Deer hunting on the move, or stillhunting, is commonly misunderstood as to what it is and how to go about it. It is stalking deer, not waiting on a stump or in a blind for the deer to come to you. It can be the most rewarding deer hunting experience you can do. It can also be the most frustrating, since it is a skill which requires you to slow everything everything - your sight, your breath and your walking gait. But the payoffs go beyond the hunt to your better enjoyment of nature itself.
This article will talk about some things I’ve learned while hunting deer in the Vermont woods and oak mast ridges of Wisconsin. These few simple techniques can be used on your next hunt - whether you choose to stillhunt or not, the principles are the same. These techniques will also make your deer hunt a richer experience. It’s all about: you’re outdoors - enjoy the scenery, hunting or not.
Generally, as deer hunters, we think of one thing when we hunt, and that is deer. Not deer in general, but that deer. We are aided in this compulsion by our brains, and our eyes. Let’s talk about eyes first.
Hunt Deer with Soft Focus - See Them as They See You
We see as all predators do - forward, and tightly focussed. Take a look at your average housecat and watch it stalk something. It pursues its object with its eyes narrowed and every muscle relaxed, yet steeled at a moment’s notice to pounce. We share with the cat and all predators having our eyes in the front of our head, designed to focus on a single thing.
However, deer, and all prey species, have eyes designed to detect motion. Deer and all prey species have eyes on the side of their head, and this aids in perceiving motion first, long before the animal can make out whether what they see is a threat, or just some pattern-breaking motion in the woods. When stillhunting for deer, we must adopt to the way they see. We must see motion first, patterns out of sync second, and the deer last. The only way to do this is to relax our focus and broaden our field of vision.
Here’s how to practice. Stand facing a wall, about six to eight feet away from it. Stare hard at a spot on the wall. Raise your arms, index fingers extended, fully out to the side from your head (and slightly behind). Now, keeping your arms straight and your index fingers extended, bring your arms slowly in front of your face. Notice the moment when your fingers come into view - this is your field of vision (FOV).
Now, turn to the wall again. This time, soften your focus so that your eyes, while seeing objects or spots on the wall, do not lock on any one spot. Repeat the index-finger practice. You should see your fingers enter your FOV much earlier than before. It is this type of sight - gained through practice, for it isn’t natural to us anymore - that allows us to see changes in woods patterns, motion - in short, to see deer out in the distance, possibly before they see us.
Now, onto walking.
Walk Toe-Heel, not Heel-Toe
You see it all the time - the hunter walking through the woods as if he’s hunting on rice paper.
It doesn’t work. As a hunter, you’re going to make noise. But then, so do deer and other game. So does anything living and breathing in the woods. What you want to avoid is making the rhythmic gait a hunter makes when he’s running, usually after a deer, or doing everything he can to be quiet, when he doesn’t yet see one.
Walking toe-heel is the way to walk, because the palm of your foot can be more flexible in its response to the softwood twigs and deadfall underfoot - like deer, whose hooves make relatively light contact with the forest floor. Walking heel-toe makes for a heavy, stiff step - a human step. Walking heel toe, take a few steps, pause, and, using the soft-focus described above, take in the environment, in a holistic way. Above all else, if you find yourself entering in to a steady, rhythmic gait, break it up. You also want to avoid any obviously human sounds sounds coming from anything man-made, such as metal or hard plastic. Bottom line - brushing past an oak stump is o.k. Marching in cadence is not, nor is that canteen banging against your hunting rifle strap buckle.
Know the Wind
Finally, walk into the wind. Yes, this is rule 1. But many hunters, especially those used to staying in a relatively insulated hunting blind, forget this cardinal rule. I’ve stood with my bow drawn on a buck 10 yards away, with the buck clearly trying to figure out what the heck this would-be rambo was up to - only to watch it spring to life once the wind shifts, and thanksgiving was a bit - thinner that year.
Don’t even bother still hunting on blustery days, with no prevailing winds.
The bottom line, when you are hunting deer in this way, is to get used to is slowing yourself down, for hours at a time, and softening your focus to “deer hunt” for motion - not deer.
But act like, see like, deer, become more a part of where you are, and you will reap many rewards - whether you take a deer or not.
Paul Smith lives in the northwoods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He divides his time between his family, teaching the Japanese martial art of Aikido (Aikido Marquette) and building www.a1-Outdoors.com, a website devoted to information and retail resources for deer hunting gear and other outdoor pursuits.
Blue spruce trees have been reported to be suffering from the
Blue Spruce Rust in the Milan Pa. area. This Rust is difficult
to control. For this reason alone I would suggest that you NOT
plant the Blue Spruces.
If my farm were run like a democracy and one man one vote
applied for whether we should plant or sell Colorado Blue
Spruce, the vote would 100% against the Blue Spruce Tree. The
Blue Spruce also known as Picea pungens Engelm is noted for
being majestic, stately, with its silver blue color and
symetricle form. Its color can range from blue to green. The
color variations are genetic traits of the tree. For uniform
color from tree to tree one should use grafted cuttings, which
command premium prices. The Blue Spruce is widely planted
througout the US because it is tolerant to a variety of site
conditions. It has good drought, wind, and cold tolerance. The
Blue Spruce finds uses such as wind breaks and as an ornamental
in landscape designs. Deer don’t prefer to eat these trees
unless they are very hungry. Now you would think that this tree
would get our vote. But my boys hate to work with these trees
because they can be brutal on transplanting. Like wrestling with
a porkupine! You can see more of Bill’s plant talk at his web
site http://www.seedlingrus.com
Mountain climbing is a great way to escape the rat race and be
one with nature. Alas, your mountain climbing experiences can
fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a
mountain climbing journal for your adventures.
Mountain Climbing Journals
Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent
mountain climbing experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now
think about the first time you ever went mountain climbing.
Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people
you went with, particular mountain climbing routes and
spectacular views. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to
time. If you keep a mountain climbing journal, this won’t be the
case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout
time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her
diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her
family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your mountain climbing
experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will
let you remember them as the years pass.
A good mountain climbing journal combines a number of
characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have
to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should
have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third,
the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes.
Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to
keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:
1. Who you went mountain climbing with,
2. Where you camped and if you enjoyed it,
3. Who you met and contact information for them,
4. The geographic and weather conditions, and
5. Any unique things that occurred while mountain climbing.
6. The routes you took up the mountain and alternatives.
7. Any inside information provided by experienced locals.
At the end of the mountain climbing trip, you should be able to
get the following from your journal:
1. Contact information for other climbers you met,
2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you
climb the location a second time.
3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and
4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and
grandchildren.
To get the most out of your mountain climbing journal, you
should write in it just before you climb, as you summit and when
you return. Doing so will give you an accurate picture of your
thoughts throughout the climb.
Mountain climbing is a great way to commune with nature. Make
sure to preserve the experience.
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of a lifetime. River rafters see breathtaking scenery, get great exercise, and experience terrific adventure. There are great places to go river rafting all over the world, but many of the best rivers for white-water rafting are here in the United States.
It’s a good idea to contact a licensed river rafting agency to plan a rafting trip. These agencies, found near most major rivers, provide trained guides and planned routes for rafting rides. Many agencies also provide training for novice river rafters. These services are especially good for people rafting for the first time.
River rafting has been a sport for decades. The person generally credited with inventing river rafting is Bill Dvorak. In 1969, Dvorak was the first person issued a river recreation outfitters license when he formed Dvorak Expeditions in Salida, Colorado. Dvorak created many of the safety guidelines and license requirements for equipment used in white-water rafting. He came up with the idea of having guides lead rafting tours.
There are many great places to go white-water rafting in the United States. One of the most popular is the American River, which starts in the Sierra Nevada and splits into the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork before converging near Sacramento, CA. The American River provides a wide variety of river rafting experiences, from easy rapids for beginners to difficult stretches navigated by expert rafters.
White-water rapids are rated based on their level of difficulty. Water speed, currents, the amount of rocks, and other factors influence the river’s rating. The easiest rivers to navigate are Class I; Class VI rivers are considered impossible to run. As equipment has become more advanced, many rivers previously defined as Class IV became Class V, and extremely skilled rafters have begun navigating them safely.
River rafting is a fun and challenging sport. A river rafting vacation is perfect for people who love challenges and being in the great outdoors.
River Rafting Info provides detailed information on river rafting trips in Washington, Colorado, California and the Grand Canyon, as well as Salmon River in Idaho and Rogue River in Oregon. River Rafting Info is the sister site of Inflatable Boats Web.
