Opening Day Right Around the Corner

Yes, it is almost here. Are you ready? In Pa, the first day of archery season is Saturday, September 20, 2006. Here is just a short checklist for you to make sure you are ready for the season.
License
Antlerless License
Pencil to fill out your tag
Pin or twisty tie to fasten your license to your deer
Deer Drag
Comfortable boots
Comfortable clothes
Face mask or face paint
Scent free clothes or spray to make your clothes scent free
Deer scent for the woods
Deer call
Antler rattle bag
Bow or gun
Arrows or ammunition
Safety belt for tree stand - always think safety first
Cell phone for emergencies
Flashlight for the walk to the stand

We'll I am sure I missed a few things but this will get you started. Make sure you go through your own checklist before heading out into the woods for your first big day of deer season. Best of luck to everyone.

One Happy Hunter,

http://www.howtoagedeer.com

Nice evening to be in the woods

SO, I decided to try creating a food plot. As I said before, I own 10 acres and about 8 is mostly field surrounded by woods. I have been wanting to make a food plot for some time but did not have the equipment to do it. Until I talked to my uncle and he had a discer. So, I got right to work. I ordered my seed, I bought a seed spreader. I went out to the field and mowed a section of it to get it down to the ground. I had sprayed weed killer on it and then my uncle came over with the big sprayer. I must say, my little hand trigger sprayer was much more effective at killing the weeds then the big sprayer. My uncle then dropped off the discer so I could attach it to my 4 wheeler and disc the area I had prepared. I couldn't wait. I loaded the discer (yes, it is a small one) into the cart and hauled it back to the food plot I was about to create. I attached it to my 4 wheeler and off I went. I must have done about 100 laps with the thing and wouldn't you know it. It was barely heavy enough to rough up the ground. Boy, was I dissappointed. I knew from what I had read that the food plot needed to be in by September 15 for my area and I was already behing because I had to rely on other people for their time and equipment. I didn't accomplish much to say the least. It did rough up the area but not like I wanted it to. So, now I need to find someone else to assist me. I don't want to waste the seed that I bought and plant it late and then not have it grow. I guess I will have to wait until spring to create my food plot. I was looking forward to seeing the first signs of it growing but now, not until spring. I will let you know how I progress with my first plot.

While I was out in the field, picking up my mess from my unsuccessful discing. I noticed a couple of deer making their way into the field to eat. Of course, they were both doe. We'll I needed assitance loading the discer into the cart so I went back to the house for a helpful hand. Upon returning to the field, with the 4 wheeler running I looked up and saw a nice doe staring right at me. It had just walked out of the woods into the edge of the field. Nice deer! As we proceeded to load the discer, we noticed a couple more deer down the field making their way out to grab a bite to eat. One was a small fawn. What a great night. I saw 5 deer total, all doe but just seeing deer is exciting. 5 days until archery season starts in Pa, I can't wait. I will be out there and I will keep you posted on any action that I get.

One happy hunter,


http://www.howtoagedeer.com

Get Ready For Archery Season In Pa

Okay Pa Hunters -
It is 12 days away from the first day of archery season. Here are some tips that I have learned about deer hunting. First, you should be out in the woods looking for signs of deer. This is one of the most important things you can do, I think, is to scout. Preseason scouting and also in-season scouting should be done to gain knowledge of where your deer are feeding and bedding. Watch closely for those rubs and scrapes, this is where you want to intercept the bucks. Rubs and scrapes mean that a buck has been there and will be returning. Secondly, for the archery hunter, you need to set up for a close shot to your trail. Just think about how hype you get when you see a deer coming through the woods and know you need to concentrate on hitting that buck in the right spot so that you get the kill, minimizing your shot could be key. My third tip for you would be to practice shooting that bow. It takes practice to get that perfect shot, especially under pressure (deer pressure that is). The fourth tip would be to hunt as scent free as possible. I recommend a earth-scent cover. Finally, my last tip for the archery hunter would be to make sure that you wear that safety harness or safety belt. You are in the woods to create a memorable experience and you don't want your memorable experience to be that you didn't use your harness and now, you can't enjoy the hunting experience anymore. Okay, by remember a few of these tips, I hope that your archery hunting experience will be a memorable one. Get out and hunt!

One Happy Hunter,

http://www.howtoagedeer.com

The 3 Most Important Things in Producing Trophy Bucks

I found this article while searching the internet tonight and I thought that I would pass the link onto my fellow hunters. It talks about the 3 most important things that need to happen to product quality trophy bucks. They are age, genetics, and nutrition. At howtoagedeer.com we focus on the age of deer. Primarly for the purpose of whitetail deer management. Yes, we get your average hunter that is curious about the age of there trophy buck, but the deer aging tool is very valuable to the land owners, guides, and outfitters that manage whitetail deer. If you have a minute, check it out.
http://www.thejump.net/Hunting_Articles/manage.htm

One Happy Hunter

http://www.howtoagedeer.com

Howtoagedeer.com Camera Check

Well, I went out tonight to check the two cameras that I have set up. I did get a few more pictures of doe but no buck. My uncle told me that while they were trail riding last week, they noticed a few buck rubs. So, if you live in Pennsylvania where I do, be on the look out for those buck rubs. I think the bucks will start to become a little more active this week and next. Don't forget to get out and practice shooting your bow and arrow. The first day of archery in Pa starts September 30th. It is not that far away and you want to make sure everything is working properly before venturing out into the woods after a big one.


One Happy Hunter,

Michelle
www.howtoagedeer.com

How To Age Deer - New Camera Photos

I just wanted to post some recent pictures from my digital camera that I have set up along the woods. I have been seeing the deer coming out into the field to feed at all times of the night. I haven't seen any buck yet, though. I hope you enjoy.

Deer Are On The Move

This week I have begun to see more deer on the move. I live in the country on 10 acres and I have been seeing more deer arriving in my back yard. Last fall, they were everywhere and then hunting season came and went and then I didn't see them. Now, they are starting to arrive again. I was looking out my window the other day and I saw two fawns running and chasing each other. They were on the move. I have set up my deer cameras to see if I can get some pictures of the deer. I will post if I get any pictures. It is about that time to get in the woods and start scouting if you are an archery fan. Get out and track those big bucks.


One Happy Hunter,


Michelle Weber
http://www.howtoagedeer.com/

These photos were taken on my Deer Camera in Late August 2006