Thanks for all the nominations. It is truly a great compliment to be recognize by your piers for something you truly love doing. Here are a few of tips. I hope they help you out.
Practice! You might get luck and kill a big buck once in your life but to do it consistently you have got to be proficient with your weapon.
Know how to tune your equipment. You will be more confident knowing that you have put forth the extra effort and know your broad heads hit with your field tips, and your arrows will hit where you aim. This will give you an edge above the average hunter because a lot don't have a clue in this department.
In order to kill big bucks consistently you have to hunt where big bucks live. LE units, private property, or do it the hard way on a general unit, deeper darker timber away from roads.
Hunt week days and avoid the crowds! Hunt cold, drisley, over cast, snowy days and avoid the real windy days. Deer don't seem to move on windy days as much.
Get a range finder with the capability to cut yards. This is the greatest thing in bow hunting to come in the last few years. Slopes will cause more misses than anything. This also goes for side slopes. You must always check your bubble before you loose an arrow.
All these things will get you started but to seal the deal you will need to:
Pay attention to the prevailing winds, thermals, down drafts, ect. If you have scouted these areas you will know this. Sent control on a back country hunt is almost impossible.
Stay down wind!
Pick your camo wisely. Don?t wear sage camo in dark timber; don't wear mossy oak in the sage brush. Pick something that is neutral and doesn't shine. Pick something that breaks up the human outline. Predator, ASAT, and the new Sitka if you can afford it is great camo for anything out west. Also cover up your face with paint or a mask. You don't want to look like a big shiny moon staring at the deer.
Eye contact, I avoid eye contact at all times. Deer have a six sense when it comes to something staring at them. I put my bow in front of my face to help break my face and body up when a deer is approaching.
Be in shape, nothing will mentally break you down faster than if you are in poor shape. You simply wont cross the canyon, or traverse to the next ridge even if you see a deer. Because you just don't feel up to it.
Move slow and stay low. Most people walk upright when stalking a deer. A deer will pick you out a lot faster if you are upright. I stay on my butt and put my bow in my lap and try to only expose my head. Sometimes I even get on my belly and slide a few inches at a time. Take off your shoes. If you have your shoes on 9/10 times you will be moving to fast.
Stay in the shadows or keep something in front of you at all times while stalking.
Know your limits, don't rush the shot, and pay attention to the little details and you will take deer on a consistent basis.
Good Luck the best season is coming up for archers. The Rut!
Archery is a year round commitment!!
