The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 6% of the US population spends time hunting. Of these people, some have been hunting for 30 or more years, while others are only getting started.
Regardless of how long someone has been hunting for, they’re never too experienced to not make mistakes. Yet oftentimes, instead of stopping to figure out why they’ve been unlucky season after season, hunters continue making the same mistakes over and over. So what are some common hunting mistakes to avoid?
Keep reading for 10 mistakes you need to make sure you’re not doing.
1. Putting Stands Away From Cover
Have you ever been perched in a stand when you see a deer wander into your view? It looks like it’ll be an easy target. You consider reaching for your bow or gun, but something feels off. Then, the deer perks its head up and bolts off before you get a chance to move. What gives?
Next time you’re hunting on public lands, walk around and look at how many people hang their stands. Many people hang them on bare trees and heights that are too low. This puts them at the eye level of many animals, meaning that you’re easy to notice.
Aside from being too low, many people hang their stands with nothing behind them. If there’s nothing but the open sky behind you, you’re not being discreet.
Remember that in most cases, cover is more important than height. Being perched high above is useless if you have nothing behind you to camouflage you. In that case, you’re better off sticking to the ground.
2. Not Practicing in Hunting Gear
Many people practice hunting in their backyards, which is good. But pay attention to what you’re wearing when you do it.
If you practice while wearing a T-shirt and jeans, is that really going to give you a sense of what it’s like to hunt on a cold November morning from a stand in a tree? Probably not.
When you’re wearing long sleeves, remember that it can impact your bowstrings and shots. This can ruin a seemingly easy shot, or result in a shot that you’re unhappy with.
Aside from sleeves, shooting while wearing gloves (no matter how thin they are) can also affect your shots. Without realizing it, you may end up torquing your shot left or right. If your gloves cover your fingertips, this can also create a different sensation when you’re pulling the trigger.
3. Relying Too Much on Trail Cams
Did you know that George Shiras developed the original trail cam in the late 1890s? They’re over 100 years old! Since becoming popular, they’ve revolutionized hunting, allowing you to learn about animal behavior in the area with the camera.
Yet although they make hunters’ lives easier, many people have a tendency to rely on them too much. Think about it: the cameras are showing you clear images of a specific spot. But there’s no way that the camera can capture every location around your stand that could turn into a shot opportunity.
Likewise, you root your trail cam into a single spot. But what’s happening 25 yards further? For all you know, there could be a congregation of bucks passing throughout of sight of your camera. If you were there, you could grunt them into the range of your stand.
Sometimes you’ll find the best bucks are those you run into unexpected. Deer movement changes all the time, you need to change with it.
4. Getting Distracted
Technology lets us pass the time when we’re bored. Although it can be tempting, try not to get distracted on it while sitting in your stand.
Everyone’s been there before: your area seems dead, so you look down at your phone to pass the time. Then you look up and realize that a buck has wandered right under your nose. You try to take your bow or gun out quietly, but the noise causes him to bolt. Had you been ready, you could’ve snagged him.
It’s easy to get distracted in moments of downtime, but this can cause you to miss things. Glancing at or checking your phone is okay, but don’t become distracted to the point that you forget where you are and why you’re there. This also means that when hunting with friends, you don’t chat or make noise.
Make sure that you’re paying attention to your surroundings, and that you have the proper hunting firearms ready to go. Using the best hunting rifles and bows will make a big difference!
5. Avoid Overhunting
When you’re a young hunter getting started, it can be tempting to try and replicate your method each and every time. But if you stay in the same location and do this, you’ll notice that you bag fewer and fewer animals.
If you’re hunting in a small geographic area, it may seem like you have no other choice than to hunt in the same spot. But consider the idea that it may be better to have fewer, more successful hunts than to have constant unsuccessful ones.
Deer respond quickly to hunting pressure. By hunting from the same spot each time, you’re encouraging them to steer clear of where you are. If you have multiple stands (or better yet, multiple properties), make sure you take advantage of them.
If you do only have one stand, make sure you’re using it when the conditions are perfect.
6. You Don’t Consider the Wind
Sort of like flossing your teeth, playing the wind is something that many people talk about and know that they should be doing. Yet many people still ignore it.
You can use as many scent-eliminating products as you want, but the reality is that you’ll never be scent or fragrance-free. Those sorts of products might buy you some time, but the best solution is to be downwind of the deer.
This means that you’ll need to have an idea of where the wind is coming from and position yourself accordingly. Keep in mind that the wind can change directions, so don’t trust what the forecast says. Keep a wind checker by your side to be certain.
7. Forgetting to Try Out Your Weapons
You can scout ahead, make a detailed plan, and still mess up. Why? Because when it came down to it, you messed up the shot.
New and experienced hunters make the mistake of not practicing enough with the weapons they use. Bowhunters, in particular, need to ensure that they’re keeping their form tight and have a proper execution.
This means that you should be practicing with your weapons year-round. Again, don’t shoot at targets in your backyard. Try to create conditions that mimic what it’ll be like while hunting. Get elevated, get down, and take shots from a variety of different angles.
8. Hunting on Private Property
How would you feel if you saw someone wandering through your property? For that reason, you need to make sure that you respect other people’s property, as well.
If you see a sign that says private property, respect the owner’s wishes. Ignoring signs, or ripping them down, is trespassing and illegal. Unless you know the owner and have reached an agreement, stay away.
If you’re driving to get to a hunting spot, this also means respecting the differences between public and private roads. If you’re on a private road, listen to where the owner has told you to drive, and don’t stray off of that path.
9. Not Practicing Enough With Broadheads
If you’re someone who uses broadhead arrows, you need to make sure you take the time to practice and get comfortable using them. Many people don’t, which leads to them missing shots.
After reading the instructions and different guides, take the time to shoot them from a variety of different positions to get a feel for them. Confidence is key when bowhunting, so make sure you feel comfortable with their shape.
If you notice they fly differently, don’t be afraid to get your bow tuned at a shop. If need be, you can also adjust your sights.
10. You Forget About Exit and Entry Roots
It’s true that hanging your stands in the right locations and in the proper ways is important. But having paths to get to and from there is equally important.
If you spook deer on account of your scent, they’ll avoid your whole area. Having the right exit and entry routes allows you to avoid them, meaning you won’t walk through them and they won’t run away.
It may take some planning and time to nail your routes down, but once you do, you’ll find your hunting to be more successful.
Avoid These Common Hunting Mistakes
After a failed hunt (or even a failed hunting season), it can be difficult to pinpoint where you went wrong. But by avoiding these 10 common hunting mistakes, you’ll be on the path to success.
Do you have any other hunting tips or mistakes that you should avoid? Let us know in a comment below!
If you enjoyed reading this article, don’t forget to check out some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips.
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