The Season to Be Jolly Has Finally Arrived!

by LOU MARULLO | TF&G Hunting Editor

 

 

WELL… IT HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! Tis the season to be jolly! I am not talking about Santa coming to town. Any hunter worth his salt knows that the season I write about is whitetail season! Oh yeah. Most of us wait all year for this and maybe some wives do as well. Getting us out of the house for hours might be what she would love. Or maybe she also enjoys hunting those elusive animals and decides to give her tree stand a try. It matters not.  What truly matters is getting out in the woods and spending some time enjoying the outdoors.

All the pre-season scouting is done. Tree stands are in place. And the only thing left to do is to get those deer in range. Sounds easy enough. I am sure it is much easier with a rifle, but I really enjoy hunting them with my bow. If you have ever tried hunting with a stick and string, then you already understand how much more difficult it is to bring your prize home.

If you can be accurate shooting an arrow 200 plus yards, then you would not have to worry so much about a little movement or your scent in the immediate area. However, that is simply not possible and certainly not ethical. I am positive that the reason I prefer to hunt with a bow is the fact that I have to outwit the whitetail. I have to be aware of slight movements to make sure the excellent eyesight of that deer will not detect me. I also need to pay close attention to the wind direction to make sure the superior nose of that animal will not smell me. I have to become an animal in the woods and walk like they do. When you walk to your tree stand, most humans walk with a steady cadence. As a matter of fact, humans are the only animal that does that. Pay attention to a squirrel or fox or rabbit. They all take a few steps and then stop for a second to survey the area for danger. I do not expect you to close the truck door and take three steps and stop. Take a few more and stop. No, not at all. But I would strongly recommend that as you near 100 yards from your tree stand, you should walk like the other animals to help fool the unbelievable hearing of those whitetails.

I have written extensively on how sensitive the nostrils on a deer are. It is hard to believe, but once I was hunting across a field expecting the deer to enter from my right. I was careful to make sure the wind was not blowing in that direction. It was blowing straight out in the field. I was sure I would not be detected. To my surprise, I witnessed a buck enter the field at more than 100 yards from where I was. I watched as he put his nose high in the air and surveyed the field. I was perfectly still and yet that deer looked directly in my direction. I knew he winded me. You must learn to respect the nose of that deer. It is much better than the scent glands of a dog, and we all know that dogs are trained to find humans whether they are lost or wanted by the law. 

If it had been rifle season, my tag would have been filled but I just think that to harvest a whitetail that is so far from your location is just plain too easy. Point and shoot. I really feel that it takes the fun out of the hunt. Today, we have cameras strapped to trees in just about every wooded area. Drones that can search out where the deer are before the season begins. And now, most hunters use cameras that will send a picture in real time right to your phone while you enjoy the comfort of a warm living room as you watch your favorite hunting show. I wonder what technology will bring the hunting world 5, 10, or 20 years from now? And when will it finally feel like it is going too far?

That brings me to one more final thought. With the “Christmas” season upon us, what ideas do you have to get your hunter in the family something that he or she will enjoy for seasons to come. This writer knows that a camo neck tie is not high on the list of gifts this year. I know that I have put some major thought into what my wife would love for the holiday. A brand new bow comes to mind accompanied with a set of arrows and razor sharp broadheads. And I am sure she would love that tree stand she has been talking about. She and I went to our local hunting supply store, and I caught her checking out some new camo clothes. 

OK, OK… I know what you are thinking, and you would be correct. My wife does not hunt at all but those gifts I pointed her to would be wonderful for me! Isn’t that what Christmas is about? Maybe not. I did, however, tell my wife that I read someplace that it is better to give than to receive.  So, when she gives me something, she should not expect me to give a gift back! After all, I am just following the good book here! And I will leave you now with that smile on your face.

Merry Christmas and remember to have fun and hunt safe.

 

Email Lou Marullo at ContactUs@fishgame.com