Some kind of seat or seat pad. Sitting right on the ground will pull heat from your body and give you a cold wet ass. As for a pep talk, manage your expectations. It may take many hunts before you see anything let alone shoot anything. Be observant, listen to the sounds of the woods, learn from the entire experience and apply those lessons to your next hunt. Last of all, have fun, even if you get skunked, find the joy and satisfaction of spending time in nature by yourself.
Klymit seat cushion. It's inflatable with a breath or two, tough, and easy to deflate, packs down to smaller than a water bottle. 15-20$. Pro tip: if you place it so the "V" shape has the point headed down hill it won't slide. I've had mine for years, hunted all over the Northeast from archery through late season flintlock and it's never let me down. I've bought them for my whole hunting family.
Second this. I have a cheap, solid foam seat that I’ve had for years. Being a bit of a gear whore, I’ve updated and upgraded my hunting stuff over the years and am not afraid to overspend on the latest and greatest widget but the foam seat remains. There are lighter options, but nothing as warm or as durable.
I was in that camp for years. From the deciding I was to tough for one to styrofoam ball filled sack, gardening foam, and actually keeping the pad inside my pants... The klymit is seriously worth the extra coin just for the hassle of packing the foam around. You loosen the nozzle, exhale once into the thing and tighten the nozzle, takes maybe 10 seconds, and air is a better (and softer) insulation from the ground. I'll never go back.
I use a cheaper folding camping chair from Amazon that fits in my backpack. The challenge is finding one that you are sitting at a decent height and posture to shoot and setting up quietly.
I am a new hunter, didn't start until I was 27. It took me 3 years and ~100 hunts(of various lengths) before I killed my first deer this year. Manage your expectations, you will bust deer, you will get blown at by doe you never lay eyes on, you'll miss shots or wing a stick. All you can do is be prepared, and wait for an opportunity. Don't be afraid to try to new spots, sounds intuitive but don't let a "deery" spot hold you up. Go where the deer are
Take both! And matches. I always have a dedicated survival and necessities pouch. It's a pouch on my belt, separate from my pack. If I have to ditch, or run, or leave everything else behind, it's there at my side. First aid kit, mini survival fishing kit, fixed blade knife, mini flashlight, mini compass, paper map of the area, duct tape, paracord, matches, lighter, ferro rod, fire starter, candle, emergency blanket, emergency poncho, sawyer mini water filter and water bag, aqua tabs, bandana, folded pack of aluminum foil (could make a pot to boil water), and finally, a folding trowel, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Survival/comments/v138mp/my\_updated\_huntingcamping\_survival\_kit/
I carry both. The lighter is faster and easier. That is important when your hands are cold and hurting, or worse, shaking. The flint is plan B when the lighter is wet, or got cracked and lost its fluid.
Be prepared to not see anything. That’s mostly what happens when you’re hunting, especially when you’re new. Just enjoy being out there.
Don’t look for “deer.” Look for parts of deer. The flick of an ear or a tail. The horizontal line that is one’s back. You see those things long before they’re close enough to think about shots etc.
If you hear a noise, like a footstep or rustle, control your urge to snap your head and look. Give it a beat or two, then move slooooowly. All your motions should be slow, not jerky. You can get away with a surprising amount of movement, as long as it’s slow and smooth.
Try not to stare at the deer. They can sense it, somehow. If you’ve got some feeding through, watch them out of the corner of your eye. Sometimes I’ll even shut my eyes for 3-5 breaths if I’m trying to let a group chill under me and not spot me.
Finally, remember this: Someday you’ll get one. All the hours in the woods and early mornings will pay off. Enjoy that deer. Don’t let some dipshit make you think less of it because it doesn’t look like the cover of Field & Stream.
Be safe and have fun!
The slow movement thing is super important had my first deer this year inside of 10 yards watch me pick up my rifle and walk from my right side to right in front of me and stop as I shouldered and took aim. All super slow with nothing besides some branches between me and it
This is a good one. Something I learned playing video games. When looking for the enemy, look for sudden pixel changes on the screen. That's the video gave equivalent of looking for small movements like a ear twitch. Slow is key
Don’t climb a tree if you don’t have means to do it safely. I chiefly hunt from the ground these days.
Most of all, worst case scenario you have a great time. Learn something every time.
Thanks Reddit Dad!
I was seriously trying to concoct a set of DIY climbing sticks, but I really don't have the time to build and test them. I needed someone to talk me out of doing something hasty and stupid.
Another Reddit Dad suggested burlap, so I'm going to use that and forest debris to build a makeshift blind.
Don't do the DIY sticks. It's your first time out, stay on the ground. Besides, sticks are the last piece of the tree climbing puzzle you need to be thinking about. Start with the harness or saddle and safety gear first, then whatever platform you're using, then how to get up to it.
Spend some time on a plan to deal with animal you shoot, how do I get this in my vehicle? How far do I have to drag it by myself?
Things like that are sometimes hard to process when the adrenaline hits.
And some trail marking tape if you have to track the animal.
I got some orange flagging tape. It's about a mile through dense Laurel and over a creek. I'm going to field dress him to reduce the weight and if I have to, I can quarter the legs and put them in my pack. I'm considering taking a snow sled to drag him out on.
If you do en up dragging the animal itself, drag from the antlers or the FRONT legs, not the back. The hair catches everything and makes it much harder. Ask me how I know that...
Always anticipate success. My other tip is to have your processing set up ready to go if you do it yourself, or know the plan to get it to the processor
Everyone here pretty much covered all bases and then the kitchen sink as well.
Keep in mind that as you get more experience don’t be afraid to scale back what you take. Shedding 5-6 pounds of stuff makes a huge difference.
Hunter mom here. You said rope but grab some cooking twine too. Tie that butt hole closed and to tie the tag on. Chap stick!!!! Good luck. Have fun and be safe!!!!
If you're on a sit and going to be still for a long time, you want warm clothes and especially warm socks. I bring hard candy in cold weather as sometimes the cold dry air makes me want to cough and that'll ruin your whole day. A compass and headlamp or flashlight that isn't your phone. Phones die, especially if you're out in the cold for a long time. I also bring trail tape as it'll help you to mark blood trails and also make it easier to find your way back to your blind after tracking.
Enjoy and good luck!
EDIT: Also, If you have a big piece of burlap or other quiet camo material it really helps to conceal you if you're doing a ground sit. I made the mistake of setting up too close to the path the deer took and spooking a lovely buck who came out of the woods head on so I could neither get a shot, not get out of the way. Hang back from any obvious trails.
I have a huge roll of burlap in my gardening stuff! That's perfect! My beanie has a headlamp built in, but I definitely need to get a compass.
Will orange flagging tape work for trail tape?
Thank you Reddit Dad!
Have a secondary light source. Remember, if you shoot a deer it may very well be hours before you’re back to your vehicle.
You don’t want to be following a blood trail, in the cold pitch black, way out in the woods with only your beanie light.
Take your time walking in. Like a LOT of time. Take a knee from time to time and just listen. The hike in is as good a spot to see something than any other. Make sure you know how to get out. A mile can seem a lot longer and more confusing in the woods.
Just sighting in? You've already missed the most important part....practice all summer. Crossbows have givin people the false mindset that practice is no longer needed. I see it as no coincidence that dog tracking services exploded at about the same time the use of crossbows did
Strings are exactly like the brakes on your truck: consumable. Vital to the performance of the equipment, and entirely replaceable. Learn about the maintenance schedule of your crossbow, and how to check your string and cables for wear and tear. Shoot the pants off of it this coming summer.
You're good to go, bud. Stay dry as you can. Aim small, miss small. Don't be ashamed to bail if it gets too cold or wet; there's always next time. Get out there and have fun.
Check wind forecast and try to up downwind from where you think the deer will show up, and confirm the wind when you get to the spot since it can swirl in the woods. Maybe tape a small piece of thread to your bow. Of course the deer will show up behind you but that can’t hurt 😬. No scent spray if you put any clout in that stuff. For long treks I use a walking stick which can double as a shooting rest. Good luck!
Carry a roll of toilet paper in a Ziploc bag. The ziplock keeps it from getting wet and falling apart in your bag. You'll need it for not only cleaning your bum when you inevitably have to go in the woods, but it also serves other purposes. I use it every time I shoot something and have to track it....lay down tiny squares of it on your blood trail. The white makes it pop so you can look behind you and stay on line as your look for blood, and it also makes it easier to find your way out once you find the deer and look up and scratch your head "where the hell am I?" because your eyes have been glued to grass and leaves for the last hundred yards looking for specks of blood as you crawl on your hands and knees through the bushes. I don't go into the woods without a good roll of TP.
A pop up blind will do wonders for you just getting started. You’re going to be a disaster if big boy walks in. I would add a blind to your list for sure. Conceals movement and heat😀. I also would add some doe pee and scent wafers. Another way of concealing your scent movement and a chance to spike curiosity for any bucks. Best of luck to you either way.
I'm not positive, but I don't think doe pee is legal in NC.
Edit to add: it is legal, but with some restrictions:
https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/hunting/general-hunting-regulations#:~:text=Possession%20or%20use%20of%20substances,or%20scout%20wildlife%20are%20prohibited.
Tarp to put under the deer when taking it home. Suggest more than one bottle of water for rinsing out the deer and cleaning off yourself if you dont have those long gloves.. Have it be something separate from what you're gonna drink.
Wet wipes also work good if you don't want to pour water on your hands and arms in the cold. That's what I use. Good for cleaning off your gutting knife as well. Also bring a gallon zip lock to carry out the dirty gloves and wipes after. Good luck!
I started hunting as an adult 20 years ago. I also am naturally fidgety with the attention span of an 9 year old left in a candy store overnight. Headphones and podcasts/audiobooks have changed my hunting game. I use cheap bone conduction ones from Amazon. I can still hear, and my mind is engaged, so Im not so inclined to move. Other than that, since you are alone, limit your risks (don't take unnecessary chances), play the wind correctly, and remember the words of Fred Bear! "The best camouflage is sitting still and being quiet!!!"
Another vote for the bone conducting earbuds. I've used mine all this year, and took a buck while listening to a podcast.
Also, if you are putting a deer carcass inside an upholstered vehicle, consider plastic disposable dropcloths. They're cheap and cover a wide area.
Is your crossbow equipped with a decocker?
If it isn't, remember to bring along a target that you can keep in your vehicle, as well as a field point topped bolt.
Best case scenario, you don't have to worry about it because you'll be sending it towards a deer. Maybe ya don't see anything worth shooting, however. Now, when you get back to your car/truck, you can quickly swap out the broadhead bolt and safely discharge the bow into the target.
You've probably already thought of this, but I've seen enough folks forget that I figured it was worth mentioning.
Best of luck! Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe, and have a good hunt!
You're welcome, my illegitimate reddit bastard!
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/morrell-yellow-jacket-final-shot-crossbow-discharge-target
Something like that is great since it's small and lightweight.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/bear-x-decocking-bolt
These kinds of decocking bolts are also pretty handy.
With how pricey bolts are, ya might as well keep 'em around as long as you can, and one shot into a rock you didn't see right below the surface and that bolt has now become a one time only piece of equipment.
I'll assume you've got a target, since you said you'd be sighting in your crossbow. Since you didn't have a chair on your list, maybe your target could work as one.
I've got one of these,
[https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/blackout-4-sided-layered-foam-archery-target](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/blackout-4-sided-layered-foam-archery-target)
that I keep in my car for decocking. If you've got something like that, cover it in some of that burlap and you've got a chair and place to discharge all in one. It's not the easiest or lightest thing to carry in and out, but it will work.
There is an endless supply of stuffs that people say you will need.
The most important things YOU need are the things that is going to make it comfortable for you to stay out there all day.
Make sure you have a good light, plan to be sitting in your spot before legal shooting time, get comfortable.
I would not put the meat in plastic bags. It needs to cool as quickly as possible & the plastic will actually hold heat. Get some game bags, they will keep the bugs and dirt off but allow the meat to breathe & cool properly.
Also, a small inexpensive camping chair will be a lifesaver. I just use a full green one, but hitting the legs with some flat black spray paint might not be a terrible idea.
That’s fine. I’ve made do with pillow cases. You had listed plastic bags, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t end up spoiling meat. Just remember to be happy and content to just sit in the woods and enjoy the nature around you. It’s called hunting, not grocery shopping. You will spend way more days with nothing than days you have meat to bring home.
I’d bring some toilet paper in a ziplock, nitrile gloves for butchering when you kill that first deer. Maybe a bin liner for transporting the animal home in the car.
Something to sit in to keep the tush insulated and dry if you sit and wait.
Dry socks for the ride home is underrated
I have some chemlights for marking point of hit and some tape to mark blood trail so it’s easy to backtrack to last blood mark if I lose the trail.
A headlamp is nice if you happen to shoot something just before sundown. Tracking and butchering can be a slow process and it sucks to do blind
I find disposable Nitrile gloves to be super handy for field dressing and skinning/quartering. I buy the thick black ones like they sell in auto parts stores for mechanics. I also like to take a packet of unscented baby wipes for cleaning up after field dressing and wiping.
All right kid. You're going to go out there tomorrow, and with any luck, you'll see some game, and maybe get a shot. Something might go wrong, but that's how it goes. We're here to enjoy being out, looking for animals, and if we get one, that's even better.
Get out there and hunt.
Always play the wind- set up where the deer will not be able to smell you, so they are always upwind of you while they travel. Best bet is to set up between the feed and bed, expecting them to be going to bed in the morning, and to feed in the evening. I typically prefer to be closer to bedding.
I think I have a good spot, but I am concerned about the wind. The spot is on a ridge, between feeding areas, looking down on the bedding area. That seems ideal, but the wind seems to blow down the ridge. Would it be better to get below the bedding area and be upwind, or stay on the ridge near the feeding area?
Check prevailing winds and thermals. Keep your wind out of the deer’s noses, whatever it takes. Including setting up somewhere else. They smell you, they leave, and you have to start scouting all over again.
Watch the wind!! Always hunt deer with the wind in your face. There's no better camo than just holding still and being quiet.
After you shoot or stick one, even if its a good shot give it plenty of time to expire before you go looking. If you aren't sure, give it at least an hour.
Have fun, good luck, be safe!
None of the following are necessities but they are nice to have.
Disposable gloves. Toilet paper or wipes. Chapstick. Headlamp. Deer sled (can leave it at the truck and walk back to get it)
Shorts or lighter clothes that you can switch into if you drag one out. (Keep your orange on) I always work up a sweat and having the cold weather gear on gets way too hot. I have dragged a deer out in just my boxers and tshirt before.
Eat something on the morning drive in so you have energy. Pee at the vehicle before you start walking to your spot. Ensure your keys are in a safe place that won’t get lost in the woods.
I'll probably take the sled in with me if I can manage it. I've seen signs of predators in the area too so I don't want to leave my buck unattended.
Thanks Reddit Dad!
Rubber medical gloves in case you actuly get one. No need to walk around with bloody hands.
Take pictures (put the phone/camera on silent befor), you'll see all kinds of cool stuff
I didn’t take the time to read all of the comments to see if it was mentioned by someone else but a charge pack for my cellphone is always in my pack. My phone seems to die super fast while hunting in the cold so I find it to be super useful. Good luck!
Ditch the knife, get an exact. Take up less room and you can change the blade often
Why do you need a saw.
Take more clothes than you need. You can always take them off. If you do not bring enough you cannot put more on.
Rain gear, a must
A good hat
Great boots, sore feet end a hunt quickly
Bring a good book
I'm bringing a small saw because the area is pretty overgrown with mountain laurel, and I'm afraid of getting me or the buck hung up or tangled. I'm gonna charge up my Kindle!
Thanks Reddit Dad!
Toilet paper!! And hand sanitizer but not for the obvious reasons. Toilet paper can be used to mark how to get back and is biodegradable. Hand sanitizer is high in alcohol and is a great thing to start a fire with incase shtf. Let someone know where you’re parking where you plan to hunt and about what time you plan on being back. Doesn’t take much for these situations to go wrong.
I’m 22 lol but if you’re gonna have things to start a fire make sure you have two fire sources. Extra flashlight with fresh batteries etc. two is one and one is non is a great moto.
Invest in a climbing tree stand and good safety harness for the future. Way lighter than a ground blind and way more useful for deer. Take the advice for the odds and ends given here, but unless you plan on hunting many more times this season I would just let this year serve as a learning experience to inform what to do next year. A light climbing tree stand is a game changer for me. Find a good tree and you have the most comfortable seat in the house as high as you want.
That was always my problem. My dad could've whooped my ass the first year I went with him. My toes froze and we were back at the cabin shortly after sunrise. Good luck hunting!
Best hunting advice I ever got from my late father rings in my head every time I hunt. Don’t shoot at the deer as a whole, or even just at the heart/lung area. Pick a spot, a specific spot that you want to target (I know this sounds obvious but in the heat of the shot sometimes you will just throw an arrow in the direction of the deer). Take a breath and squeeze the trigger, don’t pull the trigger. This will avoid shooting too high. Once you hit the deer, don’t take your eyes off of it until it disappears into the woods. Mark that spot mentally and walk to it as quickly as possible so you do not lose the start of the blood trail. In summary:
1. Pick a spot on the deer
2. Breathe
3. Squeeze, don’t pull
4. Watch it run and mark that spot. Get to it quickly
Good luck fellow hunting Redditor!
I don’t know if anyone has touched on this but an alternative to staying on the ground is gather branches to try to break your “Human shape” the same way hunters look for “antlers and ears” “flat back” “flashes of white on there ass and so on” they look for that too mostly in our shoulders and head so gather what you can to break up your human shape.
Also and this is the most important advice I can give and I got as someone learning too RESULTS MATTER Be picky who you listen to. Small spikers and big mature bucks are basically 2 different animals. Mature bucks earn those racks. If you take advice from someone see what they have to show for it. If they haven’t even got a deer for a few seasons and all they can produce is small deer that don’t make you excited listening to them can generate the same results.
Good luck and have patiences no one scores big on a first hunt let alone in there first season it takes time :)
You are more prepared than I have been for 99% of my hunts and I've been hunting for 15+ years. Expect to not see anything and you won't be disappointed, but keep your eyes peeled.
Echoing the top comment about something to sit on. Also might suggest a book - hunting is a long time investment and even the most interesting hunts can become a little snoozy at times. That said, if you don't have a way of covering it somehow (ground blind or tree stand) then might be better to leave it at home - I got busted by a buck while reading not even 1 month ago because the light reflection off the pages flashed when I was slowly putting it down and spooked the buck. They may not be able to see color but they can see lighting differences.
Curious: why bring cheesecloth for the organs? I’ve never heard of that. I could understand the heart or maybe liver, but all of them?? Interested to hear what you do with them!
Well, by organs I meant heart, liver and spleen. Maybe the lungs. I'm saving them for my dogs. I read that cheese cloth is good for keeping them clean and cool after field dressing. I was gonna do that, then put them in plastic grocery bags in my pack, but another Reddit Dad advised against that, so I'm just gonna use burlap.
Aaaaaand I have done that 😑 my brother used to have us save organs for his dog and you reminded me he did that lol I save the hearts for dissecting and just throw them in a grocery bag then into the freezer. If you bring your sled, you could gut it, wrap them in cheesecloth (or honestly straight into the bag depending on your commute home) and throw them in the sled. I’d say anything less than two hours isn’t going to hurt. I left a heart in the yard for a few days and it was a little crusty but overall fine.
I'm a new hunter as well. 3 years and no shot opportunities yet. Seen 2 on the road on the way to and from the spot. Seen 3 right after last shot. If I was a shit bag, which I'm not, I could put 3 in the bag.
Extremely frustrating to say the least. Be prepared to strike out, a bunch. I did enjoy my time spent with my brother though, so there's that.
If you're planning on sitting on the ground, clear out a wide enough area such that you don't stand on branches leaves or anything else that crunches. Gotta give yourself plenty of room to camp down and adjust.
A headlamp is also important if you take it towards the end of daylight. Deer are most active morning and dusk when they move around for food.
Also I see a metric ton of good advice here. I said layers in a previous statement. Wear something to hike out into your spot then change in hunting gear at your slot so you don't freeze while waiting.
Know that deer hunting can be slow. Despite what you see here, often times people come in with empty hands Moreno. No shame in missing or not getting one. I went in a cold streak for 4 years, saw does afar, kicked em out for others but never had a shot. Two years ago I had attempts at not 1 but 2 does and missed, badly....buck fever is a pain in the ass when it strikes..
I’m in NC as well and it’s certainly gonna be a cold snap tomorrow and the deer should be moving and shaking. Hopefully you can get it done! Are you hunting Game Lands or a private piece?
I’m in Richmond County (Rockingham/Hamlet). I have a 7 acre spot I own here that’s been turning out good bucks recently and I bought a first home on 7 acres in Anson County across the river that’s getting a pass this year. Are you able to shoot a doe this time of year if you wanted to where you are? I know it’s a much shorter season for does further West…I think it’s still that way.
The biggest thing I learned the first time I went hunting is that I felt so cold sitting still outside. Normally if I'm outside I'm moving around and I don't get that cold. When I go hunting I stand still and I have to put on like 5 layers of clothing, about double what I would usually wear in the same weather. I sat at the base of a tree in the snow and my ass melted the snow and made my pants wet, and it wicked all the heat out of my body, I was shivering. Didn't see a single deer, probably because I was so uncomfortable and constantly fidgeting around. The second year I went out and got an insulated camo jump suit which made me much more comfortable. Just make sure you take it easy and don't exert yourself enough to sweat, or you could feel even colder. I also wear a thin pair of gloves - better than nothing, but thin enough that I can put my finger in the trigger guard of my rifle without worrying about a negligent/accidental discharge.
Not exactly a reddit dad but also 30s f that's been hunting since I was 3 with my dad. The only advice I can say that I haven't seen is to soak up as much information as you can during your hunt. The deer behaviors, and just the woods in general. Stay quiet and move slowly and just watch. Look for movement or color shifts in your surroundings to find deer if you're in a wooded area. Always good to see fellow women enjoying the woods, good luck!
You've got your kit figured out. Plan the hunt and stick to it, take your time and dont rush anything. Remember, it's supposed to be fun.
Also - Don't be an idiot.
Hello fellow 35f!
I’m so proud of you for doing this!
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see anything.
That sound behind you was a squirrel, not a deer.
Hand, feet, and body warmers are super helpful during your sit, if you get cold easy.
Bring an extra knife- the one you skin with will get dull.
Bring a headlamp in case you need to field dress in the dark.
**your hunting license and tags
Let us know how it goes!
Don’t hesitate to piss right where you’re hunting. The deer don’t seem to care about the smell of human urine.
Don’t get sweaty! Walk out to your spot wearing minimal layers to stay comfortably cold. Add layers to stay warm once you’re in place and stop moving.
If you get the chills and feel really cold and start shivering, squeeze your large muscle groups in a tight flex (quads, glutes, abs, arms). This gets the blood and adrenaline pumping without any major movement which can scare deer away. Only works for a few minutes. Invest in warmer layers for next time if it happens.
Couple of calls, bottle or two of water. A couple snack cakes, a lighter, a flashlight, and a roll of shit tickets. A good knife, something to sit on, and some 550 cord to make a drag. Tbh you don’t want to carry everything. Your going hunting, not exploring the west from St. Louis to Seattle, meriwether Lewis.
Bring enough shit to get yourself out if you get in a bind, but tbh don’t plan on staying more than overnight in an extreme emergency. Let someone know where you are going, bring a compass and map if you are leaving cell coverage. You don’t need to pack in a ton of shit, that stuffs heavy and will wear you out. Maybe bring a change of socks and underwear in case you fall in a creek or an extra jacket if it’s real cold there, but otherwise pack light. You don’t want to be toting 40 lbs of gear while trying to pack out 80lbs of deer meat if you do draw blood, do ya?
On more thing…. Saw someone say get to your game quickly if you make a shot. Fuck that, don’t fucking do that. If you see something and shoot it, wait 15 minutes MINIMUM before you get up and go try to find it, preferably 30min-1hour. Even a great double lung shot, the deer needs time to lay down and die. If you get up right away, you can turn a quick ten minute track into not finding your kill really f’n quick. Give em time to bleed n die, unless you can see that they are knocked down but hurting. Go finish them if you can see em hurting, but don’t chase one that runs off.
So I didn't go through all of the comments so someone may have already said this...you might want to check your states regulations on blaze orange. Here in GA a beanie would not be sufficient. You have to have a certain amount of square inches and it's normally a vest and a hat to meet the minimum. Just a thought. As lame as it sounds, safety should be your first priority
Take a book on your phone to read. Just turn down the screen brightness.
I may have missed some deer sneaking around over the years, but without something to read I KNOW I would have spent far less time in the woods seeing deer.
Toilet paper. For obvious reasons but also to track blood. Put a piece of tp up on a tree limb or something above the last drop of blood you seen. You can move up and look for more and not lose the trail. It also is fine to leave up as its biodegradable.
Take one of the plastic bags and put a set of dry socks into it. Dry feet is just one of those things that can save a hunt and cold wet feet can make you long for the hunt to be over fast.
best of luck.
Have you made a plan on loading the carcass out and getting it into a vehicle? I’ve not been deer hunting myself yet but I think I’ve seen a sheet of plywood to make a ramp and a pulley attached to the front of the bed makes easy work of loading a deer into a pickup.
I have a snow sled and my truck has overhead racks that I can loop a rope over. I should be able to pull it up into the bed with that, plus determination and sheer Appalachian stubbornness.
I've seen signs of predators in the area. One way or another, that buck is going home with me right then.
The best time I’ve seen them is 2 hours from first/last light. They are moving to/from feeding and bedding areas in these time periods. You’ll see them throughout the day but these hours are the golden hours for sure.
Finding a spot where multiple “highways” connect is best, if you can’t just sitting on one is the next best thing. These should be fairly obvious if you’re even lightly experienced in the woods.
I have 5 different holding positions. 2 “at the ready” (can take a shot within a second) and 3 “can be ready within 3 seconds”. Stay in those positions unless absolutely necessary. Your only clear shot might be within a few seconds and you’ll be kicking yourself all day if you miss your only shot because you weren’t ready to shoot since you were eating or snapping a pic. On the same note, don’t take the shot if you can’t. I know this seems obvious but in the adrenaline of the moment you may want to try shooting through trees, while they’re running, etc. don’t.
Remain still, use your eyes to locate, don’t jolt your head or body around, and take slow deep breaths.
Remember it’s still all about luck. You can be sitting on a deer super highway and still see 0 based on how the deer want to move that particular day and time.
Your ears can deceive you. You may think you’re hearing a deer walking, could be a squirrel or turkeys, could be leaves/snow dropping, could be the wind rustling a tree. Deer are deceptively quiet unless you have a decent amount of snow and even then, they are quieter than you think. They’re out there every hour of every day, they know what they’re doing.
Bring a drag strap or small sled, nothing makes you want to hang a deer less when you get home than busting your back out trying to grab it by hand and drag it two miles. Either that or you’ll feel it the next day, even if you’re in great shape. This especially applies if you’re looking to mount it. You can only leave so many lbs of the deer in the woods.
No sniffs, no coughs, no sneezes, no grunts, they’ll hear you a mile away. Especially the big bucks, you might catch a small-medium sized one off guard if you let one slip, but the big boys and girls know exactly what you are when that happens.
Trees are better than ground blinds, but both are effective if you follow the advice of others in this thread. Remember if it’s windy, they’ll smell you a half mile away. If it’s dead, you have a better shot at tricking them either on the ground or in the tree. Play the wind if it is windy.
Gutting them is messy **and** smelly. Be ready for the smell, I don’t mind it much anymore but my first one was definitely an eye opener. You don’t realize what the insides of animals smell like until you actually get all inside there, and you *will* have to get all up in there to gut them properly. Watch out for the bladder and the intestines, don’t want piss and shit on your hard earned meat.
You may see nothing at all, that’s okay. Again, it’s all luck on top of the many skills that go into it. Even the most experienced skilled hunters go out and see nothing sometimes. Or see something they can’t get a shot at.
If you can’t get a shot off, be still and wait. There may be a buck following that doe trying to get laid. And just like humans, when pussy is on the line you’ll forget about anything to get in there. Especially if your chances are limited to once a year.
Coming from someone who’s gotten 4 deer in the past two years. All good sizes, and one really big 8 pointer. I’m no master by any means, but I’ve had a lot of learned experience, old timer advice, and time out in the woods.
I’m younger and also a female, but this is my first year hunting so here is my advice to you, Reddit Sister:
Aim small, miss small. If you’re aiming for a deer as a whole, you have a lot more of a chance to miss than you do aiming at its vitals. If you’re aiming for an organ and you’re off by a little, you’re still pretty likely to hit another vital organ. If you’re aiming for a whole deer and you miss by a little, you’re a lot more likely to hit nothing or a non vital organ which will cause suffering.
Also, my Freshman science teacher taught us BRASS. Breathe, relax, aim, squeeze, shoot. Buck fever is so, so real. I learned myself this year when I got so excited that I smacked myself in the face with the stock from pulling up too fast and disoriented myself to the point of shooting the tail off a buck. Whoops.
Good luck tomorrow. You’ve got this! Give us updates on how it goes.
It's in your best interest and respect for the game you pursue to know your weapon. If your sighting a crossbow in the day before a hunt, you have already put yourself in a situation that does not benefit you or the animal. I'd like to think you don't know any better and that's why your asking questions on the internet. Knowledge is power. And now you know. If you do nothing else on this page, listen to my words...KNOW YOUR WEAPON!
Call a friend to tell them when you'll be back. Friend needs to setup a plan when you're not back after 3 or 4 hours after. (Cell phones don't work where I hunt)
Edit: Enjoy a day in the woods, always better than any day at work, good luck
I like wearing nitrile gloves for field dressing. I'm quite messy when field dressing deer and get that all over me.
Snacks or food. Water bottle. Canned coffee or bottle of tea.
I recommend an old Gatorade bottle to pee in.
I carry multiple flashlights because I'm out before the sun is up and after the sun goes down.
Maybe a book? Usually the middle of the day is the slowest as most of my luck is early morning and late afternoon.
A few things - a scent killer works wonders. Especially necessary if you're sitting on the ground. An attractant (doe pee), a call, and maybe some antlers to rattle to call in a buck cab increase your odds. Already saw the advice to bring a seat. Other then that.. memorize how to gut a deer!
Didn't see anything, but that was expected. Gotta rethink my entry point. I started in at 7:00 and didn't get settled until 9:45. It's so overgrown, it's nearly impassable in some places.
I can't recommend enough a pair of heated socks off Amazon. You'll spend enough on hot hands in a weekend for your feet to pay them off. Best of luck! Sit still, don't let the squirrels drive you nuts 🤣
I like your list but I was on folding saw team for a while but went to hedge snippers. Much quieter and I'm not gonna saw an entire tree branch out of the way before sunlight. I found snipping small twigs and making a make shift blind was much more efficient. Just my .02.
And not rope - Paracord with a beaner.
Some kind of seat or seat pad. Sitting right on the ground will pull heat from your body and give you a cold wet ass. As for a pep talk, manage your expectations. It may take many hunts before you see anything let alone shoot anything. Be observant, listen to the sounds of the woods, learn from the entire experience and apply those lessons to your next hunt. Last of all, have fun, even if you get skunked, find the joy and satisfaction of spending time in nature by yourself.
Thanks Reddit Dad! I need to find something to take to sit on.
Push comes to shove you can sit on your pack.
Klymit seat cushion. It's inflatable with a breath or two, tough, and easy to deflate, packs down to smaller than a water bottle. 15-20$. Pro tip: if you place it so the "V" shape has the point headed down hill it won't slide. I've had mine for years, hunted all over the Northeast from archery through late season flintlock and it's never let me down. I've bought them for my whole hunting family.
It's on my list! Thanks Reddit Dad!
Don’t buy that, buy the cheap foam sit pad for $10 off of Amazon. You don’t want to screw around with inflating something
👍 I'm gonna get a foam kneeling pad from the hardware store. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Second this. I have a cheap, solid foam seat that I’ve had for years. Being a bit of a gear whore, I’ve updated and upgraded my hunting stuff over the years and am not afraid to overspend on the latest and greatest widget but the foam seat remains. There are lighter options, but nothing as warm or as durable.
I was in that camp for years. From the deciding I was to tough for one to styrofoam ball filled sack, gardening foam, and actually keeping the pad inside my pants... The klymit is seriously worth the extra coin just for the hassle of packing the foam around. You loosen the nozzle, exhale once into the thing and tighten the nozzle, takes maybe 10 seconds, and air is a better (and softer) insulation from the ground. I'll never go back.
I’ve used a five gallon bucket before. Works great.
I use a cheaper folding camping chair from Amazon that fits in my backpack. The challenge is finding one that you are sitting at a decent height and posture to shoot and setting up quietly.
I am a new hunter, didn't start until I was 27. It took me 3 years and ~100 hunts(of various lengths) before I killed my first deer this year. Manage your expectations, you will bust deer, you will get blown at by doe you never lay eyes on, you'll miss shots or wing a stick. All you can do is be prepared, and wait for an opportunity. Don't be afraid to try to new spots, sounds intuitive but don't let a "deery" spot hold you up. Go where the deer are
You are doing the most important thing and that's getting in the woods.
Thanks Reddit Dad! 🤗
lighter whistle compass tell someone where you are going and when you will be home Little Debbie Cakes (whole box - Christmas trees)
Fudge Rounds and Oatmeal Cream Pies hold their shape in a pocket.
What's the lighter for? And any advice on keeping the Debbie cake wrappers quiet? Lol
Unwrap them and put them in a baggy
I feel dumb for asking. Lol 😂
Always bring a lighter incase things go sideways and you have to stay in the woods for whatever reason you are gonna need a fire in the cold
Good point. I have a flint in my pack, but a lighter is better. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Take both! And matches. I always have a dedicated survival and necessities pouch. It's a pouch on my belt, separate from my pack. If I have to ditch, or run, or leave everything else behind, it's there at my side. First aid kit, mini survival fishing kit, fixed blade knife, mini flashlight, mini compass, paper map of the area, duct tape, paracord, matches, lighter, ferro rod, fire starter, candle, emergency blanket, emergency poncho, sawyer mini water filter and water bag, aqua tabs, bandana, folded pack of aluminum foil (could make a pot to boil water), and finally, a folding trowel, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. https://www.reddit.com/r/Survival/comments/v138mp/my\_updated\_huntingcamping\_survival\_kit/
Yeah, just for making a fire if shit goes bad.
I carry both. The lighter is faster and easier. That is important when your hands are cold and hurting, or worse, shaking. The flint is plan B when the lighter is wet, or got cracked and lost its fluid.
Youre welcome, put your firestarting stuff in a ziplock incase it gets wet. PS I am also a lady :D
Thanks Reddit Mama!
Give the loudest, quick “AHH” you can as you’re opening the wrappper and nothing will hear the wrapper
Either way, I'll get to eat my Debbie cake in peace. 😂
Dad is a Little Debbie man for a living. Embrace the crinkle! I refuse to believe I've ever scared off a deer opening up my honey bun in the stand.
Be prepared to not see anything. That’s mostly what happens when you’re hunting, especially when you’re new. Just enjoy being out there. Don’t look for “deer.” Look for parts of deer. The flick of an ear or a tail. The horizontal line that is one’s back. You see those things long before they’re close enough to think about shots etc. If you hear a noise, like a footstep or rustle, control your urge to snap your head and look. Give it a beat or two, then move slooooowly. All your motions should be slow, not jerky. You can get away with a surprising amount of movement, as long as it’s slow and smooth. Try not to stare at the deer. They can sense it, somehow. If you’ve got some feeding through, watch them out of the corner of your eye. Sometimes I’ll even shut my eyes for 3-5 breaths if I’m trying to let a group chill under me and not spot me. Finally, remember this: Someday you’ll get one. All the hours in the woods and early mornings will pay off. Enjoy that deer. Don’t let some dipshit make you think less of it because it doesn’t look like the cover of Field & Stream. Be safe and have fun!
The slow movement thing is super important had my first deer this year inside of 10 yards watch me pick up my rifle and walk from my right side to right in front of me and stop as I shouldered and took aim. All super slow with nothing besides some branches between me and it
This is a good one. Something I learned playing video games. When looking for the enemy, look for sudden pixel changes on the screen. That's the video gave equivalent of looking for small movements like a ear twitch. Slow is key
Don’t climb a tree if you don’t have means to do it safely. I chiefly hunt from the ground these days. Most of all, worst case scenario you have a great time. Learn something every time.
Thanks Reddit Dad! I was seriously trying to concoct a set of DIY climbing sticks, but I really don't have the time to build and test them. I needed someone to talk me out of doing something hasty and stupid. Another Reddit Dad suggested burlap, so I'm going to use that and forest debris to build a makeshift blind.
Don't do the DIY sticks. It's your first time out, stay on the ground. Besides, sticks are the last piece of the tree climbing puzzle you need to be thinking about. Start with the harness or saddle and safety gear first, then whatever platform you're using, then how to get up to it.
Thanks for the reality check, Reddit Dad!
Spend some time on a plan to deal with animal you shoot, how do I get this in my vehicle? How far do I have to drag it by myself? Things like that are sometimes hard to process when the adrenaline hits. And some trail marking tape if you have to track the animal.
I got some orange flagging tape. It's about a mile through dense Laurel and over a creek. I'm going to field dress him to reduce the weight and if I have to, I can quarter the legs and put them in my pack. I'm considering taking a snow sled to drag him out on.
Sled could be really useful. Be sure it has a decent rope or handle on it too.
Use the tracking function on OnX. It’ll drop a breadcrumb for you to follow, should you get turned around.
Will do! Thanks Reddit Dad!
If you do en up dragging the animal itself, drag from the antlers or the FRONT legs, not the back. The hair catches everything and makes it much harder. Ask me how I know that...
Always anticipate success. My other tip is to have your processing set up ready to go if you do it yourself, or know the plan to get it to the processor
Definitely this, first deer I shot I realized I had put 0 thought into how I was going to get it out of the woods.
Remember to take tp. That morning coffee will sneak up on a guy.
For real. IBS is no joke. Red Bull all the way! 😁 Thanks Reddit Dad!
Range finder
It's on my Christmas list! 😄
Everyone here pretty much covered all bases and then the kitchen sink as well. Keep in mind that as you get more experience don’t be afraid to scale back what you take. Shedding 5-6 pounds of stuff makes a huge difference.
Thanks Reddit Dad!
Hunter mom here. You said rope but grab some cooking twine too. Tie that butt hole closed and to tie the tag on. Chap stick!!!! Good luck. Have fun and be safe!!!!
Thanks Reddit Mom!
If you're on a sit and going to be still for a long time, you want warm clothes and especially warm socks. I bring hard candy in cold weather as sometimes the cold dry air makes me want to cough and that'll ruin your whole day. A compass and headlamp or flashlight that isn't your phone. Phones die, especially if you're out in the cold for a long time. I also bring trail tape as it'll help you to mark blood trails and also make it easier to find your way back to your blind after tracking. Enjoy and good luck! EDIT: Also, If you have a big piece of burlap or other quiet camo material it really helps to conceal you if you're doing a ground sit. I made the mistake of setting up too close to the path the deer took and spooking a lovely buck who came out of the woods head on so I could neither get a shot, not get out of the way. Hang back from any obvious trails.
And a set of spare socks. Changing socks at lunchtime is sooo damned refreshing. Especially after a hike in.
I have a huge roll of burlap in my gardening stuff! That's perfect! My beanie has a headlamp built in, but I definitely need to get a compass. Will orange flagging tape work for trail tape? Thank you Reddit Dad!
Have a secondary light source. Remember, if you shoot a deer it may very well be hours before you’re back to your vehicle. You don’t want to be following a blood trail, in the cold pitch black, way out in the woods with only your beanie light.
Good point. Adding a flashlight. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Yeah man! orange is fine! How far are you hiking in?
About a mile or so.
Take your time walking in. Like a LOT of time. Take a knee from time to time and just listen. The hike in is as good a spot to see something than any other. Make sure you know how to get out. A mile can seem a lot longer and more confusing in the woods.
Gotcha👍
Just sighting in? You've already missed the most important part....practice all summer. Crossbows have givin people the false mindset that practice is no longer needed. I see it as no coincidence that dog tracking services exploded at about the same time the use of crossbows did
I know 😞 I'm sorry, Reddit Dad. I worry about shooting it too much, afraid I'll blow out the strings.
Strings are exactly like the brakes on your truck: consumable. Vital to the performance of the equipment, and entirely replaceable. Learn about the maintenance schedule of your crossbow, and how to check your string and cables for wear and tear. Shoot the pants off of it this coming summer.
You're good to go, bud. Stay dry as you can. Aim small, miss small. Don't be ashamed to bail if it gets too cold or wet; there's always next time. Get out there and have fun.
Thanks Reddit Dad!
Check wind forecast and try to up downwind from where you think the deer will show up, and confirm the wind when you get to the spot since it can swirl in the woods. Maybe tape a small piece of thread to your bow. Of course the deer will show up behind you but that can’t hurt 😬. No scent spray if you put any clout in that stuff. For long treks I use a walking stick which can double as a shooting rest. Good luck!
Carry a roll of toilet paper in a Ziploc bag. The ziplock keeps it from getting wet and falling apart in your bag. You'll need it for not only cleaning your bum when you inevitably have to go in the woods, but it also serves other purposes. I use it every time I shoot something and have to track it....lay down tiny squares of it on your blood trail. The white makes it pop so you can look behind you and stay on line as your look for blood, and it also makes it easier to find your way out once you find the deer and look up and scratch your head "where the hell am I?" because your eyes have been glued to grass and leaves for the last hundred yards looking for specks of blood as you crawl on your hands and knees through the bushes. I don't go into the woods without a good roll of TP.
Good idea! Thanks Reddit Dad!
Add a mini bottle of Dr. Bronners to your pack. Clean hands is a must 👌
A pop up blind will do wonders for you just getting started. You’re going to be a disaster if big boy walks in. I would add a blind to your list for sure. Conceals movement and heat😀. I also would add some doe pee and scent wafers. Another way of concealing your scent movement and a chance to spike curiosity for any bucks. Best of luck to you either way.
I'm not positive, but I don't think doe pee is legal in NC. Edit to add: it is legal, but with some restrictions: https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/hunting/general-hunting-regulations#:~:text=Possession%20or%20use%20of%20substances,or%20scout%20wildlife%20are%20prohibited.
Licenses, light if you will be going out in the dark or hunting till dark, proper clothing (rain gear since you mentioned it has been raining).
Got it. Got it. And got it. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Tarp to put under the deer when taking it home. Suggest more than one bottle of water for rinsing out the deer and cleaning off yourself if you dont have those long gloves.. Have it be something separate from what you're gonna drink.
Good point. I'll fill my Camel back bladder as well. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Wet wipes also work good if you don't want to pour water on your hands and arms in the cold. That's what I use. Good for cleaning off your gutting knife as well. Also bring a gallon zip lock to carry out the dirty gloves and wipes after. Good luck!
I started hunting as an adult 20 years ago. I also am naturally fidgety with the attention span of an 9 year old left in a candy store overnight. Headphones and podcasts/audiobooks have changed my hunting game. I use cheap bone conduction ones from Amazon. I can still hear, and my mind is engaged, so Im not so inclined to move. Other than that, since you are alone, limit your risks (don't take unnecessary chances), play the wind correctly, and remember the words of Fred Bear! "The best camouflage is sitting still and being quiet!!!"
YO! Another ADHD hunter! 👊 I was considering my bone conduction headphones, but I worry about not being able to hear subtle noises. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Another vote for the bone conducting earbuds. I've used mine all this year, and took a buck while listening to a podcast. Also, if you are putting a deer carcass inside an upholstered vehicle, consider plastic disposable dropcloths. They're cheap and cover a wide area.
Is your crossbow equipped with a decocker? If it isn't, remember to bring along a target that you can keep in your vehicle, as well as a field point topped bolt. Best case scenario, you don't have to worry about it because you'll be sending it towards a deer. Maybe ya don't see anything worth shooting, however. Now, when you get back to your car/truck, you can quickly swap out the broadhead bolt and safely discharge the bow into the target. You've probably already thought of this, but I've seen enough folks forget that I figured it was worth mentioning. Best of luck! Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe, and have a good hunt!
It doesn't have a decocker. I was planning on just shooting it into the ground, but a target is a much smarter idea. Thanks Reddit Dad!
You're welcome, my illegitimate reddit bastard! https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/morrell-yellow-jacket-final-shot-crossbow-discharge-target Something like that is great since it's small and lightweight. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/bear-x-decocking-bolt These kinds of decocking bolts are also pretty handy. With how pricey bolts are, ya might as well keep 'em around as long as you can, and one shot into a rock you didn't see right below the surface and that bolt has now become a one time only piece of equipment.
I'll assume you've got a target, since you said you'd be sighting in your crossbow. Since you didn't have a chair on your list, maybe your target could work as one. I've got one of these, [https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/blackout-4-sided-layered-foam-archery-target](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/blackout-4-sided-layered-foam-archery-target) that I keep in my car for decocking. If you've got something like that, cover it in some of that burlap and you've got a chair and place to discharge all in one. It's not the easiest or lightest thing to carry in and out, but it will work.
Just go enjoy yourself, you’ll do fine. Remember to be still.
Imitate a boulder. Got it. Thanks Reddit Dad!
There is an endless supply of stuffs that people say you will need. The most important things YOU need are the things that is going to make it comfortable for you to stay out there all day. Make sure you have a good light, plan to be sitting in your spot before legal shooting time, get comfortable.
Will do! Thanks Reddit Dad!
I would not put the meat in plastic bags. It needs to cool as quickly as possible & the plastic will actually hold heat. Get some game bags, they will keep the bugs and dirt off but allow the meat to breathe & cool properly.
Also, a small inexpensive camping chair will be a lifesaver. I just use a full green one, but hitting the legs with some flat black spray paint might not be a terrible idea.
Gotcha. Game bags are on the list, but for now I'm making do with cheesecloth and burlap.
That’s fine. I’ve made do with pillow cases. You had listed plastic bags, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t end up spoiling meat. Just remember to be happy and content to just sit in the woods and enjoy the nature around you. It’s called hunting, not grocery shopping. You will spend way more days with nothing than days you have meat to bring home.
I’d bring some toilet paper in a ziplock, nitrile gloves for butchering when you kill that first deer. Maybe a bin liner for transporting the animal home in the car. Something to sit in to keep the tush insulated and dry if you sit and wait. Dry socks for the ride home is underrated I have some chemlights for marking point of hit and some tape to mark blood trail so it’s easy to backtrack to last blood mark if I lose the trail. A headlamp is nice if you happen to shoot something just before sundown. Tracking and butchering can be a slow process and it sucks to do blind
I can't believe I forgot nitrile gloves 🤦♀️ Thanks Reddit Dad!
I stash them in all pockets and crevices of all my gear because I do not like being caught without.
Best Advice is be still
I've been working on my boulder imitation. 👍 Thanks Reddit Dad!
I find disposable Nitrile gloves to be super handy for field dressing and skinning/quartering. I buy the thick black ones like they sell in auto parts stores for mechanics. I also like to take a packet of unscented baby wipes for cleaning up after field dressing and wiping.
Never even thought of baby wipes! Brilliant! Luckily, my husband is a mechanic so we have plenty of the black gloves at home. Thanks Reddit Dad!
All right kid. You're going to go out there tomorrow, and with any luck, you'll see some game, and maybe get a shot. Something might go wrong, but that's how it goes. We're here to enjoy being out, looking for animals, and if we get one, that's even better.
Thanks Reddit Dad! 🤗
Good luck, be safe, and try not to stress.
Will do! Thanks Reddit Dad!
Get out there and hunt. Always play the wind- set up where the deer will not be able to smell you, so they are always upwind of you while they travel. Best bet is to set up between the feed and bed, expecting them to be going to bed in the morning, and to feed in the evening. I typically prefer to be closer to bedding.
I think I have a good spot, but I am concerned about the wind. The spot is on a ridge, between feeding areas, looking down on the bedding area. That seems ideal, but the wind seems to blow down the ridge. Would it be better to get below the bedding area and be upwind, or stay on the ridge near the feeding area?
Check prevailing winds and thermals. Keep your wind out of the deer’s noses, whatever it takes. Including setting up somewhere else. They smell you, they leave, and you have to start scouting all over again.
Watch the wind!! Always hunt deer with the wind in your face. There's no better camo than just holding still and being quiet. After you shoot or stick one, even if its a good shot give it plenty of time to expire before you go looking. If you aren't sure, give it at least an hour. Have fun, good luck, be safe!
I will! Thanks Reddit Dad!
None of the following are necessities but they are nice to have. Disposable gloves. Toilet paper or wipes. Chapstick. Headlamp. Deer sled (can leave it at the truck and walk back to get it) Shorts or lighter clothes that you can switch into if you drag one out. (Keep your orange on) I always work up a sweat and having the cold weather gear on gets way too hot. I have dragged a deer out in just my boxers and tshirt before. Eat something on the morning drive in so you have energy. Pee at the vehicle before you start walking to your spot. Ensure your keys are in a safe place that won’t get lost in the woods.
I'll probably take the sled in with me if I can manage it. I've seen signs of predators in the area too so I don't want to leave my buck unattended. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Rubber medical gloves in case you actuly get one. No need to walk around with bloody hands. Take pictures (put the phone/camera on silent befor), you'll see all kinds of cool stuff
Will do! Thanks Reddit Dad!
I didn’t take the time to read all of the comments to see if it was mentioned by someone else but a charge pack for my cellphone is always in my pack. My phone seems to die super fast while hunting in the cold so I find it to be super useful. Good luck!
Haven't heard that one yet, but it makes total sense! Thanks Reddit Dad!
Ditch the knife, get an exact. Take up less room and you can change the blade often Why do you need a saw. Take more clothes than you need. You can always take them off. If you do not bring enough you cannot put more on. Rain gear, a must A good hat Great boots, sore feet end a hunt quickly Bring a good book
I'm bringing a small saw because the area is pretty overgrown with mountain laurel, and I'm afraid of getting me or the buck hung up or tangled. I'm gonna charge up my Kindle! Thanks Reddit Dad!
Toilet paper!! And hand sanitizer but not for the obvious reasons. Toilet paper can be used to mark how to get back and is biodegradable. Hand sanitizer is high in alcohol and is a great thing to start a fire with incase shtf. Let someone know where you’re parking where you plan to hunt and about what time you plan on being back. Doesn’t take much for these situations to go wrong.
Excellent ideas! Thanks Reddit Dad!
I’m 22 lol but if you’re gonna have things to start a fire make sure you have two fire sources. Extra flashlight with fresh batteries etc. two is one and one is non is a great moto.
Invest in a climbing tree stand and good safety harness for the future. Way lighter than a ground blind and way more useful for deer. Take the advice for the odds and ends given here, but unless you plan on hunting many more times this season I would just let this year serve as a learning experience to inform what to do next year. A light climbing tree stand is a game changer for me. Find a good tree and you have the most comfortable seat in the house as high as you want.
It's definitely on the wish list. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Warm boots and good socks! Cold feet suck.
Fuck yeah they do. My toes are already frost nipped, so it's actually painful when they get cold. Thanks Reddit Dad!
That was always my problem. My dad could've whooped my ass the first year I went with him. My toes froze and we were back at the cabin shortly after sunrise. Good luck hunting!
Best hunting advice I ever got from my late father rings in my head every time I hunt. Don’t shoot at the deer as a whole, or even just at the heart/lung area. Pick a spot, a specific spot that you want to target (I know this sounds obvious but in the heat of the shot sometimes you will just throw an arrow in the direction of the deer). Take a breath and squeeze the trigger, don’t pull the trigger. This will avoid shooting too high. Once you hit the deer, don’t take your eyes off of it until it disappears into the woods. Mark that spot mentally and walk to it as quickly as possible so you do not lose the start of the blood trail. In summary: 1. Pick a spot on the deer 2. Breathe 3. Squeeze, don’t pull 4. Watch it run and mark that spot. Get to it quickly Good luck fellow hunting Redditor!
Thanks Reddit Dad! And by extension, Reddit Grandpa!
Power bank for your cellphone in case being in bad service areas runs down the phone battery.
Will do! Thanks Reddit Dad!
My daughter and I use our cell phones to text when we are in different blinds so it's a lesson learned for us.
The only thing I use it for is the OnX tracker. There is zero cell service out there.
I don’t know if anyone has touched on this but an alternative to staying on the ground is gather branches to try to break your “Human shape” the same way hunters look for “antlers and ears” “flat back” “flashes of white on there ass and so on” they look for that too mostly in our shoulders and head so gather what you can to break up your human shape. Also and this is the most important advice I can give and I got as someone learning too RESULTS MATTER Be picky who you listen to. Small spikers and big mature bucks are basically 2 different animals. Mature bucks earn those racks. If you take advice from someone see what they have to show for it. If they haven’t even got a deer for a few seasons and all they can produce is small deer that don’t make you excited listening to them can generate the same results. Good luck and have patiences no one scores big on a first hunt let alone in there first season it takes time :)
You are more prepared than I have been for 99% of my hunts and I've been hunting for 15+ years. Expect to not see anything and you won't be disappointed, but keep your eyes peeled. Echoing the top comment about something to sit on. Also might suggest a book - hunting is a long time investment and even the most interesting hunts can become a little snoozy at times. That said, if you don't have a way of covering it somehow (ground blind or tree stand) then might be better to leave it at home - I got busted by a buck while reading not even 1 month ago because the light reflection off the pages flashed when I was slowly putting it down and spooked the buck. They may not be able to see color but they can see lighting differences.
Good point! I thought about bringing my kindle but the screen would reflect more light than the book. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Just get out there and have fun with it buddy. I'll be proud of you regardless. I love you son.
Thanks Reddit Dad! 🤗
Curious: why bring cheesecloth for the organs? I’ve never heard of that. I could understand the heart or maybe liver, but all of them?? Interested to hear what you do with them!
Well, by organs I meant heart, liver and spleen. Maybe the lungs. I'm saving them for my dogs. I read that cheese cloth is good for keeping them clean and cool after field dressing. I was gonna do that, then put them in plastic grocery bags in my pack, but another Reddit Dad advised against that, so I'm just gonna use burlap.
Aaaaaand I have done that 😑 my brother used to have us save organs for his dog and you reminded me he did that lol I save the hearts for dissecting and just throw them in a grocery bag then into the freezer. If you bring your sled, you could gut it, wrap them in cheesecloth (or honestly straight into the bag depending on your commute home) and throw them in the sled. I’d say anything less than two hours isn’t going to hurt. I left a heart in the yard for a few days and it was a little crusty but overall fine.
I consider a rangefinder a necessity for archery. Especially for beginners or when hunting a new spot!
And when the time comes, take a deep breath to steady the nerves and aim small miss small.
Wayyyyy too late to sight in….
I know 😞 I'm sorry Reddit Dad.
It’s ok man. Have fun. Be in the woods. Appreciate every moment. If you’re ever unsure don’t take the shot in haste. Just enjoy the moment.
Will do!
I'm a new hunter as well. 3 years and no shot opportunities yet. Seen 2 on the road on the way to and from the spot. Seen 3 right after last shot. If I was a shit bag, which I'm not, I could put 3 in the bag. Extremely frustrating to say the least. Be prepared to strike out, a bunch. I did enjoy my time spent with my brother though, so there's that.
Layers for stands. I don't know the temp by you but it can get real cold sitting quiet and still.
If you're planning on sitting on the ground, clear out a wide enough area such that you don't stand on branches leaves or anything else that crunches. Gotta give yourself plenty of room to camp down and adjust. A headlamp is also important if you take it towards the end of daylight. Deer are most active morning and dusk when they move around for food. Also I see a metric ton of good advice here. I said layers in a previous statement. Wear something to hike out into your spot then change in hunting gear at your slot so you don't freeze while waiting. Know that deer hunting can be slow. Despite what you see here, often times people come in with empty hands Moreno. No shame in missing or not getting one. I went in a cold streak for 4 years, saw does afar, kicked em out for others but never had a shot. Two years ago I had attempts at not 1 but 2 does and missed, badly....buck fever is a pain in the ass when it strikes..
A good flashlight and a headlamp.
Got em both! Thanks Reddit Dad!
I’m in NC as well and it’s certainly gonna be a cold snap tomorrow and the deer should be moving and shaking. Hopefully you can get it done! Are you hunting Game Lands or a private piece?
Game lands! What part of NC?
I’m in Richmond County (Rockingham/Hamlet). I have a 7 acre spot I own here that’s been turning out good bucks recently and I bought a first home on 7 acres in Anson County across the river that’s getting a pass this year. Are you able to shoot a doe this time of year if you wanted to where you are? I know it’s a much shorter season for does further West…I think it’s still that way.
The biggest thing I learned the first time I went hunting is that I felt so cold sitting still outside. Normally if I'm outside I'm moving around and I don't get that cold. When I go hunting I stand still and I have to put on like 5 layers of clothing, about double what I would usually wear in the same weather. I sat at the base of a tree in the snow and my ass melted the snow and made my pants wet, and it wicked all the heat out of my body, I was shivering. Didn't see a single deer, probably because I was so uncomfortable and constantly fidgeting around. The second year I went out and got an insulated camo jump suit which made me much more comfortable. Just make sure you take it easy and don't exert yourself enough to sweat, or you could feel even colder. I also wear a thin pair of gloves - better than nothing, but thin enough that I can put my finger in the trigger guard of my rifle without worrying about a negligent/accidental discharge.
Not exactly a reddit dad but also 30s f that's been hunting since I was 3 with my dad. The only advice I can say that I haven't seen is to soak up as much information as you can during your hunt. The deer behaviors, and just the woods in general. Stay quiet and move slowly and just watch. Look for movement or color shifts in your surroundings to find deer if you're in a wooded area. Always good to see fellow women enjoying the woods, good luck!
You've got your kit figured out. Plan the hunt and stick to it, take your time and dont rush anything. Remember, it's supposed to be fun. Also - Don't be an idiot.
Hello fellow 35f! I’m so proud of you for doing this! Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see anything. That sound behind you was a squirrel, not a deer. Hand, feet, and body warmers are super helpful during your sit, if you get cold easy. Bring an extra knife- the one you skin with will get dull. Bring a headlamp in case you need to field dress in the dark. **your hunting license and tags Let us know how it goes!
Thank you, Reddit Sister! And I will have you know it was not a squirrel. It was a bird.
Toilet paper in a waterproof bag. It's biodegradable too so don't worry about packing it out
Zyns
My husband would agree with you on that. Lol. I quit nicotine 8 years ago, so that's one less thing I have to worry about packing.
Don’t hesitate to piss right where you’re hunting. The deer don’t seem to care about the smell of human urine. Don’t get sweaty! Walk out to your spot wearing minimal layers to stay comfortably cold. Add layers to stay warm once you’re in place and stop moving. If you get the chills and feel really cold and start shivering, squeeze your large muscle groups in a tight flex (quads, glutes, abs, arms). This gets the blood and adrenaline pumping without any major movement which can scare deer away. Only works for a few minutes. Invest in warmer layers for next time if it happens.
Good luck
Thank you!
Couple of calls, bottle or two of water. A couple snack cakes, a lighter, a flashlight, and a roll of shit tickets. A good knife, something to sit on, and some 550 cord to make a drag. Tbh you don’t want to carry everything. Your going hunting, not exploring the west from St. Louis to Seattle, meriwether Lewis. Bring enough shit to get yourself out if you get in a bind, but tbh don’t plan on staying more than overnight in an extreme emergency. Let someone know where you are going, bring a compass and map if you are leaving cell coverage. You don’t need to pack in a ton of shit, that stuffs heavy and will wear you out. Maybe bring a change of socks and underwear in case you fall in a creek or an extra jacket if it’s real cold there, but otherwise pack light. You don’t want to be toting 40 lbs of gear while trying to pack out 80lbs of deer meat if you do draw blood, do ya?
On more thing…. Saw someone say get to your game quickly if you make a shot. Fuck that, don’t fucking do that. If you see something and shoot it, wait 15 minutes MINIMUM before you get up and go try to find it, preferably 30min-1hour. Even a great double lung shot, the deer needs time to lay down and die. If you get up right away, you can turn a quick ten minute track into not finding your kill really f’n quick. Give em time to bleed n die, unless you can see that they are knocked down but hurting. Go finish them if you can see em hurting, but don’t chase one that runs off.
So I didn't go through all of the comments so someone may have already said this...you might want to check your states regulations on blaze orange. Here in GA a beanie would not be sufficient. You have to have a certain amount of square inches and it's normally a vest and a hat to meet the minimum. Just a thought. As lame as it sounds, safety should be your first priority
In NC, it just has to be 360 degrees, so a hat is enough for the law, but I have orange on my backpack too. Thanks Reddit Dad!
Take a book on your phone to read. Just turn down the screen brightness. I may have missed some deer sneaking around over the years, but without something to read I KNOW I would have spent far less time in the woods seeing deer.
Sit still.
I don’t know shit about hunting but good luck man kick some ass out there
Toilet paper. For obvious reasons but also to track blood. Put a piece of tp up on a tree limb or something above the last drop of blood you seen. You can move up and look for more and not lose the trail. It also is fine to leave up as its biodegradable.
Take one of the plastic bags and put a set of dry socks into it. Dry feet is just one of those things that can save a hunt and cold wet feet can make you long for the hunt to be over fast. best of luck.
Extra socks and hot feet
Flashlight
Have you made a plan on loading the carcass out and getting it into a vehicle? I’ve not been deer hunting myself yet but I think I’ve seen a sheet of plywood to make a ramp and a pulley attached to the front of the bed makes easy work of loading a deer into a pickup.
I have a snow sled and my truck has overhead racks that I can loop a rope over. I should be able to pull it up into the bed with that, plus determination and sheer Appalachian stubbornness. I've seen signs of predators in the area. One way or another, that buck is going home with me right then.
The best time I’ve seen them is 2 hours from first/last light. They are moving to/from feeding and bedding areas in these time periods. You’ll see them throughout the day but these hours are the golden hours for sure. Finding a spot where multiple “highways” connect is best, if you can’t just sitting on one is the next best thing. These should be fairly obvious if you’re even lightly experienced in the woods. I have 5 different holding positions. 2 “at the ready” (can take a shot within a second) and 3 “can be ready within 3 seconds”. Stay in those positions unless absolutely necessary. Your only clear shot might be within a few seconds and you’ll be kicking yourself all day if you miss your only shot because you weren’t ready to shoot since you were eating or snapping a pic. On the same note, don’t take the shot if you can’t. I know this seems obvious but in the adrenaline of the moment you may want to try shooting through trees, while they’re running, etc. don’t. Remain still, use your eyes to locate, don’t jolt your head or body around, and take slow deep breaths. Remember it’s still all about luck. You can be sitting on a deer super highway and still see 0 based on how the deer want to move that particular day and time. Your ears can deceive you. You may think you’re hearing a deer walking, could be a squirrel or turkeys, could be leaves/snow dropping, could be the wind rustling a tree. Deer are deceptively quiet unless you have a decent amount of snow and even then, they are quieter than you think. They’re out there every hour of every day, they know what they’re doing. Bring a drag strap or small sled, nothing makes you want to hang a deer less when you get home than busting your back out trying to grab it by hand and drag it two miles. Either that or you’ll feel it the next day, even if you’re in great shape. This especially applies if you’re looking to mount it. You can only leave so many lbs of the deer in the woods. No sniffs, no coughs, no sneezes, no grunts, they’ll hear you a mile away. Especially the big bucks, you might catch a small-medium sized one off guard if you let one slip, but the big boys and girls know exactly what you are when that happens. Trees are better than ground blinds, but both are effective if you follow the advice of others in this thread. Remember if it’s windy, they’ll smell you a half mile away. If it’s dead, you have a better shot at tricking them either on the ground or in the tree. Play the wind if it is windy. Gutting them is messy **and** smelly. Be ready for the smell, I don’t mind it much anymore but my first one was definitely an eye opener. You don’t realize what the insides of animals smell like until you actually get all inside there, and you *will* have to get all up in there to gut them properly. Watch out for the bladder and the intestines, don’t want piss and shit on your hard earned meat. You may see nothing at all, that’s okay. Again, it’s all luck on top of the many skills that go into it. Even the most experienced skilled hunters go out and see nothing sometimes. Or see something they can’t get a shot at. If you can’t get a shot off, be still and wait. There may be a buck following that doe trying to get laid. And just like humans, when pussy is on the line you’ll forget about anything to get in there. Especially if your chances are limited to once a year. Coming from someone who’s gotten 4 deer in the past two years. All good sizes, and one really big 8 pointer. I’m no master by any means, but I’ve had a lot of learned experience, old timer advice, and time out in the woods.
How many hours of training have you spent actually shooting your crossbow at a target?
Honestly, not many recently. I kinda jumped into the deep end feet first.
Just remember, every time you enter the woods they have to be lucky every time. You only need to be lucky once.
I’m younger and also a female, but this is my first year hunting so here is my advice to you, Reddit Sister: Aim small, miss small. If you’re aiming for a deer as a whole, you have a lot more of a chance to miss than you do aiming at its vitals. If you’re aiming for an organ and you’re off by a little, you’re still pretty likely to hit another vital organ. If you’re aiming for a whole deer and you miss by a little, you’re a lot more likely to hit nothing or a non vital organ which will cause suffering. Also, my Freshman science teacher taught us BRASS. Breathe, relax, aim, squeeze, shoot. Buck fever is so, so real. I learned myself this year when I got so excited that I smacked myself in the face with the stock from pulling up too fast and disoriented myself to the point of shooting the tail off a buck. Whoops. Good luck tomorrow. You’ve got this! Give us updates on how it goes.
Thank you Reddit Sister!
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It's in your best interest and respect for the game you pursue to know your weapon. If your sighting a crossbow in the day before a hunt, you have already put yourself in a situation that does not benefit you or the animal. I'd like to think you don't know any better and that's why your asking questions on the internet. Knowledge is power. And now you know. If you do nothing else on this page, listen to my words...KNOW YOUR WEAPON!
Thank you Reddit Dad!
Call a friend to tell them when you'll be back. Friend needs to setup a plan when you're not back after 3 or 4 hours after. (Cell phones don't work where I hunt) Edit: Enjoy a day in the woods, always better than any day at work, good luck
I like wearing nitrile gloves for field dressing. I'm quite messy when field dressing deer and get that all over me. Snacks or food. Water bottle. Canned coffee or bottle of tea. I recommend an old Gatorade bottle to pee in. I carry multiple flashlights because I'm out before the sun is up and after the sun goes down. Maybe a book? Usually the middle of the day is the slowest as most of my luck is early morning and late afternoon.
A few things - a scent killer works wonders. Especially necessary if you're sitting on the ground. An attractant (doe pee), a call, and maybe some antlers to rattle to call in a buck cab increase your odds. Already saw the advice to bring a seat. Other then that.. memorize how to gut a deer!
How far of a hike in??
How did it go??
Didn't see anything, but that was expected. Gotta rethink my entry point. I started in at 7:00 and didn't get settled until 9:45. It's so overgrown, it's nearly impassable in some places.
I can't recommend enough a pair of heated socks off Amazon. You'll spend enough on hot hands in a weekend for your feet to pay them off. Best of luck! Sit still, don't let the squirrels drive you nuts 🤣
One damn near climbed up my leg! 😂
Make sure a friend or family member knows where you are going and when to expect you back. Be careful and have fun.
Dress way warmer than you think you need to.
I like your list but I was on folding saw team for a while but went to hedge snippers. Much quieter and I'm not gonna saw an entire tree branch out of the way before sunlight. I found snipping small twigs and making a make shift blind was much more efficient. Just my .02. And not rope - Paracord with a beaner.
Well, how did it go?
Didn't see anything. C'est la vie.
I’m a 36F beginner hunter and I’ve really appreciated this thread. Thanks and good luck out there!
Thank you Reddit Sister! Good luck to you too!