So you want to start hunting?

[ManCalledNoon]

Wow this was loaded with great info. As someone that's going to start out this year, this is a great read.

 

I've got a few questions that maybe someone can help me out with. If I get anything good enough (or anything at all haha) and want to get it mounted, how do I go about it? Do I need to do anything special, besides just field dressing it? Do I just bring it to a processor and tell him I need the head back, so I can bring it to a taxidermist?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

[DaveS]

Being a retired Taxidermist I feel the need to answer your question. Shop for a Taxidermist now before one is needed. Make an appointment (don't just pop in on him) to visit his shop and look at his work. Get a price list and other info such as "turn-a-round" time, deposits, business hours ect ect.

 

Just field dress your deer (normal field dressing, do not cut up into the brisket area) and take it to your processor. Tell him you want it caped for mounting and he'll know what to do. If he doesn't, go find another processor.

 

When you pick the head up from the processor place it into a box or leave it open, do not put it in a plastic trash bag. Moisture + lack of air + heat = equals a bad or ruined head before it's mounted. Take it straight to the Taxidermist. DO NOT drive around for days with the head in the back of your truck showing it off to your buddies. They'll be much more impressed with the mount than a decaying deer head!

 

I hope this helps, and hopefully I answered more questions than I raised. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

DaveS

[ManCalledNoon]

Thanks for the response DaveS. That answered what I needed to know perfectly. Thanks a lot!

[DaveS]

Thanks for the response DaveS. That answered what I needed to know perfectly. Thanks a lot!

You're welcome.

 

DaveS

[Slappy]

Thanks for chiming in Dave. You are certainly the one most qualified to answer that! Haha

[DaveS]

Thanks for chiming in Dave. You are certainly the one most qualified to answer that! Haha

Thank You Sir.

 

DaveS

[safetyfast]

As a brand new hunter, thanks!


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[JWC]

This is a great thread! My brother has been wanting to go with me. First time he's shown interest. I'll share it with him. I could tell him all this stuff but it's a good read.


You misrepresented dog hunting though.

[TNoutdoors]

Hey Dane, you might find one at Academy or even Goodwill.   Personally I'd just hop on ebay so you know its comin your way soon.

[TNoutdoors]

Nice thing about hunting small game is you don't have to worry about the orange regulation.  I wear it anyways, but ya don't have to worry if you have a little less than 500 cubic inches on.

[Guest Lowbuster]

Great thread. I learned a few things.

[sgtyork]

Great read, thanks!  I've have not hunted since the 70's but just bought a .270 and want to pick it back up. Thanks for taking the time to write that post. Very informative!

Edited September 6, 2014 by sgtyork

[03CR]

Is wearing orange required on private land?

[Slappy]

Is wearing orange required on private land?

 

Yes, absolutely but only for gun season (maybe muzzleloader as well?) but not bow season or turkey etc...

[suspiciousmind]

I really appreciate the humanity you put into your post. I know too many "hunters" that love "goin' killlin" but lack the respect and understanding that a life is being taken to put food on the table. That is something I was taught by my Father and is something I will never forget. It's an important lesson in life and death, especially for a child.

[Omega]

Is wearing orange required on private land?

 

 

Yes, absolutely but only for gun season (maybe muzzleloader as well?) but not bow season or turkey etc...

The caveat to that is if you own the property, then you do not need to wear any orange.  On mine I don't wear any unless I am walking around or retrieving a deer, then only a hat/cap.  Of course that is because I just walk a short ways to my stand, and the stand is hard to miss.  If I had a longer way to my stand I would wear some just in case.

[Chris]

I still wear orange on my property. Way too many hunters in the surrounding woods.

[Slappy]

Well I stand corrected:

http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-70/chapter-4/part-1/70-4-124

I guess I've just never NOT considered wearing orange. Never can predict poachers. I guess this doesn't apply to family of the property owner does it?

[Omega]

I still wear orange on my property. Way too many hunters in the surrounding woods.

Yea, I think you need to take your situation into consideration. I hunt in the middle of a TVA right of way and can see and be seen clearly from any direction a hunter may be hunting outside or inside my property.  When I am in the treeline I put on my orange cap, it will be the first thing anyone looking will see.  Though you never know, it would make no difference IMO if I was wearing it or not, if I get hit it would most likely be from someone shooting at game silhouetted on a hill with me somewhere behind it.

 

Well I stand corrected:

http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-70/chapter-4/part-1/70-4-124

I guess I've just never NOT considered wearing orange. Never can predict poachers. I guess this doesn't apply to family of the property owner does it?

 I think if your name is on the deed you are exempt, I have seen some properties have multiple names on it.  But if I had anyone hunting around me, I would don my hat at the very least family or not; its situational.

[Guest]

Thanks for posting all this information! As a new hunter, I'm trying to learn everything I can.

I still have quite a few questions, such as how to set up a stand on a WMA when you can only get in or out an hour before or after sun rise/set... various other procedural affairs. Is there a good site to read up on a lot of that?

I'm in the Mid TN area but have heard a lot of good things about Catoosa WMA so was considering trying it out on opening day or that week.

Thanks

[Omega]

Thanks for posting all this information! As a new hunter, I'm trying to learn everything I can.

I still have quite a few questions, such as how to set up a stand on a WMA when you can only get in or out an hour before or after sun rise/set... various other procedural affairs. Is there a good site to read up on a lot of that?

I'm in the Mid TN area but have heard a lot of good things about Catoosa WMA so was considering trying it out on opening day or that week.

Thanks

Get a climbing stand or use removable tree steps (w/straps) with a lock-on deer stand.  You can be up a tree in very little time with minimal noise, and since you can't shoot until 30 minutes before sunrise the deer will have time to settle down.  Many times I would just find a nice rise on a hill overlooking an opening and sit on the ground waiting for daylight to find a decent place to setup my stand, I have taken many a deer from the ground.  Use a terrain contour map to get an idea of the lay of the land, or better yet spend some time scouting your potential hunting area and mark a trail in and out of there to make it easier to find it in the dark. 

 

There are many articles that cover many aspects available on the internet, use Google to search for specific questions you may have or ask here to get a local perspective.

[Guest]

Get a climbing stand or use removable tree steps (w/straps) with a lock-on deer stand. You can be up a tree in very little time with minimal noise, and since you can't shoot until 30 minutes before sunrise the deer will have time to settle down. Many times I would just find a nice rise on a hill overlooking an opening and sit on the ground waiting for daylight to find a decent place to setup my stand, I have taken many a deer from the ground. Use a terrain contour map to get an idea of the lay of the land, or better yet spend some time scouting your potential hunting area and mark a trail in and out of there to make it easier to find it in the dark.

There are many articles that cover many aspects available on the internet, use Google to search for specific questions you may have or ask here to get a local perspective.

Thanks, I'll do some more research on the WMA this week. I'm also trying to figure out how to get a deer out (If I manage to harvest one) and I'm a few miles from the road. Just drag it all they way?

Thanks for the tips on the ground. I may just do that this time since it's my first time and this is about learning the fundamentals, etc.

As far as trying to keep separated from other hunters, do you just keep an eye out for anyone else and bed down in if you find a spot you like with no one else in sight? Edited November 17, 2015 by Guest

[Slappy]

BlessTheUSA,

  I can't offer much advice on the WMA hunting, but want to say good luck to you this year and to not at any point become discouraged.  I cannot tell you how many times that everything had gone wrong with a hunt that in the end turned out very successful, and I also cannot tell you how many times I did everything right and never saw a thing!  Thats hunting for you! 

 

Don't feel like you have to be up in a tree in order to kill deer.  I'd say without hesitation of all the deer killed in the history of Planet Earth, most have been killed from ground level!  I'd have no issue finding a nice spot in the woods or overlooking a field to hunt.  Make sure you get a good scent neutralizing spray.  Keep the questions coming! 

[Omega]

I am not sure on WMAs, but many only allow vehicles on named/numbered roads.  I have used many methods to get deer out of the woods from ATVs, skedcos, and drag harnesses, to just plain grabbing them by the antlers/ears and pulling.  The drag harnesses are cheap: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hunter-s-Specialties-Deluxe-Deer-Drag/15111192, and works remarkably well.  Be sure to drag it out before you field dress, much cleaner.  The drag sled, like my skedco, is easier but a bit more expensive: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Terrain-65-in-Deer-Drag-Sled-in-Olive-90057/204693847?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D28I-InsideGardenOther%7c&gclid=CjwKEAiAmqayBRDLgsfGiMmkxT0SJADHFUhPRCAFPCV2wjZB90fo0T2iEkG9KjkQ7EJOzI8F-KMQSxoCNMfw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds, with this one just be sure to strap the deer in well, it has a tendency to slide out.  And of course if they allow ATVs just hook the tow rope to that and slowly drag it to a vehicle accessible road.  

 

As far as other hunters, the courteous thing to do is if you see orange in your path, slowly go another direction.  If there are other vehicles at a trailhead, I keep going unless it's the only way in.  And a good hint I found is to stay put well past lunchtime, other hunters have a tendency to come out of their stands and move the deer, many times in your direction.

[Guest]

What hearing protection does everyone use?

I may try to find some of the reversible noise-attenuated earplugs like they issue to soldiers, and which let quiet noises pass through but muffle loud noises. I just learned about these today. I currently have standard 33db foam plugs and some full ear muffs.

FWIW I'll be shooting a .308.

Thanks! Edited November 20, 2015 by Guest