There is no shame in making mistakes while hunting, whether as a rookie or a professional. We’ve all made a couple of them at some point, and to say otherwise just isn’t true; We are only human, and humans are not perfect.
What matters is that you try your best to minimize mistakes and accidents from happening in the first place, and sometimes, failure will be your best teacher in that regard.
Whether it’s getting too trigger happy and shooting too early, or neglecting the equipment we bring, making a mistake can mean the difference between coming home with a buck on your shoulder, or empty-handed.
This article is here to examine common mistakes that rookie hunters make, and to inform you to not do them, or if you already do, then to help put a stop to them.
Neglecting your gear
Your hunting equipment is supposed to last you for many seasons, so it makes sense that they would be hardy. However, that is no excuse for simply leaving your bow or rifle wherever. The gunk from the ground can make cleaning it a massive chore, and if you aren’t looking where you are going, you may accidentally step on them, or if you are driving, you might even accidentally back up on them! And those things can get quite expensive too…
Wearing the wrong amount of clothing
So, you did your research on the color of the clothes you should wear to best camouflage yourself among the trees. You meet up alongside your hunting partner and head for the forest for both of you to hunt.
As you step outside your truck though, you suddenly realize something: It’s so cold!
You ask your friend for an extra jacket, and they, being a prepared hunter, have an extra coat or two to spare. Were it not for his goodwill, you would have your teeth chattering all the way as you wait for the deer to arrive, potentially making you lose your concentration.
Remember, having the proper clothing is not enough. You still need to take into account how many layers you need depending on the temperature. Is it cold? Is it warm? Take note of the temperature in the area and adjust accordingly.
Scouting too much
Pre-season scouting is important to catch wind of places like deer feeding grounds. You want to be prepared on what to expect on the area you will be staying at for your hunting duration.
Well, it turns out, you can actually scout too much. Remember, whenever you walk in that forest, you are leaving scent trails of yourself wherever you go. Every tree you touch, every grass blade you brush against will smell like you. Do this too many times, and you end up being a predictable hunter that the local deer population already know.
Eventually, the deer will wise up and run off, not just during your scouting efforts, but also when you actually come back for the real hunt.
So, remember, scout to know, but do not scout too much or they will know too.
Forgetting about the wind
Yes, it seems like a trivial thing to watch for at first, but if you understand deer biology, or more specifically, deer noses, this would be anything but.
If you do not take into account the wind direction and it just so happens to be blowing your scent into the forest, you better believe that all nearby does and bucks would have scattered long before you ever stepped in the forest.
Hunting the best spots early
Yes, it is the best hunting spot for a reason. No, that does not give you the green light to hunt it continuously.
A good hunter knows to leave those spots alone until the perfect time, such as when the bucks are filled to the brim with testosterone, unless there just happens to be a perfect deer waiting around for someone to bag them.
Being too impatient
Whether it’s rushing your shots or packing your deer stand too early, being impatient will simply ruin many possible hunting opportunities just because you couldn’t sit around for a couple of hours.
Don’t rush things. Sure, it may be absolutely tempting to shoot the buck that is literally right in front of you but remember gun safety protocols and make a steady aim, otherwise you are more than likely to miss that shot, while the buck makes its getaway.
Spooking too many deer
Every once in a while, even with the best precautious, a deer may wise up to your actions and dash off, leaving you without a target. Don’t feel bad, these things happen from time to time.
However, if you spook too many deer in such a short timeframe, it might be a wise idea to examine your own tactics and determine whether they are getting spooked by your own actions (Things like your scent, noise, etc.), or by something else entirely.
Finishing Up
No pressure if you are new to hunting. Making mistakes as you try to hunt for that buck is all part of the learning process, and what matters is that you learn something out of it and come back better than ever.
Eventually, you will be able to bag that buck, and once you do, it will be the most satisfying feeling ever. Just keep at it and don’t give up.