stalk hunting

ohotnik

ohotnik

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Vancouver, BC
Hello guys,
Could anybody share their secrets of stalk hunting? I just started hunting and this is my first season. I tryied to do stalk hunting once and in BC's type of forest (very thick and bushy) it seems impossible to be noiseless. What i did is just spooked all the game around me - heard deers were running from me. Got nothing. I tryied hard to make as less noise as possible, but bush and tree branches made noise when I was going through them despite all my efforts. How do you do it guys? I do not want to do only truck type of hunting, but would prefer hunt on my feet - much more closer to nature this way. Thank you.
 
hay hows it going
well the only time i stalk hunt is when im up north and can see for miles or if im in a clear cut and i can see an animal.
there is also the factor of wind direction, sent and nose but i find that there are animals that can be attracted by nose wind will also cairy nose for a long range and sent is another, try to get down wind or above him that seems to work for me.
talk to ya all later
Riley
 
i usually walk really slowly for 30 minutes or so, stopping every little while to look are around with my binoculars, then when i come across a place where i can see 70-100 yards, i sit for 30 minutes. then i repeat the procedure.

i have found bedded deer like this as well as coyotes and such.
 
We do pretty much all our hunting from foot. I think it's more fun than road hunting.

Yes you have to be as quiet as possible, but don't expect to be totally silent. If you ever see a deer or moose walk by, they are extremely quiet but they still snap a twig every once and awhile. If you're hunting in thick forests, you need to go really slow. In theory, I don't think you can go too slow. Take a few steps, stop look and listen.
My main advice would be to find a game trail and walk along that. It will be far quieter than bushwacking. The trails usually are relatively clear from the little twigs that snap. The type of clothing you wear can also make a difference. I prefer wool pants because they're warm, comfortable, and they are silent. No nylon pants or cordouroy, hehe.
 
I bellt crawled through tall grass to a small buck and nailed him at 13 paces. I hunt alot of areas that are easy for the stalk. A field with round bales makes a good stalk because of their size and cover.
 
Still hunting consists mostly of walking very,very slow and quietly through the bush with a lot of stops to check out the surrounding area.Also make sure that the wind is not blowing from you towards where you are going.
It seems that most of the deer that I shoot up close are standing where they think that they are hidden.Sometimes they will let you get quite close before they scare the hell out of you as they leave the scene.The secret is be slow,quiet and look,look,look.
Ron
 
Always walk against the wind

wear fleece type clothing, no "swish swish" nylons

Keep your clothing in a wood box with pine branches off season and change before you get in camp so you wont smell of bacon, smoke and rye. Same for your boots.

Walk slowly and drop the outer edge of your feet starting with the heel than little toe. Than you drop your foot flat...It may sound weird but it helps when your walking on dry leaves and other noise making material.

Each 10 m or so, stop look, listen, smell and feel...you must become one with nature :)

Try to maximise your chances by knowing the habits of the deer you hunt and nothing beats spending time in the bush in the off season. Walk around alote and get to know your hunting grouds by heart.

Talk with old hunters where you live/hunt they may give you some incredible insight.
 
I try to sound like a deer, I even paw the ground sometimes. I tend to stop more than go, and I try to stay on good trails that offer better walking and less noise. I have shot a few this way, but have better luck in the more open country. Most whitetails I kick up out of a slough stop to look back before they are out of range.
 
well go SLOW , when deer hunting hunt grouse, if you can get close to them that tells you are doing right for Deer... Follow the game trails when ever possible, and I wear wool, red coloured and the minium allowed of blaze orange. Wash your clothes in none soap water at least twice , rinse with pine brows, or cedar. I take usally one a year in a hard to get deer area.
Of course hunt with the wind in your face if you can.Try to remember what goes wrong when you spook deer. And of course avoid doing it again. In short it takes time and practice. Try doing it in the off season as well. Watch what the deer in your area do under different conditions, and when you do different things.
Well best of luck
 
when people are sayin go slow they mean GO SLOW..it should take you 30 minutes to go a hundered yards... fleece or wool for sure and keep the wind in your face. A good crosswind is just as effective.
 
Try to sound like an animal. Go slow, pause often. I will take a couple slow steps and pause for at least as long. When a deer or moose is browsing along, they pause to smell the air or reach for food. Shuffle your feet a little now and then like you're pawing the ground. Stay alert and watch for small signs...like an ear twitching or a tail moving or just the horizontal line of a deers back. Always hunt into the wind.
 
As others have said, go slow, slow, slow... a few steps then stop and listen for a bit and scan. Be as quiet as possible, check where you step, make sure you don't bang things or rattle with your body (metallic sounds, keys, slings against your stock, etc). I scan eyes first, then head, then slowly turn my body. Don't forget to check behind you, deer like to cross after you pass. I scan long with binos when I come across a clearing (I tuck it inside my jacket so it doesn't swing or bang against my rifle).

Needless to say concentrate when listening and looking. Look for sign on the ground and beside you as you walk. And keep the wind in your face if possible - I carry a little puff bottle to check the wind if it seems still.

Watch odors around your hunting clothes. I wash mine in no scent soap and keep them in a plastic tub with a cover scent wafer till use. I sometimes wear a camo face cover or grow a beard so I don't show a shiny pink face. I also spray my clothes and boots with scent blocker in the field. Same with showering, etc - I use no scent products on hunting day.
 
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Kodiak Outpost said:
In theory, I don't think you can go too slow. Take a few steps, stop look and listen.
Click to expand...

IMHO this cannot be understated. My general rule is that if I am not spending at least 2/3 to 3/4 of the time looking, I am moving too fast.

Take two steps, then study EVERYTHING through your binos. When you are satisfied that nothing looks like a deer, then you get to take another two steps. Then STOP again, get those binos up, and start studying again.

Using this technique, I have literally been within a couple of meters from deer before I either see them first or they see/smell/hear me first (BIG ADVENTURE TIME!).

Good luck....still hunting is an awesome way to hunt!

Brobee
 
As many have stated, go SLOW...I usually go three steps...stop, look, and listen. When I come to a more open area I stop before entering and spend twice the time looking before crossing the clearing which I will usually do at a steady pace to the far side or skirt the clearing staying just inside the bush line...also stay below hill tops. Still hunting is the most rewarding type of hunting for me and with patience and pratice you'll see a lot more game at close distances.
Happy hunting!
 
go slower and dont walk like a person. also look for little bits of an animal , like a tail or antler tip. For every deer you see clearly there is a whole heck of alot more that got away on ya if your not observant. anyways , go slower and when you think your going slow enough , go a little slower.
 
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