Ever since there have been white-tailed deer there have been those interested in whitetail hunting. Once an important animal food source for Native Americans, the whitetail is now an important game species, both socially and economically. The heritage of deer hunting is still passed on from generation to generation throughout the whitetail’s range. Each new deer season means another season of camaraderie with family and friends pursuing the majestic whitetail deer.
Of course, whitetail hunting has grown in popularity as a result of the plethera of deer hunting shows on television. The exposure of hunters to the sport of deer hunting, combined with the desire to harvest monster bucks, has increased the demand for big whitetail bucks. This demand has rocketed the whitetail deer’s economic status. Farmers that once saw whitetail deer as nuisance animals now sell deer hunts on their properties for thousands of dollars. Properties throughout North America work hard on deer management operations to produce and sell high quality whitetail deer.
With all the hype surrounding deer hunting in the last decade, most hunters still hunt locally on private land, whether owned or leased. Hunters still enjoy the value in a simple deer hunt. It’s waking up early, walking to the stand or possibly still hunting, and the chance that a truly remarkable buck may walk right in your path. Whether it be whitetail buck or a doe, most hunters still get satisfaction out of a well placed shot and perfectly cooked venison. Whitetail deer are still an important source of food for many hunters.
Whitetail deer are hunted by two primary methods, with gun or bow. Gun hunters include those using shotguns, rifles, pistols, and black powder. Archery hunters are those that use longbows, recurve bows, or compound bows. I also lump crossbows into this category, simply because an “arrow” (bolt) is used as the projectile. Most bowhunters start out as gun hunters, but progress to bowhunting for the additional challenge the method provides. Trust me, hunting with a bow is much more difficult than hunting with a gun, but it’s well worth the challenge!
Regardless of the method you choose to use, deer hunting is about understanding whitetail deer. This is one reason most deer hunters start at a young age. Not that young hunters are “serious” deer hunters, but the fact that over the years they gain knowledge of the whitetail deer. Movement patterns, preferred feeding areas, and general habits that help them bag deer year after year. There is no trick to whitetail hunting. You see, deer can be patterned to various extents. Although some hunters attempt to pattern individual deer, especially bucks, deer tend to use the same areas year in and year out. The real skill is spending time in the woods (their home) and learning when and where they will be. You can learn more about whitetail hunting in the following articles: