Got the bow.. some hunting ??

Hey Guys,

I appreciate all the advice from those who gave it regarding buying a new/used bow. I just made the purchase on my new bow. It was the best of both worlds. It was a brand new bow setup but last years model so I got a significant discount on it.

I ended up with a Quest Primal with the g5 drop away rest and HHA 3 pin floating sight with the third axis. It also included a nice g5 quiver.

It was a deal I couldnt pass up.

Anyhow... I got the bow, now I am practicing for the hunt. I am shootin it like crazy and lovin it.

I have been deer hunting for many years but it has all been with a rifle. I am excited for the new challenge of the bow.

I am anxious to learn all I can about the art/sport of mule deer bow hunting. My experience with bow hunting is extremely limited and really the only thing I can draw on is hunting shows. I do not have any close friends that bow hunt either so my resources for learning are pretty thin. So any info that you are willing to share regarding mule deer bow hunting strategies is very well appreciated?

So a general question I have to all you mule deer archers is, what is your most successful tactic for mule deer?

Lots of the tv shows show hunters shooting from blinds, or tree stands. However, my most common strategy with a rifle is spot and stalk but how often is it that you can spot and stalk with a bow? The stalk must be incredibly difficult to get within ethical bow range. I have seen lots of shows of guys setting up a blind near a water hole, but where I hunt in northern utah there is an abundance of water, so I cant imagine watching water is that effective in a non desert scenario.

I have pushed up canyon early in the morning with my rifle before and have caught bucks down by the creek and they were in bow range... So I guess that could be another tactic: slowly/quietly walk trails and try and catch a buck while its moving from feeding to bedding? Does this tactic work well for bow hunting?

The other method that I have used for rifle hunting is kind of a team tactic where you'll have a couple of guys push an area with a guy at a look out or at an escape point and try and jump deer that way... I could imagine this would be difficult to employ with a bow.

Any advice on archery tactics would be greatly appreciated. I am anxious to learn and would love to spend time with anyone who wouldn't mind a tag a long when they go scoutin this summer in northern utah. I am in Salt Lake City and am in great shape. Also, I am a very avid fisherman(mainly strawberry and flaming gorge... anyone say kokanee?)and rock climber(I have all the ropes and gear to safely climb and ten years experience). I would gladly share a rock climbing lesson/fishing trip with anyone in exchange for a deer scouting/archery hunting lesson...

Thanks

COOL.......GLAD TO SEE YOU GET A NEW BOW..........YD.

fish: Learn to spot and stalk, pick up some small quality bino's an archery range finder some scent-lok cloths and learn to decent youself properly as well as stay scent free by not exposing yourself or your gear to odors if you want to get close to a quality buck. Lots of writings on the subjects I referrenced. Do your homework and you will enjoy archery hunting Pick up the book "Back Country Bowhunting" by Cameron Hanes lots of info plus a learning video...good hunting.

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Wind is your friend. If you can hunt when a storm is moving in, the wind will be more constant in the direction it is blowing. Deer will be harder to locate, because they tend to hide up and lock down when the wind is blowing. The reasons: Wind screws up there ability to catch movement, because everything is moving. It screws up their hearing because of noise made by wind through the limbs, branches and pine cones, etc. falling. Wind screws up smell because scents are moving so fast and changing directs to some degree. Deer go into hide and wait it out mode, because all their survival modes are receiving interference. What is messing with them can be used to your advantage. Your movement is covered, because everything is moving. The noise you make is covered by all the other noise. Your scent is more controlled, because you can keep the wind in your face. If there is no wind, it is tough to move much and not be detected. Hunting in and after a rain helps a lot. Study thermals and how they work, morning and evening. If possible. keep the sun behind you. Hang in the shadows, out of the sun, if you can. Move only when the deer has his head down, or is looking the other way. Don't focus so much attention on the one deer you are after, that you don't notice the other deer that may be hiding there, also. Use those binos to pick everything apart and look a lot more than you move. Another of my favorites, find a high spot to sit in the mornings. Put anything you are interested to bed. Give them some time, because they will probably move once, after the sun is up. If you have a buddy, have him sit back and watch the show, so he can let you know if the deer is still playing the game. Your senses will be on much higher alert when you know "something" is in front of you. It's really hard to stay focused when you're just still hunting and hoping to see something. If you just want to kill a deer, find a good heavily used trail, and wait in ambush on the downwind side.