careful not to walk through and mess up someone elses hunt. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[DaveS]

Anytime you "stalk hunt" publice land, there is a chance that you will mess up someone's hunt. Well, for that matter, you can ruin someone's hunt climbing in a stand. It happens. My advice, don't park near other hunter's vehicles if possible. That's a good sign that someone is most likely hunting within 100 yards of said vehicle.

Just get out there and hunt! Meet someone out there and enjoy! Here's what works for me at times.... come out to your vehicle for lunch, fire up a camp stove, throw something on for lunch and enjoy life! The first hunter that walks by...say HI!!! He (she if it's your lucky day) will most likely ask what's cooking. Invite them for lunch! They may take you up on the offer and tell you where they've seen deer....you may have just made a friend for life!

As with any post I put on here to new hunters is....Permits.

Hunter Safety Course (sounds like you already have that)

Tennessee Fishing/Hunting Lic.

Archery Tag

WMA type 94 Non-Quota Big game tag

Enjoy your self, be safe, and we all expect pictures!!! Just the way it is here!

Dave

(931)802-2138

Edited July 21, 2012 by wd-40

[New Hunter]

Around hunting season last year I would drive out to Smyrna to meet a buddy to run. I'd take Hobson Pike to Couchville then turn off Weakley Lane. I would always see people parked on the side of the road on Weakley Lane and based on the decals on their trucks I am pretty sure they were hunting. That is good advice on the lunch deal, WD.

As for permits, I do already have hunters safety as well as the general hunt/fish combo and as you said it looks like I will also need the 010 Archery license and 094 WMA non-quota big game. I must be overlooking the part on the TWRA site about big game tag pricing/purchasing. I also have a rifle and shotgun and while I did not plan to hunt with those this year, you never know where I might get invited to so I may just purchase the Annual Sportsman for $136 dollars to just cover everything. I'll have to do the math and see what it comes out to since I have a general hunt/fish already and I'd also like to shoot squirrels so I'd need 093 WMA small game as well. Thanks for the info WD.

John

[DaveS]

The sportsman license is a good deal, and it does cover everything except your duck stamp I believe. If your willing to "write off" the money already spent, then that's cool. I would keep my current license, buy what I needed, and look at the "sportsman license" next year. It sounds like you are on the right track!

Happy Hunting!

Dave

[whiskey]

Scouting is the probably the single most important ingredient to a successful hunt. Learning to identify deer trails and feeding and bedding areas will get you in the right spot. Know which way the wind will be blowing and set up so your scent isn't blowing towards the deer. Sounds simple right?

[DaveS]

Scouting is the probably the single most important ingredient to a successful hunt. Learning to identify deer trails and feeding and bedding areas will get you in the right spot. Know which way the wind will be blowing and set up so your scent isn't blowing towards the deer. Sounds simple right?

Right along with 100 others that found the same thing!!

[New Hunter]

Scouting is the probably the single most important ingredient to a successful hunt. Learning to identify deer trails and feeding and bedding areas will get you in the right spot. Know which way the wind will be blowing and set up so your scent isn't blowing towards the deer. Sounds simple right?

Haha, yes simple on paper. I graduate from college at the end of this year so come next season I will have time to do scouting, etc. This year I believe I will be just stalking through the woods and see what I see. Find a spot where I dont see any other vehicles parked.

[DaveS]

Haha, yes simple on paper. I graduate from college at the end of this year so come next season I will have time to do scouting, etc. This year I believe I will be just stalking through the woods and see what I see. Find a spot where I dont see any other vehicles parked.

I believe you'll do just fine. Scouting is important, but if you don't have time...get in the woods!!!

[whiskey]

Most of us scout while we hunt. When stalking, look for a great place to stop and spend the remainder of the day. I hunt in Missouri some years and I never take a tree stand. I walk until I find a spot I like, spend an hour or two or three there and then move on looking for something better. If you are college age, hopefully you are young enough to still be in decent physical condition and are able to walk further than most are willing to.

[New Hunter]

Most of us scout while we hunt. When stalking, look for a great place to stop and spend the remainder of the day. I hunt in Missouri some years and I never take a tree stand. I walk until I find a spot I like, spend an hour or two or three there and then move on looking for something better. If you are college age, hopefully you are young enough to still be in decent physical condition and are able to walk further than most are willing to.

Yeah, I run cross country and half marathon distances regularly so walking distances, even while carrying gear is not an issue. I am definitely looking forward to spending some time in the woods!

[Wingshooter]

There are different ways to scout. Some are more efficeint than others. Getting out and walking is fun, but it is time consuming. I always pre-scout an area by using Google Earth. Most of the time I identify "probable areas" (saddles, water holes, funnels, etc) based on the map and usually find deer sign when I actually go to that area. Even if you don't have time to scout on foot, spend a few minutes looking at a topo or Google Earth before you go hunt, and you will be in better shape than just picking a random spot. Look for any spot that funnels deer into a smaller area (wide creek next to a steep hill, narrow tree lines that intersect, etc.) Good luck!