New gun owners wanting to take up hunting can find themselves hitting roadblock after roadblock just because of their inexperience and lack of knowledge. In a recent Shooting 101 column, we explained the ins and outs of getting into hunting upland and migratory game birds. In this installment, we’ll discuss getting started deer hunting.
Deer Hunting 101
The whitetail deer is America’s most popular big-game animal to hunt. Whitetail deer are found throughout most of the United States, from the East Coast to west of the Rocky Mountains. Experts estimate that there are about 30 million whitetails in the U.S., yielding outstanding opportunities to harvest some tasty, nutritious venison.
Deer are hunted with a variety of weapons, including bows, crossbows, muzzleloading rifles and conventional firearms. For this discussion, we’ll concentrate on firearms.
Before we start, it’s important to briefly discuss deer hunting regulations. They vary widely from state to state, and even from region to region within most states. Look up the regulations in the area you intend to hunt before planning your first hunt. Good hunters are safe, ethical and legal hunters, and that’s what you should aspire to be. While some in eastern states and a few states limit firearm deer hunting to shotguns, most hunt deer with rifles.
Guns & Gear
Many different rifle calibers are appropriate for deer hunting. Some of the historic favorites include .243 Win., .270 Win., .308 Win. and .30-06 Springfield. Just about any centerfire rifle of .24 caliber and larger can be used effectively for killing a deer. Action types can vary from single-shot to bolt action to lever action to semi-automatic. A couple of good-quality yet affordable bolt actions include the Mossberg Patriot and Ruger American Gen 2.
Just as important as the rifle is the ammunition used. Purpose-made deer hunting ammunition uses a bullet built to penetrate deeply and expand enough to cause a bigger wound channel and more shock. Most major ammo manufacturers make great deer-hunting ammunition. Some of my favorites are Winchester Deer Season XP, Federal Premium Nosler Ballistic Tip and Remington Core-Lokt Tipped.
Eyes on Target
Most deer hunting situations require a good telescopic sight or riflescope. These are available in a wide range of qualities and prices. The best advice I ever got is to make sure you get a high enough quality scope that it complements your rifle, rather than detracting from its performance. It’s not uncommon for serious deer hunters to spend more on their scope than on their rifle. Some good brands to explore include Bushnell, Leupold, Steiner, Burris, German Precision Optics, Vortex and Trijicon.
While gun, ammo and scope round out the basic needs, there are plenty of other gear items that make deer hunting more successful and more enjoyable. A good pair of binoculars lets you look over deer from a distance to decide if it is legal and if you want to shoot it. A laser rangefinder can give you an exact range to your target, ensuring you work within the ballistics of your rifle to make a good, clean kill. Once you have a deer on the ground, you need a top-quality hunting knife to take on the gutting, skinning and, later, butchering chores. A good, comfortable pack to carry all that stuff in is also a welcome addition to any deer gear list.
Advice For The Ages
Remember Safety – The rules of gun safety are especially important in the deer woods. Always treat every firearm as a loaded weapon, including when hunting. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, ensuring your target and what lies beyond it. Keep your trigger off the finger until ready to shoot a deer.
Start For Fun – Some deer hunters get so serious they don’t have fun anymore, constantly judging the size of bucks to see if they meet some personal standard they have set. Start deer hunting for the fun, with the added bonus of nutritious venison. You can get serious about inches of antlers later.
Get Technical
Shoot For The Heart-Lung Area – There are a lot of different ideas on where to shoot a deer for a clean kill, but if you aim for the heart-lung area, the biggest kill zone, and put a bullet right through there, you’ll seldom come up empty-handed. Avoid head shots and neck shots, which take more precise shooting and can result in a catastrophe.Â
Go High – Hunters kill the majority of whitetail deer annually from tree stands or elevated blinds. These put the hunters up where they can see and take a good shot, above the ground where they would give up their location more easily and spotted by deer. The majority of hunting accidents are deer stand accidents, so always practice tree stand safety.Â
Gain Permission – Of course, to hunt deer, you have to have a hunting spot. Never trespass, rather, seek permission to hunt on private lands. Public land deer hunting opportunities abound throughout the nation, but those are often crowded so enjoy them with care.
Find A Mentor – Like most aspects of shooting and hunting, you can accelerate your learning curve with deer hunting by finding an experienced mentor. Most hunters love to pass down what they know, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Go With Friends – For many deer hunters, deer camp camaraderie is just as important as the hunt. Consider hunting with a friend or two, and you’ll likely build a bond that lasts a lifetime.