As hunters are approaching the highly anticipated deer season, they are starting to prepare to have an exciting moment. The success of the hunting season will depend on the level of preparation of its hunter. This guide details how to prepare for the hunting sport, including setting up your trail cameras, corn scattering, mounting the stands, and ensuring you have an excellent sight for the target.
Setting up the Trail Cameras
Trail Cameras remain part and parcel of the sport. To understand the pattern and activities of the animals, you should monitor them using trail cameras. To effectively use them, follow the steps below.
1. Identify the Right Location
Identify the paths where the animals will pass and place your trail cameras there. To identify a high-traffic area, you should look for possible signs like rubs on trees and trails. Feeding areas are also suitable for placing cameras.
Position the camera 3 to 4 feet off the ground. The height prevents debris and grass from triggering the camera to capture false pictures. Position the camera at an angle that will give you a broad view of the animals as they move. Additionally, ensure the camera is placed discreetly with proper lighting to generate high-quality images.
2. Use Proper Settings for the Camera
A good camera should capture both day and night images. As you set your camera to have a high resolution, ensure it senses only the motion of the deer and not the movement of other small animals passing around. Setting up a delay between photos is prudent to conserve memory and battery life.
Corn Scattering
Corn scattering is a method of providing bait to the animals to attract them to a specific site. The animal will follow the bait, which is the scattered corn. To effectively do it;
1. Choose the Right Corn
Most hunters prefer using whole-kernel corn because deer love it. However, others use corn blends that entice them better. Ensure you scatter the corn in places where the animals frequently visit to feed. Specifically, you should scatter the corn near the trails and bedding areas. Notably, it would help if you did not place corn near where you intend to mount your stand to avoid scaring the animals away.
2. Timing
You can scatter the corn in the target territory a few weeks before the hunting season begins. Early scattering of corn early endears the animals to the feeding area. You should have a sustainable amount of corn and refresh them regularly.
3. Quantity
To avoid overfeeding, scatter a moderate amount of corn in the feeding area. Excess corn supply may attract other wild animals that are not part of the target. Develop a regular feeding schedule that entices the target and makes them love the place.
Setting up the Stand
You can set up a bipod stand and a tree stand. The stand setup is a significant step in the preparation for a hunting season.
Tree Stand- the tree stand should be placed several meters above the ground. A height of 15 to 25 feet from the ground will give you a good vantage point and prevent the target from noticing your presence. The tree should have a good cover and provide a good shooting sight.
During installation, ensure you have a safety harness as you climb the tree. Attach the stand firmly on the tree to prevent it from swaying. You can camouflage yourself with leaves to prevent the target from noticing your presence. Follow all the safety guidelines when installing the stand.
Set up the tree stand in a place that allows quiet entry. The deer are sensitive to noise; thus, using a ladder for silent entry and exit avoids spooking the target.
Bipod Stand
Before setting up a bipod stand, ensure you have a clear view of the area you want to cover. The ground should be flat to prevent the bipods from falling. Atlas Bipods, Magpul Bipods, and MDT are bipod stands that offer a clear field view. The listed bipods from Optics Force can be adjusted to suit the required shooting position. Adjust the legs to create a stable shooting position.
Scouting the Target
You undertake scouting activities to ascertain whether the deer are in the area. Check for droppings and rubs to determine their fresh activities. Identify if they have fresh tracks. You establish the target movement and feeding areas using GPS or maps before setting up the stand. Scouting should be done before the season starts to minimize the disturbances of the animals.
Avoid using substances that produce scent because deer are sensitive to scent. Notably, wear scent-free clothes or use scent-eliminating sprays. The area should be free of any disturbances. After mapping the movement of the target, the strategy you employ should be based on the target behavior.
Sight Calibration
You don't want to miss when shooting the deer as a hunter. Calibrating the sight increases your level of accuracy. To ensure your sights are sighted, do the following;
1. Zeroing -the rifle or bow you use should be properly sighted in. Adjust the sights to confirm that the shots are accurate.
2. Practice - to increase the accuracy levels, practice to shoot an object from different positions. Your confidence level is likely to improve when you practice multiple times. Before the hunting sport, you should familiarize yourself with the weapons you will use during the hunting session.
3. Adjust according to Prevailing Conditions- factors like wind direction and distance should be considered when sighting in your device. Take advantage of different conditions to adjust your sights before the season begins. In most cases, hunters take 20-30 yards using bows and 100 yards when shooting with rifles.
The deer season requires proper preparation to increase your success rate. It would help if you established where you mount the trail cameras, scatter the corns, and set up your stands. The above guidelines will provide adequate preparation and equip you with the tools to use during the hunting session. By executing the steps, you can enhance your chances of having a successful hunting season.