HUNTING TIPS To make you a more successful hunter.

Hi, I 'll keep adding tips here as I go so keep in touch. 

• Early morning and just on dusk are prime times to hunt, so get out of bed early, well before dawn and be prepared to stay out until after dark.  My son Tim guided a friend to a trophy Sika last year (186DS) which they shot right on the very first rays of dawn. A minute later and he would have been gone - they did know he was in the area which was a help.
• Plan your hunt - the reason they got the stag, apart from being there early, was they had planned to be in a certain place at a certain time. You may not need to be that specifc, but certainly plan your trips, while realising that things may change as you go. 
• Hunt clearings, river flats and more open areas on dawn and dusk. You will often catch deer still out feeding or moving back into cover. In areas with little hunting pressure animals may stay out for some time.
• While I have found dawn and dusk the best times to catch deer out, don't neglect clearings at other parts of the day. One very experienced Sika hunter with his own private block tells me he sees lots of Sika on clearings mid morning to midday.  
• Try and hunt with the wind in your face. However, just because the wind isn't quite right,don't give up - it often eddies back just over a ridge - just watch the mist or cloud on a windy day. 
• Remember wind drift can be a significant factor. A good rule of thumb is the wind travels up a valley first thing as it heats up and down a valley on evening as the day cools. 
• Try and hunt off the ridges so you are a little higher than your quarry. In any case it is easier to look down than up.
• Don't give up because things don't seem to be going right - you never know what is around the next corner!
• Don't waste your time in areas that have little or no sign - move on and look for better territory. 

Think SAFETY at all times. Here is a good tip - if you can fully identify the sex of an animal, then you can be certain it is a deer! If there is any doubt at all, don't shoot. Remember most hunting fatalities are caused by mates! If you are reckless, you may as well go hunting for life insurance quotes  'A THINKING HUNTER IS A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL HUNTER'

• Spend plenty of time on your butt, watching with a good pair of binoculars, especially if you are in open or semi open country. You will be surprised what you see. Don't be in a hurry! Sure, move quickly and quietly in non productive areas, but in other areas move slowly.
• 'There is more to knowing than knowing will ever know'. By that I mean that intuition is a key to a successful hunter. The best hunters do the basics right, but then have a' feeling' about what next to do. This is not something you can teach, but comes as you spend time in the field.
• Get to know an area really well. If I go into a new area it generally takes me up to a week to know the best gullies to hunt, the way the wind moves, the lay of the land and the best way to approach certain key areas. Find a good area and stick to it for a while. 
• Watch your noise levels - human voices carry a long way! Make sure you tread lightly and don't thump your feet down. A noise like a thump is a warning sound. As well try and avoid cracking twigs underfoot - deer have very good hearing and they will pick up any unusual sounds very quickly.
• When you come to a ridge in the bush, or the edge of a gully, pause and look carefully before moving on. You are in effect venturing into a new area and if there is sign about be very cautious. 

Make a conscious choice before you go out hunting that you will positively identify your target.   Considering that over 60% of hunting fatalities are where people shoot their mates, you need to first choose carefully who you hunt with and their attitude to safety!

• When you are hunting around a track or a flat area on the side of a gully don't walk on the edge as you will be easily seen or should I say your movement will be. Hug the bank away from the edge and then sneak over to have a look, before moving back and along.
• Face your fear factor - most of us don't like the idea of getting lost and this fear can stop hunters from going into new areas or indeed from venturing far from a track. Take a good map - I colour photocopy the section for the area I am going into and then mark on it grid references for my GPS before I have it laminated.A word of warning - double check the references you write on your map and make sure to take a compass as well.
• Stay out if you can until dark - in many areas where there is significant hunting pressure animals and especially stags may not come out on clearings or river flats until just on dark. I don't blame them, do you! 
• If an animal spots you, just freeze -you will be surprised at the number of times they will continue feeding. Just stay where you are for a short while though, as it may look up at you again within a short time especially if it is suspicious. 
• A great weather site I just discovered is MetVUW.com - check it out. Remember knowing what the weather is likely to do can help you plan your hunt and may also be a prudent thign to do safety wise! 
• Impending bad weather can bring the deer out - they seem to know when a front is approaching.
• Foggy mornings can be really great hunting - for some reason the deer seem to think it is still dark and stay out longer.

When you are hunting NEVER assume anything! Never assume because you cannot see anything, there is nothing there! Never assume because you cannot see them, they cannot see you! Never assume that the noise you hear or the movement you see is a deer because it sounds and looks like a deer - it may be your mate who shouldn't be there! A couple of gear safety tips. 1. When you are with a group of hunters, or even your best mate, have an agreement that none of you will touch another persons rifle without the other persons permission! We have practiced that for years - saves a lot of hassle!   2. When back at a hut, if you leave your rifle against the wall or on bed, ALWAYS have the bolt open - same deal when you have it in a vehicle. You can then see it is safe.