Deer hunting is an age-old tradition in the US and several hunters across the United States eagerly await the Hunting Season every year to make their kill. The activity has several environmental, economic, and conservation benefits. Hunters spend thousands of dollars on equipment, training, licenses, membership dues, land leasing, permits, ownership, and other hunting supplies to add substantial income to state economies. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act or the Pittman-Robertson Act was launched in 1937 to help fund wildlife conservation.
Deer Hunting Is More Than A Sport
Millions of deer hunters in the US make it to different habitats every season. Without deer hunts, there would be a phenomenal spike in the deer population. The deer would move to areas outside their own habitat to feed, increasing crop damages and forestry generation problems. This would lead to diseases, starvation, and Lyme disease transmission. Car-deer collisions would be another significant concern.
Though Mule Deer and White-Tailed Deer are the most commonly found deer species in US the hunters have several other types to choose from while planning a Deer Hunting trip. These are:
| White-tailed deer | Found abundantly across North and South America, they have a distinct white mark under their tail. Their coat is brown in summer but takes on a greyish tint during winters. Whitetail males weigh up to 300 lbs. while the does weigh about 150 lbs. on average. |
| Mule deer | Found in large numbers in South American deserts, mule deer are specific to most US states. They have a grey coat, fork-like antlers, a white mark on the tail’s tip, and big mule-like ears. A big white patch can recognize mule deer on the hind sides. |
| Caribou | Caribous or reindeer are found in the Arctic regions. They have a thick and furry coat and long antlers (both genders). They can cover over 3000 miles during migration. |
| Moose | Found in the colder parts of the US, they are the tallest and largest of all deer species. The male moose can be spotted easily as they have huge leaf-shaped antlers that span almost 6 feet across. Another distinctive trait is a large piece of skin hangs from their neck; it is called a bell. |
| North American Elk | Elks feed on grass, plants, leaves, and bark found near the edges of forests. The male elks have big antlers that are shed annually. During the rut, the bulls can be found in antler wrestling, bugling, and posturing. |
Where to Hunt for Deer
Deer hunters head for two types of land in the US, public and private.
Public Land Hunting
The public hunting lands can be federal-owned, state-owned, or owned by the locals. As some places are rugged, it’s important to carry the right hunting gear, especially for carrying the kill back. Hunters can find the details about secret spots, advanced GPS maps, terrains, deer species, and other wildlife details of public lands at farwide.com.
Private Land Hunting
Hunting on private lands in the US is possible either on leased or purchased land. Generally, private hunting landowners allow hunting groups to come in and hunt for days. There are varied rules and regulations in place for managing and maintaining the deer population on private lands.
Deer Hunting Tips
Deer hunters have to take up the safety courses as prescribed by specific states in the US. The courses on hunter safety and apprentice programs are necessary for obtaining deer hunting licenses. It is important to learn the basic safety hunting tips before setting out for the kill.
Hunters should not go into prohibited areas without having valid hunting licenses in place. There are several norms and regulations that have to be followed while hunting deer in permitted areas. Hunter orange clothing is a must as animals cannot visibly see this color. They can be easily spotted by other hunters and are legally-required by certain states.
Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting regulations are usually based on population dynamics –
- The number of deer supported by any tract of land or the biological carrying capacity
- The maximum deer capacity that’s likely to be tolerated by people or the social carrying capacity
The rules set by managers and wildlife agencies for quotas, tags, and deer seasons have to be followed strictly to avoid heavy penalties and fines.
Deer Hunting Season in the States of the US
| State | Approximate Season/ Date | Details |
| Florida | Begins in July | Click for details |
| Missouri | Begins in mid-September | Click for Details |
| Virginia | Begins in late-September | Click for Details |
| Maine | Begins in late-September | Click for Details |
| Michigan | Begins in October | Click for Details |
| Indiana | Begins in mid-October | Click for Details |
| Oklahoma | Begins in October end | Click for Details |
| Colorado | Begins in October last week | Click for Details |
| Alabama | Begins in mid-November | Click for Details |
| Other states | Visit search.farwide.com for information on other states |
The adrenaline rush and thrill of going after the giant white-tailed deer can be best experienced in the following states:
| State | Estimated number of whitetails | Pros |
| Iowa | 200,000 approx. | The abundance of farmland Consistent food sources |
| Ohio | No: 1 in the US in terms of abundance, 2nd biggest non-typical buck found here | Monster bucks, right habitat, terrains, genetics, and crops to support whitetail habitats |
| Texas | More than 2 million acres of private and public hunting landsA large number of trophy bucks | The consistent revival of the annual whitetail population, Presence of confined ranches guaranteeing kills |
| Kentucky | 1,602,978 acres of state game lands flush with the white-tailed deer population No:2 in the US for “specialty” type bucks | In the list of top five states in the US for whitetail deer production Beautiful terrains, abundant habitats, friendly locals |
| Pennsylvania | Bradford County records the biggest bucks in the State 1 million-plus acre of state-commissioned hunting land | Dense thickets, evergreen vegetation |
Farwide.com helps hunters explore the best whitetail habitats in the US. Connect with our experts to get in-depth details about hunting deer in different states.
Essential Deer Hunting Gear
Hunters need a full-fledged hunting gear list to get ready for their trip. Gearing up becomes comparatively easy when done with the help of experts and well-made checklists. It’s best to break down the hunting gear list into four parts:
- Deer hunting equipment – Deer Hunting Knife, Rope, deer scent control, Deer drag, your chosen weapon and ammunition are a few of the essential items.
- Hunter accessories – It’s a good idea to carry extra trash bags, Flashlight with extra batteries, Fire making supplies, First – Aid Kit.
- Proper Clothing – Proper clothing that protects from cold as well as moisture. Good quality hunting rain gear, hunting socks, camo mask and gloves are essential. You might be required to carry Hunter Orange if it is mandatory in your state. Choosing Camo – colored clothing will help you blend in with the surroundings.
- A good Hunting GPS Unit helps you navigate through the territory and keeps you from getting lost in the woods. Farwide App enables you to explore maps, create waypoints and even share them with your fellow hunters. You can download it for free to access valuable information from anywhere and everywhere.
Deer Hunting Techniques
Deer behavior changes in the early season, rut, and the late-rut seasons. Pro deer hunting tips can enable more success on-field.
- Hunters should attempt to understand and follow deer patterns much before the season begins.
- They must understand the topography of the area selected for the hunt beforehand.
- An important tactic of tracking deer during the rut lies in using the urine of deer. Expert hunters apply doe scent or hang urine on trees roughly 8-10 weeks before the main rut begins.
- Whitetails can be lured within range by grunts and other vocalization techniques.
The best deer hunting tricks and tips for beginners are learned in the wild. It helps to have expert guides and hunters from farwide.com to be successful while going after the prey.
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