New to the site and to hunting

[Ballistic rph]

Hey guys. I’m in south central PA and I’m taking up hunting this year. I’ll only be doing rifle season in late November/December. Planning on scouting out some of the game lands around me with an old timer and on my own some time next month. I’ll probably be still hunting on my own but might be able to get out with a couple buddies. Trying to keep my expectations low but just wanted to ask if you guys had any advice or tips for a newbie.

 

[Bmoore]

As a south central PA hunter myself, just be courteous when scouting. Archery opens in under two weeks. Many, including myself are excited to get out and hunt. Public land is open to everyone and your welcome to do as you please. But just out of respect for fellow hunters be mindful of other hunters in areas your scouting. If you go running through an area someone else has scouted all summer and blow the spot out the other hunter is likely to be a bit upset with you.
As for advice, especially during rifle season try to put some miles in. Find overlooked spots away from access points. The deer will be pushed back into these spots by the hunting pressure. If your still hunting, that’s a great way to cover ground and scout on your in. Use google maps or BaseMap/ OnX to find spots you think may hold deer and scout/hunt your way to those spots slowly. Walk slowly stopping to looks for bedded deer. I’ve still hunted rifle season a lot and find that to be the best way for me during rifle season. Just slowly walk into areas I expect deer to be and move slow enough that you see them before they get up, or if they spook they do so slowly and you may just get a shot opportunity as they look around to see what spooked them.
Good luck this year! Hunting can be very challenging but if you stick with it and put in th time, you can be rewarded.

 

[Ballistic rph]

Much appreciated Bmoore. I'm hoping to get out a bit before october so I don't disturb anyone already set up.

 

[Spm]

Hey guys. I’m in south central PA and I’m taking up hunting this year. I’ll only be doing rifle season in late November/December. Planning on scouting out some of the game lands around me with an old timer and on my own some time next month. I’ll probably be still hunting on my own but might be able to get out with a couple buddies. Trying to keep my expectations low but just wanted to ask if you guys had any advice or tips for a newbie.

Invest in a quality climbing stand when you can there a great tool for hunting white tales. Especially on public lands.

 

[ThatGuySteve]

Invest in a quality climbing stand when you can there a great tool for hunting white tales. Especially on public lands.

I've been looking into getting a climber any that you recommend?

 

[ThatGuySteve]

As a south central PA hunter myself, just be courteous when scouting. Archery opens in under two weeks. Many, including myself are excited to get out and hunt. Public land is open to everyone and your welcome to do as you please. But just out of respect for fellow hunters be mindful of other hunters in areas your scouting. If you go running through an area someone else has scouted all summer and blow the spot out the other hunter is likely to be a bit upset with you.
As for advice, especially during rifle season try to put some miles in. Find overlooked spots away from access points. The deer will be pushed back into these spots by the hunting pressure. If your still hunting, that’s a great way to cover ground and scout on your in. Use google maps or BaseMap/ OnX to find spots you think may hold deer and scout/hunt your way to those spots slowly. Walk slowly stopping to looks for bedded deer. I’ve still hunted rifle season a lot and find that to be the best way for me during rifle season. Just slowly walk into areas I expect deer to be and move slow enough that you see them before they get up, or if they spook they do so slowly and you may just get a shot opportunity as they look around to see what spooked them.
Good luck this year! Hunting can be very challenging but if you stick with it and put in th time, you can be rewarded.

Have you still hunted with a bow? Just wondering if you change your approach in any notable way besides getting closer obviously haha

 

[Spm]

I've been looking into getting a climber any that you recommend?

Summit or API

 

[Bmoore]

Have you still hunted with a bow? Just wondering if you change your approach in any notable way besides getting closer obviously haha

I’ve scouted with bow in hand. Wouldn’t really call it still hunting as I’ve never had shot opportunities. More than once I’ve bumped deer lightly who ran 50 yards and then stopped and looked around for what bumped them. With a rifle that becomes a great opportunity. With a bow it’s not nearly as easy. That being said I’m sure some guys have pulled off a still hunt with the bow. But I don’t think it’s nearly as viable as it is with the rifle.

 

[ThatGuySteve]

I’ve scouted with bow in hand. Wouldn’t really call it still hunting as I’ve never had shot opportunities. More than once I’ve bumped deer lightly who ran 50 yards and then stopped and looked around for what bumped them. With a rifle that becomes a great opportunity. With a bow it’s not nearly as easy. That being said I’m sure some guys have pulled off a still hunt with the bow. But I don’t think it’s nearly as viable as it is with the rifle.

I agree, you'd almost have to crawl to get close enough if they weren't too on edge already.

 

[ThatGuySteve]

Summit or API

Alright I'll check those out thanks!

 

[dallas.kc]

I would look at getting a hang on stand and sticks to start out. Much more versatile, don’t have to worry about finding a perfectly straight tree with minimal limbs on it. Just my $0.02. Get the best you can afford. I started out with hawk helium sticks this year and an xop vanish hang on and recently upgraded to 3 beast sticks with cable aiders. Mobile public whitetail hunting is a rabbit hole that goes deep.

The YouTube channel “The Hunting Public” is a great resource, as well as “The Hunting Beast” forum and YouTube channel by Dan Infalt. Both of those channels did a public land challenge in PA this year. Check them out


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[ThatGuySteve]

I would look at getting a hang on stand and sticks to start out. Much more versatile, don’t have to worry about finding a perfectly straight tree with minimal limbs on it. Just my $0.02. Get the best you can afford. I started out with hawk helium sticks this year and an xop vanish hang on and recently upgraded to 3 beast sticks with cable aiders. Mobile public whitetail hunting is a rabbit hole that goes deep.

The YouTube channel “The Hunting Public” is a great resource, as well as “The Hunting Beast” forum and YouTube channel by Dan Infalt. Both of those channels did a public land challenge in PA this year. Check them out


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Good info thanks! I'm going to look into all that as well appreciate it. I'm new to stand hunting so I didn't think of hangers being more versatile but I could see based off of your description the benefits.

 

[Cfriend]

John Eberhart is another great resource on hunting public land deer. He has written multiple books and now has a youtube channel as well. His views on scent control are pretty extreme, and I'm not sure if I fully agree with them but there is no question that he's had great results.

Still-hunting with a bow is certainly doable, but does require a lot of patience and concentration - it can be especially effective during the rut when the bucks are on the move and less alert. The guys from the Hunting Public (mentioned in a previous post) actually seem to hunt that way fairly often and have great success.

Another option for a stand is a tree saddle. I would say it is the most versatile and lightweight option, but does require more practice and isn't for everyone. They've recently become very popular and you can find a lot of info on the internet - there's even an entire forum about it: saddlehunter.com.

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[ThatGuySteve]

John Eberhart is another great resource on hunting public land deer. He has written multiple books and now has a youtube channel as well. His views on scent control are pretty extreme, and I'm not sure if I fully agree with them but there is no question that he's had great results.

Still-hunting with a bow is certainly doable, but does require a lot of patience and concentration - it can be especially effective during the rut when the bucks are on the move and less alert. The guys from the Hunting Public (mentioned in a previous post) actually seem to hunt that way fairly often and have great success.

Another option for a stand is a tree saddle. I would say it is the most versatile and lightweight option, but does require more practice and isn't for everyone. They've recently become very popular and you can find a lot of info on the internet - there's even an entire forum about it: saddlehunter.com.

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I'm definitely going to check that out thank you

 

[Smalljawbasser]

I’m gonna mention something different. I’m also going to make an assumption that might be wrong so my apologies if I’m off base.

you can’t be too familiar with your rifle. Shoot it and shoot it often. From a bench, off hand, kneeling, prone. Cold bore, warm bore, clean and dirty. Cycle rounds through the magazine. Cold, warm, sunny and rainy. Scope turned up, scope turned down.

 

[Appalachian Mtnman]

I’m gonna mention something different. I’m also going to make an assumption that might be wrong so my apologies if I’m off base.

you can’t be too familiar with your rifle. Shoot it and shoot it often. From a bench, off hand, kneeling, prone. Cold bore, warm bore, clean and dirty. Cycle rounds through the magazine. Cold, warm, sunny and rainy. Scope turned up, scope turned down.

I 100% agree. Not only do you need to be confident with your weapon but as a newbie you many have trigger anxiety (difficult to slowly squeeze trigger and rushes shots) or flinch whenever the triggered is pulled. Practice will minimize it. Plus the worse feeling in the world is wounding an animal because of laziness. We all as hunters have experienced what you have (and will) experience. Find old hunters as mentors and friends and you will learn fast and have someone to look up to. But experience (trail and error) is a great teacher as well. Try to learn and analyze from every hunt to keep mind turning. Good luck!

 

[Appalachian Mtnman]

Also, you will eventually see failure and new hunters can take it hard. Keep your head high and have friends keep you up too! Just remember, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

 

[Spm]

Alright I'll check those out thanks!

You're welcome.