White Tail Deer Hunting Tips

The white tail deer is one of the most popular animals to hunt in the world, especially for trophy hunts at Squaw Mountain Ranch in Texas. What helps to make them so popular among hunters are their antlers that they grow in the summer and fall and then shed in the winter. These highly sought after antlers appeal to hunters of all skill levels. Here at Squaw Mountain Ranch we want to ensure everyone has a successful hunt so we’ve put together a few white tail deer hunting tips.

White Tail Deer Hunting Tips and Tricks

White tail deer are also known for their speed. A white tail deer can run as fast as 40 miles per hour and even swim as fast as 13 miles per hour. They also change their coat with the different seasons. In the spring and summer they will be a reddish-brown while during the winter they will turn gray. They can change their color fairly quickly, usually within one to two weeks. This allows them to be camouflaged all-year round.

Because of their speed and quick color-changing ability, hunters need to be aware of several tips before they head out. Here are some tips to follow before you put your hunting gear on:

Be mindful of the wind.

This may sound a bit odd, but expert white tail deer hunters will tell you to be mindful of the wind. In order to be successful in your hunt, you should keep your wind right. Ignoring the wind could be setting yourself up for failure. White tail deer have a keen sense of smell. If the wind carries your scent, you won’t be doing much hunting because they’ll scurry off fast.

Be “scent-less”.

Building on the idea of being mindful of the wind and the deer’s keen sense of smell, you don’t want to tip the deer off with a scent. This means using unscented soap and deodorant, and avoiding aftershave and cologne. You’ll also want to keep your hunting clothes in a bag with dirt or leaves from the area you hunt. This will help you to blend in scent-wise with your surroundings. If the deer think you smell like the woods they’ll be less likely to run off.

Camouflage yourself.

Wear camouflage patterned clothing with a bright orange safety hat or vest for the woods. Other hunters will be able to spot you, but you’ll still remain hidden from the deer.

Spend time scouting.

While you want to get in there and hunt, successful white tail deer hunters will tell you that you need to take enough time to scout your prey. Use cameras to get information on the land and the deer’s activity. Take note of patterns to see when the deer are out the most. Once you’ve gathered enough information you can plan your hunting times and be more successful.

Plan on hunting a small area.

Most white tails have a home range of one square mile or less. If you are most familiar with just one or two spots rather than an entire wooded area you’ll likely be more successful. Your best bet is to pick an area of 40 to 80 acres and learn where the deer bed is, where they feed, and what routes they travel.

Don’t take a lunch break.

When you move, you take the chance of deer hearing you and leaving the area. So, all of the time you spend before lunch will be for nothing. Besides not tipping off the deer you may also put yourself in a better position to compete with other hunters who may take that lunch break.

Be open to hunt in all weather conditions.

You should not only be open to hunt in all weather conditions, but also know the white tail deer activity patterns during certain weather conditions. For example, when the barometer drops after a storm, deer often move to feeding areas regardless of the time of day. Keep an eye on trails and feeding areas like oak woodlots and farm fields. White tail deer will also feed right after the storm. If the wind is blowing or if there’s stormy conditions, you’ll most likely find deer in sheltered bedding areas.

Consider using grunt calls.

Deer are vocal animals and many use grunt calls to attract a white tail deer. Many hunters will use grunt calls or certain sounds to stop a deer in his tracks long enough to take a shot.

Don’t be afraid to get low.

You may need to crawl on your hands and knees in an open field to stalk your deer and to hunt them. If you’re going to try this tactic be sure to bring knee pads for crawling.

Put those Deer Hunting Tips to Use at Squaw Mountain Ranch

Now that you’re armed with a variety of deer hunting tips, put them to use. If you’re planning on going on a white tail deer hunt at Squaw Mountain Ranch, you can expect a one to one buck to doe ratio which allows hunters to see several deer to choose from during their hunt. We aim to accommodate all hunters including those with physical disabilities.

There is a variety of hunting packages to choose from at Squaw Mountain Ranch. No matter which you choose we ensure a fair hunt resulting in a trophy any hunter will be proud to display.

If you are planning a trophy hunt at Squaw Mountain Ranch, you just need to bring your rifle and ammo, hunting clothes, a Texas hunting license, cooler to transport meat and any other desired personal items.

Call Squaw Mountain today at 830-275-3277 to find out more about deer hunting tips and the variety of white tail deer hunting packages available.