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Keep your head steady - and be ready
Outdoors Columnist Are you ready, deer hunters?
If you are a bow hunter, you're probably loving it because it's the chasing stage of the rut. This is when you want to be on stand and ready. If you are a gun hunter, you have a little time on your hands to prepare and dream. I'm a bow hunter, but I think my oldest daughter just decided she wants to gun hunt so I guess it's time to be ready on both fronts.
I have been in the woods six times so far and haven't seen much activity. That will all change one of these days, and hopefully it involves a mature white-tailed buck. I know where he roams and I know that I will not shoot him if I'm not out there.
Here are some things I like to practice as I hunt:
• I like to be as scent-free as possible.
• I like to hunt with the wind in my favor (not blowing into the piece of "structure" I expect him to come from).
• I usually hunt on the way to my stands, which means I will walk slowly and silently until I get up on stand.
• I will use scent, I will use calls and I will use a decoy on the right occasion. Last year I had a great opportunity at a nice buck that I rattled in but I blew it.
• When I'm on stand I like to look without moving my big melon a whole lot. I move my eyes more than my head.
• One thing that is important but is something I don't practice as much as I should is trimming out my tree and shooting lanes, which is why I blew it last year.
• As far as clothing, make sure you don't overdress for your walk to the stand. Bring a backpack with your extra layers and put them on once your body temperature is back down to normal. Other things you might have with you on your hunt: a knife, rubber gloves, a headlamp or flashlight, a small zip-tie or piece of wire or string to affix your tag to your deer, hand warmers, camera, binoculars, toilet paper, a string to pull up your weapon, your license, range finder, GPS or compass, cell phone (on vibrate or silent), scent, calls and whatever else you think you may need.
As you prepare for your hunt, do as much as you can to be ready.
WALLEYEDAN Eigen may be reached at (218) 839-5598, walleyedan@brainerd.com or www.walleyedan.com.
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