A hunting method favored by many is to walk the woods roads and trails as quietly as possible, usually against the wind, with the hope of jumping a deer to shoot. I enjoy this type of hunting in the less heavily populated areas. By traveling quietly while constantly watching for game, a man will see many wilderness sights that will often repay him for the walk even if he fails to bag a deer. I have killed quite a few deer by using this method and have seen many others that I did not shoot. On two occasions I have seen sleeping deer before they awoke. I permitted one of these to make a successful escape without firing a shot, but I killed the other a nice eight-point buck'as soon as it started to run. I have always considered that these two hunts were equally successful, although a memory was the only reward for one of them.
One of the most important requirements for this type of hunting is good eyesight. Not necessarily 20-20 vision, but the ability to evaluate the constantly changing scene and to distinguish the difference between shadow and concrete objects. The ability to pick out one of the best camouflage of animals in its natural habitat. This hunting vision is not a thing that we are born with. It must be acquired and cultivated by hunting experience.
Most people seem to be looking for a picture-book deer when in the woods and fail to recognize the real thing until it starts to run. It is often too late then to do anything except to take a snap shot, through the brush, at a target that is hard to hit. When hunting in this manner, I do not look for deer, but watch for anything that seems to be unusual or out of place. By doing this, I see many things, as well as an occasional deer.
Motion, of course, is the first thing that attracts the eye, but motion in the woods seldom indicates a deer. I do not know of any place where deer so out number other animals that a person could expect all motion to be that of deer. Squirrels, rabbits, foxes, minks, weasels, grouse and other birds and animals will attract the eye, so that I have always had a slight feeling of surprise when motion in the woods turns out to be a deer. Nobody should have any trouble in identifying the motion of a deer that is startled and leaves the area in a rush with an upraised flag, but the one that tries to sneak off, or stands undecided, is a different matter. These deer may appear to be something other than deer and must be positively identified before it is safe to shoot. Sometimes motion that is thought to be something else turns out to be a deer, and in such cases the person who is able to see well will benefit by having a good hunting vision.
Good eyesight is a must for hunting deer to constantly evaluate the movements of the animal. It can be acquired by experience. And the books do not teach us all the tricks of the game which you can learn from doing them.
Deer hunting is a major pastime and hobby in many areas of the country but perhaps none so strongly adoring as the state of Texas. While many hunters are found throughout the south, the majority of deer hunting takes place in Texas, where several types of deer and other game and foul can be found for hunting purposes.
The most common type of deer found in Texas and throughout the southern region of the country is the whitetail, named such because its erect tail is white on the underside. This makes the species easily identifiable, especially in conjunction with their miniscule size compared to most other deer species and their tendency in youth to have spotting on the rear parts of the body. The second most popular target for deer hunting is perhaps the mule deer, a larger species that is also less regulated by hunting laws and restrictions.
Because it is such a common way to spend a few days during open season from late November to mid December, deer hunting is strongly regulated both to preserve the deer population and to assure the safety of hunters. The sport is set up so that no hunter takes advantage of the heavy population in a certain area and wastes the product; deer are to be killed and harvested with reserve, making sure that both hides and meat are used from each deer carcass. While trophy hunting is allowed, it is usually restricted to certain areas, and only one trophy taken per season per hunter under normal circumstances.
For the safety of all who partake of deer hunting, there are rules in regards to daylight and hunting. In Texas, you may not discharge a firearm from thirty minutes after dusk through thirty minutes before dawn. This is a safety precaution for other hunters, whose orange reflective gear will be unable to reflect enough light to be identified and could be hit with friendly fire by mistake. Also, fully automatic weapons are illegal throughout the state.
In deer hunting, you must also learn to respect the prey for which you aim, allowing them certain space. In Texas, there are some public areas where it is illegal to hunt, including federal and state parks and wildlife reserves and refuges. In these areas, the native wildlife is allowed to roam free and reproduce to keep the population in balance.
Deer hunting is a beloved tradition in many families, but it is necessary to obey the laws and to maintain safety while hunting as well as to have a good time. Laws and regulations are in place for the safety of the hunters and the preservation of wildlife for future generations of hunters, so ignoring them is to your own detriment.
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