Hi I'm new to this whole sport so I'm really anxious to get my first deer this year. I've been wanting to for a long time and now I've finally got all my gear (an m14 which I hope should do the trick) and I hope it's not to late to try and learn. Anyway I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what I should be brushing up on and what things I should be practicing. I'll be hunting around Strasbourg, SK if that helps any (it's about 45 mins outside of Regina) so mostly open fields with the odd stand of trees. The last time I went hunting with friends I was mostly used for pushing bush and we seemed to just drive and chase which didn't seem very sporting. Anyway looking for anyone who can hopefully help me out!
Help me hunt deer
- Thread starter nicski
- Start date
Do your homework!!!
Its all about knowing exactly where the deer are going to be every day...Get out there months in advance to glass the fields. Be there all day for as many days as you can. By the time hunting season rolls around, you will know where that big buck eats, beds, and ####s.
Its all about knowing exactly where the deer are going to be every day...Get out there months in advance to glass the fields. Be there all day for as many days as you can. By the time hunting season rolls around, you will know where that big buck eats, beds, and ####s.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Find a good 150 gr game bullet that will feed reliably in your M-14 and shoot it enough to know where your cold bore shot will hit from 10 yards out to the maximum range you intend to shoot from. When you can't keep your bullet within 4" of your intended point of impact, you're too far away.
If you don't have any, invest in a quality pair of binoculars, 6X is better than nothing, but a touch on the low side, 7-8X is good, 10X is tough to hold without shaking. Finding a knoll with a commanding view of the surrounding area is ideal, but don't silhouette yourself against the sky. The more time you spend scouting prior to the season opening, the better your chances will be. Get to know the land owners in the area, and get permission to hunt on their land well before the season opens. Maybe you can help them out by shooting the occasion coyote, which will boost your confidence as well.
If you intend to still hunt, pay attention to the wind, and try to avoid moving towards the sun on a clear day as this will negatively impact your vision. Move in short walks with long pauses the way an animal moves. If you intend to hunt from a stand, get into the stand or blind well before light. Animals need water, so learn where the water courses, slews, and ponds are. Avoid using perfumed soap or aftershave. Pay close attention to the edges of wind-breaks and fence lines. Keep an eye on drainages which allow animals to move without being seen.
In the meantime read everything you can find on deer hunting, particularly as it pertains to prairie hunting. And have fun!
If you don't have any, invest in a quality pair of binoculars, 6X is better than nothing, but a touch on the low side, 7-8X is good, 10X is tough to hold without shaking. Finding a knoll with a commanding view of the surrounding area is ideal, but don't silhouette yourself against the sky. The more time you spend scouting prior to the season opening, the better your chances will be. Get to know the land owners in the area, and get permission to hunt on their land well before the season opens. Maybe you can help them out by shooting the occasion coyote, which will boost your confidence as well.
If you intend to still hunt, pay attention to the wind, and try to avoid moving towards the sun on a clear day as this will negatively impact your vision. Move in short walks with long pauses the way an animal moves. If you intend to hunt from a stand, get into the stand or blind well before light. Animals need water, so learn where the water courses, slews, and ponds are. Avoid using perfumed soap or aftershave. Pay close attention to the edges of wind-breaks and fence lines. Keep an eye on drainages which allow animals to move without being seen.
In the meantime read everything you can find on deer hunting, particularly as it pertains to prairie hunting. And have fun!
First off do you live in Alberta or Saskatchewan? You had better figure out if you are a Sask. Resident or not for buying a licence.
There are lots of books and videos about deer hunting methods. But going out with an experienced hunter who is willing and able to teach is a better option. Do you have any relatives or workmates who hunt and could go out with you?
x2
second find where the deer are on that property.
Pushing bush might not feel right to you, but if you can't sit for days without seeing something, this might be a good way to get your first, and you will have help for the dirty work.
Scouting helps as mentioned above as does getting to know the landowners. I like to still hunt as sitting for long periods drives me nuts, but knowing where the deer are at a particular time of day is key. Last year my buddy and I pattered 2 bucks and they performed on cue showing up when and where we expected. Using the "new guy" to push bush isn't the best mentoring technique, especially if no one is explaining why they are hunting a particular area.
If you haven't yet, get your entries into the Big Game Draw by the end of this month. You need your Sask Hunter Safety certificate and proof of residency (Sask Health Services registration number, ) and it has to be done online. This gets you seven chances to be drawn for Mule Deer, and seven more chances to be drawn for antlerless Mule Deer. If you can get in on this, it greatly increases your hunting opportunities. If you can't, don't despair, because as a Sask resident you can still just purchase a whitetail license, but they are generally harder to sneak up on and you only have that one chance. Mule deer are always wandering into my kill zones when I am hunting with only a whitetail license.
You are welcome to come out with me, though being Regina based means it would be better to find someone from there. I can put you up though, if it comes to that.
As a solo hunter ( I started late in life with no friends or family to show me around) I found the best method was to find accessible areas (PFRA pastures, Crown land, private land with permission), scout for deer presence and likely feeding and bedding areas, work out their typical transit areas, and on the day, choose an ambush position according to wind conditions and recent sign, and settle in. Shoot the first legal deer that presents a reasonable opportunity, your first one is a thrill and memorable enough for a lifetime no matter if it is a yearling. (There will be future seasons to get picky about trophies, and if you shoot the buck of a lifetime in your first season, you will have less to look forward to the rest of your hunting life.)
You are welcome to come out with me, though being Regina based means it would be better to find someone from there. I can put you up though, if it comes to that.
As a solo hunter ( I started late in life with no friends or family to show me around) I found the best method was to find accessible areas (PFRA pastures, Crown land, private land with permission), scout for deer presence and likely feeding and bedding areas, work out their typical transit areas, and on the day, choose an ambush position according to wind conditions and recent sign, and settle in. Shoot the first legal deer that presents a reasonable opportunity, your first one is a thrill and memorable enough for a lifetime no matter if it is a yearling. (There will be future seasons to get picky about trophies, and if you shoot the buck of a lifetime in your first season, you will have less to look forward to the rest of your hunting life.)
Welcome to the hunting side..
I would say, practice youre freehand rifle (standing unsupported) shooting as most shots on game taken will be from you alone, with no support.
That being said... learn youre limitations and learn to call youre shots.
You will learn that pushing bush is by far the greatest sporting way to see deer and beautiful country, instead of being bored out of youre mind in a tree stand or ground blind. Best of luck nicski.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Make sure you review how to gut the deer after its dead. Then make sure you have a plan for what to do with it (arrange a place to hang it, have a butcher lined up etc).
Wow thanks for all the replies! So I guess I should have been more specific, I am from Sask and have a house there so I should be able to get a white tail permit no problem. I bought a crate of cheapy ammo from Canada Ammo (free plug for them I guess) just so I can get used to shooting this gun. I guess it's probably not the greatest because they are military rounds and I can't use them for hunting but I think any excuse to go shoot is a good one. Might have to buy a couple cases of beer and go do some asking for permission and inquiring about where the deer are at. Hahah I'm beginning to like this more and more! Any tips for shooting offhand or ways to improve my accuracy? I know I'll be shaking like an epileptic at a strobe light convention when I get my first deer in my sights so probably best to have as much come from muscle memory as I can. I've got a couple friends that have volunteered to take me out so wish me luck! I'm getting dam excited!
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
You just have to take it as it comes. Watch some youtube videos on field dressing and get used to your rifle. Try different brands of ammo to see which works best, and snag 3-4 boxes with the same lot # if possible. Practice shooting offhand/ off fence posts/ sitting and kneeling.
Figure out what distance you can shoot well too, and keep within that range. Get a butt-out tool.
When I first started hunting, I'd get quite excited seeing a deer, but you'll get used to it...somewhat. It's almost easier when you don't have time to think about it, where you have such a short time frame to shoot that you take a shot before you can get wound up.
Figure out what distance you can shoot well too, and keep within that range. Get a butt-out tool.
When I first started hunting, I'd get quite excited seeing a deer, but you'll get used to it...somewhat.
It's almost easier when you don't have time to think about it, where you have such a short time frame to shoot that you take a shot before you can get wound up.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Practice prone, kneeling, or sitting positions. I personally use a sitting position if possible in the field for shooting. It will improve your accuracy substantially. Get a knife with a blade in the 3-4" range. Anything longer isnt necessary and becomes a hindrance. Keep it razor sharp. Sight your rifle in with hunting ammo. Dont use the FMJs then switch over to hunting ammo without first putting some on paper. POI can be drastically different.
And finally dont dis pushing bush.
And finally dont dis pushing bush.
I would restate, ask permission from land owners first. Shoot that crate of surplus ammo, and another one or 2 if you could swing it! Find a hunting bullet you like and shoot a box or 2 of that to see if your point of impact changes. Practice good, safe, ethical hunting. Aim small, miss small. Practice freehand shooting for those times a deer will bust out from in front of you. I usually shoot from one knee if the range starts pushing 200 or farther. My grandfathers advice was a good hunter can always sneak closer and wont have to shoot at a running animal. Hunt hard enough and you can always find a deer standing still. That being said, i havent seen too many booners standing still for very long! Main thing is have fun, be safe and introduce someone else to the sport. Dont leave a bad impression of hunters either. Welcome to your new obsession.
