Looking for Tips

[PointMan]

I know this has probably been covered a hundred times already, but I'm asking again anyway, sorry. I'm looking for a few tips on hunting mulies and whitetails here in BC. I've hunted moose back east before, but there's no big science to it, find some sign, follow the track and scout around it and before too long you'll usually strike meat. The Deer on the other hand seem to have me at their mercy, been skunked two years in a row. I'm not using any special tactics, or treating my clothes, is this really necessary or is it personal preference? I think I may have found the perfect honey hole (LOTS of sign at a river crossing, hopefully no one else frequents there), I want to make sure I keep this place "deer friendly". Assuming I do plug my buck here, how far should I haul my deer before dumping the gut pile? Like I said, newbie questions I know, but getting tired of finding new ways to justify buying a license and tags to the wife every year. LOL

Feel free to throw in any tips or comments you feel necessary. Thanks guys.

[powderburns]

Dump the guts right where you shoot it. The critters & birds will have them cleaned up in a day or less. I've shot deer one day and by the next morning there were deer tracks in the blood & crap right where the guts had been laying. The coyotes had cleaned them up over nite. It seemed to me that the smell attracted them.(The deer I mean) Pay special attention to the wind direction.
Welcome to the site and what part of the province you from?

[PointMan]

I'm in Vernon, so most of my hunting is done in Region 8, I've done some in 4 (Bench Creek Rd area). I've seen lots of deer along the way, but usually too late to take a shot. Just trying to work out my tactics. I've heard the whitetails require more sitting and waiting while mulies can be hunted while walking, what are your thoughts? Also, do you think I should treat my clothes to kill any scents or just try my best to stay downwind? Thanks for the reply by the way.

[MD]

Like Powderburns says, gut it there.

You don't want to be dragging 25 pounds of guts out of the woods along with your deer. Just the heart and liver. I take the kidneys too.

[Turbo Al]

Welcome to the forum

Well I am 110% behind the proper camo === Polar Fleece -- deadly quite. Also treat mine with both a scent killer and a UV killer. The UV killer is a two part process that involves washing the camo with no UV soap and then applying the UV killer.

For Muley's I mostly call or sit in a good location where there is a lot of animal traffic but no humans LOL. This means getting off the beaten track where the big guys lurk. You can do a seach on my handle Turbo AL and there is a couple of muley hunting stories there.

I personally drag the deer off the game trail about 25 yards (if he is on one) before gutting him. I have also seen (on my brothers deer) tracks in the snow going right up to a dead deer we left in the bush over night so it is just prefferance and nothing else.

My normal range for shooting muley's 50% of the time is less than 15 yards so quite and motionless is key.

Al

[Fisher-Dude]

I just drive around until I spot a buck and then plunk it.

[starvinoverhere]

I started my deer hunting in Vernon as well, all I can say is Sit, do your scouting, get a comfy seat and stay there, yes it can be boring, but it is worth it.

I questioned the treating clothes etc. as I see guys in at Tim Hortons getting coffee, smoking a cigar then hop in the truck and head to the bush, does not seem to affect them at all.

Goodluck

Starvin

[sawmill]

Originally Posted by Fisher-Dude

I just drive around until I spot a buck and then plunk it.

Old smart guy like me!

[Turbo Al]

Have the guys at tim hortons shot six 4x4 or better mulies???? I seriously doubt any of them has been within 15 feet of any live deer, elk or moose --- I have been that close many times. I actually had a muley doe sniffing my collar.

[Shrek]

There were 6 bucks in my yard yesterday. No big ones - yet. Soon time to bring out the oats. No municipal bylaws against hunting or shooting either.