Guide on Some of the Best Ways of Stalking the Deer

While stalking the hunter should make frequent stops in order to scan the surrounding area and obtain a true picture instead of a distorted one and carrying a concealing object between himself and the deer would be an advantage. The hunter can take a good advantage of the deer's motion when he is rising from rest. Here he can take a good shot while the deer is rising from rest. Get always ready to take your shot.

Of course, a man who is stalking a deer should keep some concealing object between himself and the deer. This is comparatively easy if the deer's exact location is known, but if, as is usually the case, he is stalking an area where he suspects a deer to be hiding, concealment becomes increasingly difficult as he approaches that area. While concealing himself from one part of the area, he is apt to reveal himself to a deer which might be in a different part of that area. The only thing the hunter can do about this situation is to keep a close watch on the entire area so that he will see the deer as soon as possible. Usually there is enough intervening cover to permit the hunter to approach to a point which is within gunshot range of the deer, and then it is up to him to see the deer before it makes its escape.

If the exact location of the deer is known, stalking procedure is simplified unless the deer is in open country. In the latter case it is necessary to approach the animal from the back or, if this is not possible, to advance while the deer is not looking. This is practically impossible unless the deer is occupied in feeding.

It requires exceptionally good eyesight to spot a deer in its bed; however, it must come to its feet before running and this motion of rising is often the hunter's first good chance to spot the animal. Some deer come to their feet and start running with almost the same motion, but if they are uncertain of the hunter's intentions, they will often stand long enough for an aimed shot or possibly a closer approach. If the hunter should decide that an alerted deer might permit a closer approach, he should move in a direction that will take him past the deer at the desired distance instead of walking directly towards the animal. In cases of this sort, where the deer has seen me, I consider a stealthy approach as useless and I walk boldly, trying to create the impression that I am not interested in the deer but have other business in the woods. Deer will not always be deceived by this procedure, so the hunter should be prepared to shoot at all times after he has seen the deer.

In stalking deer, it is well for the hunter to consider the fact that a man's eyes are usually over five feet above the ground, while those of a deer are seldom as high as that. This gives two different angles of sight and sometimes low branches will obscure a man's vision while the deer is able to see under them and spot the motion of the hunter's feet and legs long before the hunter is able to see the deer. This is often true of deer which are in their bed. The only way to overcome this condition is for the hunter to take an occasional look from a position near the ground.

I have stalked quite a few deer that were in their beds. Most of them were merely resting and chewing heir cud, but two of them were actually asleep. I watched one of these from a distance of about fifty feet for several minutes. It was curled into its usual sleeping position and the eyes were closed. As I watched, the deer's head snapped erect, the animal came to its feet and it stood there looking at me until I moved and it had identified me as a man. Some slight eddy of air must have carried my scent to the sleeping animal and it was instantly alerted to its danger. This incident shows what a wonderful sense of smell these animals possess.

While stalking keep a close watch on the entire area, so that you will see the deer as soon as possible. And if the exact location of the deer is identified it is easier to stalk and approach the deer and on the open country. And most importantly your motion could play a major part in your approach to the deer. The eyesight of the hunter is very important in spotting the motions of the deer. And the position of the eyes is also equally important. The also possess a wonderful sense of smell.

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