hunting whitetail deer

Hunting Whitetail Deer With Dogs

By Jelena Leger

Hunting whitetail deer with dogs has fallen out of favor for many hunters through the years. With new laws and some questions on ethical treatment of the dogs this method of hunting is harder to achieve today. However, if a large enough area of land is secured, plenty of hunters are willing to work together and all is legal, then it can be a very exhilarating hunt.

The first priority besides safety of course should be the well being of the dogs. Healthy dogs have the stamina to keep that deer on the run. One drawback to hunting with dogs is that someone has to foot the bill to house and feed them. Annual vaccinations and health checks are another expense. One of the main reasons this practice has fallen out of favor is because after deer season some dogs have been abandoned or even shot to keep expenses down to care for them during the rest of the year. Remember to care for the dogs if this is a chosen hunting method. They enjoy it as well and they work hard. They deserve to be treated with respect.

The next consideration is the property to be hunted. Most states that allow hunting deer with dogs require a minimum acreage of land to hunt. The reality is that dogs know no boundaries. However, land owners are very fond of boundaries. Having a large area to hunt cuts down on dogs straying onto others property as well as wounded deer. Most laws require a minimum of one thousand acres to hunt with dogs. This requirement has cut down on the number of hunters using dogs drastically because securing that much land can be difficult.

Actually hunting whitetails with dogs is much like drive hunting with other hunters. The main differences are the acreage covered is much larger with dogs and deer that are seen are almost always running when chased by dogs. Hunters are posted at strategic locations where deer are expected to escape the area once the chase starts. The hunters with dogs then set the dogs loose on the other side of the area where deer are suspected to be bedded. The dogs then hopefully run the deer toward the posted hunters.

Many trophy bucks have been harvested using dogs. This practice should be employed with respect to the dogs, applicable laws and other land owners. When all of these rules are followed, then deer hunting with dogs should be a positive sport.

Jelena Leger is a happily married mother of four. She has been marketing on the web since 2008 and has enjoyed the outdoors most of her life. Get the best deals on spiral curling irons

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hunting whitetail deer

Deer Hunting Before the Rut

By Jelena Leger

Hunting whitetail deer before the rut is mainly centered around feeding areas and trails. During this time, both bucks and does are eating more to put on weight for the winter and the coming rut season. Feeding areas tend to be where they spend alot of time during the fall and early winter. Time of the rut differs in different regions depending on severity of winter, availability of food and other factors. Therefore, hunting time before the rut varies from region to region. In any case, focus on food plots and common trails to those plots as well as water sources while hunting before the rut.

Food plots are small areas of land set aside to plant corn, rye, clover or other food sources. There are many types of plants to choose from including seed mixtures specially formulated for deer feeding plots. Food plots may range in size from a few square yards to several acres. Long narrow food plots tend to be more productive in that deer feel more secure with cover nearby. Baiting or pouring grain on the ground or in a feeder is another deer attractant. However, this is illegal in some states so be sure to check local hunting laws before baiting.

Hunting over high traffic deer trails is another prerut tactic that may be highly successful. Trails may be found between feeding and known bedding areas. The stand will usually be placed in the woods in this situation. Since the range of sight will be limited in wooded hunting areas it will be imperative the hunter uses caution to keep from being detected before a deer is even seen. Keep in mind that deer are extremely cautious all of the time even in cover. A hunter that hasn’t yet seen nor heard a deer in the woods may already be detected by nearby deer through smell, hearing or sight.

There are plenty of great hunting strategies to harvest a trophy buck before the rut. Get those food plots planted at the appropriate time and find heavily used trails to feeding areas. Place stands early so when the time comes to hunt, deer will be used to the new addition to the environment. Stay close to food sources, trails and water sources to increase the likelihood of seeing a good buck before the rut.

Jelena is a happily married mother of four. She has been marketing on the web since 2008 and has enjoyed the outdoors all of her life. Check out Digital game cameras and Cuddeback trail cameras for the best deals on game cameras.

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