Kevin Harrison posted on May 25, 2011 08:43
You've dreamed about it, saved up for a year or more and finally think the time is right and your ready. I hate to say it, but your probably not. Year after year I've guided hunters that think their coming on a guided deer hunt and have the spot on the wall for their 200lb plus buck picked out and oh yea, think they'll be done on Tuesday, ok maybe Wednesday, of a six day hunt. Trust me, I wish that was the case for you and me. I usually can tell this is the hunters mind set from the phone call I make to them before the hunt to run over what they can expect on the hunt and what to bring. The images of those old photos that show game poles lined with deer have long outlived the deer yards that made those photos remind us of days gone bye. That make us all wish we were around to hunt the big woods back then. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of big bucks around to chase but you've got to realize what your getting into when you book a hunt in the north country. Six or seven deer might be all you see in a weeks hunting, but how many do you need to see when your after that one big buck. You can be on a track of a monster buck and does it really matter if you see another deer all day other than the one your tracking? Not to me. So what does it take to see that deer? This is when a lot of dreams of glory fade along with your enthusiasm and energy come Wednesday. Mental preperation and strength is a huge factor abling you to hunt all week. I have found that telling my hunters what I wear hunting and why I wear it is the best way to take the guess work out of what they should bring to their first hunt up north tracking deer. We have a saying up here:"cotton kills". Wool is the best thing to wear, as it keeps you warm when wet, breaths and will dry over a wood stove at night. Rubber boots are a must. Don't try and rethink this one, just bring them. These recommendations and others for what to bring on your hunt will come from your guides experience. Every ones different but listen to him and as you get more expierence you can modify and find what works best for you. This is why you have a guide to help you prepare for the hunt and maximize your time afield. Conditions vary from year to year along with deer numbers. Your guide will help you deal with those things but remember he's tying together your ability with his knowledge to create a succesfull hunt. The knowledge is there well before you show up. Will your capability be there? The only way that it seems that I can explain what it takes to track a buck from a physical aspect is to get in the best shape of your life then get in better shape. I hate to say it but I have not found anything that can get you ready for the woods other than the woods. Don't think of this as being a no win situation and you'll never be able to do it. It's a lot about getting the right buck on the right day. Wrong day Buck won't leave a doe with three inchs of crusty snow and calm or buck that's searching far and wide for a doe that you will never catch with 6-8 in of powdery snow and a breeze enough to cover your movement in the woods. Put the buck with the doe and 6-8 in of snow and your gonna have a good day. The one thing is there is always a story at the end of the day when your on a buck track. Good or bad. So when is the right day and right buck going to come together well you don't know. That's why you have to be in shape enough to be ready to lay it all out there to catch that buck whether it be Monday or Saturday. This doesn't mean drive around till you find one to take your going to have to hunt for one and cover some ground and hopefully luck is on your side and you have several good chases during the week. That right buck might be that fourth chase and you still have to have something left in the tank to catch him after the first three. Are you getting the picture? So you've got that buck in front of you and your ready to shot or are you? This shot more than likely will be a explosion of snow and a streak of brown threw the slash. I tell hunters to bring the gun there most comfortable shooting because most shots are going to be quick and at a moving deer. You've got to get into your head there wont be any perfect shot, you just have to shoot. So keep in mind, you might not want trying to look through a scope that has rain or snow on it or work a bolt that cost you that open second shot. Everyone can sight in a gun. Learn to shot yours and the rewards could be more than you ever imagined. Why did all this happen because you got a guide. If your going with a reputable outfitter you should feel good about your guide. We all hunt the way we do to be effective in our home deer woods. Remember, your in the guides home woods, so a word of advise don't guide your guide. Your there to have the guide show you what he knows and some beautiful country along the way, all while still having fun. If you can approach the hunt this way, your guide might turn from a zero to a hero faster than you think.
These are a few thing to consider and work on before your big woods hunt this fall. I know it might seem early to think about this stuff but it really isn't. Good luck this fall, and remember we're a dying breed.
Pro Staffer
Kevin Harrison