Category: Bow Hunting
Archery Practice: Aim for the Lower Third
We expect deer to react to the shot (we’ve seen this over and over). We practice like we hunt. When shooting at a deer or target, we aim at the lower 1/3 of the kill zone. If the deer reacts/drops, the shot is still in the kill zone. If the deer doesn’t react, it’s in the heart and/or bottom lungs.
I aim at the bottom third of the deer’s chest whether they are 20 or 40 yards away. I rarely shoot at deer past 40 yards for fear the deer will move and I rarely worry about deer dropping below the flight of the arrow if they are much closer than 20 yards. There are multiple advantages to aiming at the lower third of a deer’s chest. Wounds here usually produce better blood trails because the chest cavity doesn’t have to fill with blood before it starts exiting the wound.
I practice aiming at the bottom third so it’s a normal sight pattern when I’m hunting! See this video that shows how aiming for the lower third pays off!
Archery Practice Tip 3: Get Higher
Many deer hunters hunt from an elevated blind or stand. It’s important to practice for those shot opportunities.
Standing at a higher elevation (even on top of a small hill in the yard) and shooting at a target lower in elevation can help you prepare for fall.
Archery Practice Tip 2: Square Up to The Shot, Focus on the Waist Up
Hunters can’t always square up to the shot. Bow hunters should focus on the waist up and not the feet.
Practice keeping your shooting the form the same from the waist up, no matter your stance. You’ll be confident and accurate during many more shot opportunities this fall.
Archery Tip: Aim for the Exit
Imagine the path of the arrow through the target. According to your position in relation to the target, shot placement will vary.
Practice aiming so the arrow enters and exits within the vitals.
The Last Hunt – Episode #426
New Video
Just before season closed, Daniel harvested one more doe from The Proving Grounds. See the entire hunt along with the lessons we learned this hunting season. Plus, Daniel helps two landowners improve the habitat and hunting at their property!
spring field days 2018:
GrowingDeer Field Days are back!! Visit The Proving Grounds March 23rd and 24th as Grant and Daniel share habitat management and hunting techniques. It will be an informative and fun-filled weekend with lots of information, food, fun and fellowship! There will be demonstrations on food plot methods and seed blends, blind placement, soil amendments, minerals for whitetails, turkey calling tips, and more!
new weekly blog:
Trappers may not make much money but the benefits of trapping include removing predators and learning a lot about all critters. Find out why hunters will enjoy and benefit from trapping!
Short VIDEO:
We love those “Prime” times while hunting. See some of our favorites.
Tip of the Week:
A post season wash before storing your hunting clothes is a great start to next season’s scent control!
Hunting with colder weather and limited food – Episode #424
New Video
It’s been cold throughout much of the whitetails’ range this past week! Watch as Daniel travels home to northern Missouri for a late season hunt. His hunting strategies change as he observes deer movement and encounters multiple bucks. Plus, see how planning for deer season early can pay off during the late season!
new weekly blog:
We have a new venison recipe to share! It’s taco night! See how to use ground venison for taco meat.
Short VIDEO:
Love hearing the crunch of leaves and a nearby grunt? You will love this clip!
Tip of the Week:
While shed hunting this winter, keep an eye out for old sheds that may have been covered by grass, limbs, or leaves during the past year.
The Best Homecoming: Harvesting A Buck – Episode #417
New Video
Watch as the GrowingDeer Team harvests two bucks and three does! First up: Pro Staff member Heath Martin hunts “home ground” in western Arkansas where he tags the big “hard work pays off” buck! Then Raleigh returns home from college to hunt the opening morning of Missouri firearm season! Watch as Raleigh and Grant both punch tags…one is a fine Ozark Mountain buck!
new weekly blog:
Busy at work and slipping a hunt in when you can? Don’t let your busy schedule keep you from enjoying your recent harvest! Here is an easy recipe for a great marinated venison roast!
Tip of the Week:
Keeping your knives sharp (even replacement blades) makes cutting venison safer and quicker.
Kansas Buck And Doe Combo! – Episode #414
New Video
Guess who is tagged out in Kansas? Lindsey Martin, that’s who! She and Heath recently laid down over 400 lbs of deer when hunting a cold front in Kansas. Watch their hunts plus see three generations of Woods try to fill the freezer at The Proving Grounds!
Short Clip:
Last year Rylan White tagged his first buck ever during Missouri’s youth season! You can watch his hunt here!
new weekly blog:
Taking a youth hunting is a great way to pass along the tradition of hunting! Find out how to make a youth hunt enjoyable and “successful”!
Tip of the Week:
When blood trailing, look for the direction that the blood splatters. The splatters indicate the direction the deer was headed.
How Mature Bucks Use The Wind
It’s November and that means the rut is right around the corner! Some hunters have already experienced great hunting during the pre-rut. If you haven’t punched your tag yet because of the heat or bucks not chasing, get ready. This time of year anything can happen.
Considering the wind is key to killing a mature buck.
Over the past week, I have watched two mature bucks be killed with a Prime bow. As I reflect on both hunts, I realize how different they were, even over a period of one week. One hunt was a single mature buck working through a small hidey hole food plot. The other was a buck trailing a soon to be receptive doe. The two hunts were different in many ways but there was a similar feature. Both mature bucks were moving with the wind in their favor.
During the first hunt, the mature buck was cutting across the wind. Upwind of the buck was a small thicket. (Receptive does often seek security in thick cover.) This buck was obviously using the wind to scent check the nearby thicket for a receptive doe and to warn him of danger up ahead.
The second hunt was one we all fantasize about! One doe, young bucks running all around, and the mature buck chasing them off with the occasional grunt and snort wheeze. As this all unfolded, I watched the doe and the mature buck use the wind. The mature buck and the young bucks were always downwind of the doe, waiting for the moment to move in. Even the doe cut across the wind aware of what was ahead; knowing any moment a buck was going to be chasing her forward.
These hunts are a reminder of how deer use the wind, especially mature bucks as they seek receptive does during the rut. If you want to be successful over the next few weeks, consider where the deer will be traveling and where the wind will be carrying scent.
The GrowingDeer Team hopes you have a blessed rut. Be safe and enjoy your time in the woods.
Enjoying Creation,
Daniel
Two Bucks in Prime Range – Episode #364
New Video
It’s that time of the year when being vocal can pay off! Watch as two mature Ozark Mountain bruisers slip into bow range investigating the sounds from the Messenger grunt call. Plus, learn the hunting strategies we use to capitalize on the pre-rut activity.
Short Clip:
Want to make realistic grunts? Watch to get the most out of the Messenger grunt call.
New Weekly Blog:
Have you accepted the challenge? Here are 5 advantages to videoing your hunts!
Tip of the Week:
Bucks are cruising and does are seeking cover. Time to hunt close to the bedroom!
