Chapter 5: Preparation Before the Hunt
Preparing to Hunt Your Quarry
One of the most critical steps in preparation is educating yourself about
the game you’re hunting. Understanding your quarry will increase your
success and add to the enjoyment of the experience.
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Study Your Quarry
A prepared bowhunter will study the quarry and learn about the animal’s
habits, food preferences, habitat and other characteristics. Knowledge
of the animal’s anatomy will provide an aiming point in the vital
area.
Knowing game sign is also critical. Game sign provides clues that help
you locate game. Sight, hearing, smell and touch all come into play when
reading game signs. |
Visual Signs
- Tracks
- Scrapes or rubs made by head, antlers or hooves
- Scat (droppings)
- Terrain that may shelter or attract animals
- Trampled vegetation
- Hair or feathers
- Trails
- Browse (roughly torn twigs, buds or leaf endings)
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Auditory Signs
- Bleating or calling signs
- Calls from other animals, such as deer snorts
Scent Signs
Feel Signs
- Checking the freshness of signs or tracks
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Scout the Hunting Area
Scouting an area prior to the hunting season is another important part of
pre-hunt preparation.
- Topographical maps indicate features such as water, fields and wooded areas.
- Careful, slow travel in the area may identify game trails, bedding areas,
waterholes and other game sign that will be extremely valuable when hunting
season opens.
- "Stump-sitting" is a great way to quietly observe the area without
disturbing the wildlife. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times
for spotting game.
- The best time to scout is after the hunting season and before leaf-out.
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