Hey all:

Not having whitetail hunted before, what is the best tactics for early season bow? In California for coastal blacktail, we used the 'hike around and hope to stumble upon one' method with some success, but i know here that probably isn't the best. I will be hunting public-so no hunting over feeders, and I dont have cameras out, for my worrisome state of them being stolen.

I have been scouting some, and seeing primarily does, but wanting some input on the best strategy. Is it best to sit near a trail early morning (haven't found many GOOD trails) or sit near water? then mid morning hike around/stumble upon one/spot and stalk? I know their activity is highly dependent on weather/temperature, but what are the best recommended methods for success during early season?

If you're hunting public land don't wander around too much, you may not be alone. If you've scouted ot a trail find a spot where you can get a good view from it and sit tight.

Just find a food source. A big oak tree full of akerns is a good start. Also look for deer droppings. The more you find in one location, the better.

Where in California did you hunt? Having hunted both blacktail and whitetail they are a totally different critter than whitetail. I would not try walking around trying to get a shot with a bow on a whitetail. The chances are slim that they will stick around long enough for a shot IMO. Blacktail have a much larger range that whitetail so if you see a good trail you can almost bet a whitetail will be going through there every day or every other day. Sit still be quiet and wait.

If you are hunting timbered land{east tx}I like to find a rub line which will be the general line of travel that a buck or bucks will be using if the bucks are rubbing and they should be soon.A good lock on or tree climber makes any decent tree your stand,take something to trim limbs.You will need to be scouting in between hunts and I have put up stands at night and the best hunt from it was the next hunt.The best time to hunt the way you are used to hunting blacktails is immediately after a good rain as the animals will be moving,you can walk quietly,and there will be a good breeze that you can walk slowly into or quarter into.Hope this helps,welcome to the Lone Star State.

Early season hunting the food source. If you can find where they are feeding on Acorns hunt there. Or trail to and from bedding locations. A lot of the bucks bedding locations are changing now that they are shedding the velvet. Thick cover near food sources would be a good bet.


Good luck

Food, water, bedding and cover. And if you're a Bowhunter put em on the ground before the rifles start booming.

Thanks guys. I will have to scout a little more to find a really good trail, and I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to acorns...so now I will. I usually use Bow season as scouting for rifle season, but hoping to put one on the ground during arcvhery season- my freezer is empty...

Blarue: I have hunted primarily northern california- all over. Covelo, mendocino County, Humboldt County. I have also hunted Mule deer near Stampede (Just on the cali side of reno, NV) Both Private and public. Have had great success, mainly due to being in college and being able to get into the field A LOT.

Very cool...I lived in Mendocino county for several years working as a firefighter. I lived in Willits and Hopland. Sure miss that place. The drive up to Covalo was sure relaxing.

If you can find whiteoaks in your woods that will be the spot. The acorns from whiteoaks are like a deer magnet.

This x100

Be early and stay late. I see my bucks (during bow season,but don't bow hunt anymore much) usually around last light. I have also noticed, the little bucks usually show first, so if several are coming out of the brush, you may want to be patient and see whose bringing up the rear.

Welcome to a form of hunting that is extremely addictive. I still gun hunt but my passion is bow. Here's a couple recommendations:

- I GPS every rub, scrape, and bedding area...then put up trail cameras on the rubs - usually you can establish a trail if there's enough rub activity
- I never had much luck spot/stalk hunting in Texas but that's how I hunted growing up in Miss.
- I love to hunt draws and treelines bordering ag fields or plots.
- A lot of new hunters don't put enough thought about wind direction and being absolutely still in the stand. Some people just aren't cut out for bow hunting simply because they can't sit still or they need to eat/drink/smoke/dip while hunting. ;-)

Good luck on your first hunt!

Thanks for all the advice! I know bow hunting will be tough for me, because i do have anxiety, so i like to move around.

And my only clutch out in the field would be food. Super high metabolism means I eat constantly. But, i think i can choose nuts or something with minor smells.