Where, Or How You Hunt

[jbeck]

I got one for you guys and gals. I want to know if you feel your success, or lack there of, is due more to where you hunt or how you hunt. For example, I hunt 99 percent private access ground. I can pass up bucks every year, and it doesn't bother me. I go to Montana and see more buck in a day than I see here in pa. in a season. I have a great success rate with Pa. archery bucks as well as filling the freezer. But I must say, this has more to do with where I hunt than how I hunt. Pap, God bless him, never heard of scent control and never uses it. Shoots 140 plus buck every year in Montana. Hunts at home on our property in Pa. shoots a buck every year. More to do with where than how. I just thought I'd get your oppinions on this one. Thanks for the input.

[huntinsonovagun]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

I think it matters more WHERE you hunt.

Why are so many monsters killed in KS, IL, etc??

It helps that it is more open in those states too, but I know there is still a lot of timber in areas. Around here, most public hunting is timber, which is good hunting, but sightings are not as often...this is where "how you hunt" comes into play.

[puffy]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

I have to say that How and Where are equally as important here in Saskatchewan. With farmland bordering large timber areas and hunting timber alone can make the "how" sometimes difficult. You definately have to try and scout the areas before you plan to hunt. For me it's a 50/50 deal.

[Reloader]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

Obviously there has to be deer in the area or "how you hunt" isn't going to make a difference. However, assuming there is deer there, "how you hunt" is everything to do with it. I don't mean you have to use a specific method. I mean that you have to match the method you use to both the terain/weather and your own strengths. An experienced hunter that does that will always or almost always bring home some venison.

[beagleboy]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

Living in south NY, I don't see any large racked bucks over 130. You can hunt intelligently and scent free all you want but I do believe its where you hunt.

[buckbuster11]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

I think its alot of both. For example I have a friend who owns tons of ground not even two miles from where I hunt and he will consistently see over 10 deer an outing including a buck or two. On some evenings in the last few weeks he has seen 30-40 deer and a number of shooters. I'll be lucky to see that number this whole 6 week archery season.

[Canadian_Goose]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

In manitoba here a 160 can be hiding in the funniest place. Deer are smart especialy under pressure. We have alot of deer in what we consider sub urban areas (usually restricted to hunting). Go on public land and not only is it covered with red necked shot from the back of your el-camino hunters, but quads and dirt bikes too. Even some private land gets poached. Go farther north and thats what i refer to as heaven. almost complete isolation with B+C's pulled out annually and master angler fish daily. So i would say where you hunt plays a major role.

[Cutter]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

If there are no deer where your huntin it doesnt matter how much time and energy you put in .

Both are equally important.

[DSGB]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

I think the "where" has more of an affect than the "how". "How" you hunt is important, but it makes no difference if there's no big bucks in your area.

[stevebeilgard]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

where is a big thing, but how is much more important. i don't care if there are dozes of big bucks on the property, (where) if you can't find them, (how) you can't kill them.

[jbeck]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

Thanks for the imput, My only point is that I can shoot 3 1/2 yr. old to 7 1/2 deer in Montana on a regular basis. I've only ever seen 3 what I think were 3 1/2 yr old deer in pa. in 27 yrs of hunting. All during the rut in bow season. I'm a scent fanatic in pa. in bow and gun season. Don't worry about it in Montana. If I do spook a shooter, I just find another one. The thing is I can watch buck out there that I don't even consider shooting, come home 3 days and 1,736 mi. later, and would shoot them in a heart beat. Let's all remember that a trophy is judged only by the one squeezing the trigger, or release. Good Luck Everyone.

[elkhntnfool]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

I definitly think that it's where you hunt. If the game just isn't there you can't be successful. But how you hunt can play a role in your success. If you hunt in high pressure areas next to the road chances are you will see less deer and not have near the success if you were to hunt a less pressured area or farther of the beaten path.

[JoshM]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

Depends on the location i think

[VtBowhunter]

Re: Where, Or How You Hunt

Definately WHERE........I hunt the same way everytime, and in some places it works great whereas other spots produce nothing.