|
The Rock Hunting Outfitters: 937-549-4855
- Doug Ruehl - Our specialty is bowhunting whitetail deer! We
will set you up in the areas that we feel present the best
bowhunting opportunity for you to harvest a beautiful Ohio Whitetail
Deer. Enjoy lodging at our vacation home, complete with
private bed and bath rooms, fully equipped kitchen, dining and
living room.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Marlowe Outdoors: 740-215-6067 - Kate &
Scott Marlowe - Our guided Ohio Whitetail Deer hunts run from
October thru January. Deer hunts include accommodations and 2
meals a day, as well as local transportation.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Southern Ohio Outfitters: 740-288-5222
- Dave Lusk - Located in Central Ohio, Jackson County. Our
trophy whitetail deer hunts are all 100% fair chase on over 6500
acres of prime managed whitetail deer habitat private land. No
hidden fees when you hunt with us! Hunts include meals and
lodging at our spacious log cabin.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Big Pine Outfitters: 740-332-1815 -
Troy Timmons - 100% Fair chase hunts with chances at 130-150"
whitetail deer! Enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding our
comfortable log cabin, complete with all the comforts of home.
Home cooked meals!
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Ohio Farm Country Outfitters:
419-569-3100 - Troy Young - Central Ohio in Bucyrus. Fair
chase, no fences on over 1500 private acres of prime whitetail deer
hunting land. Hunt with your gun or bow. Deer hunts are
typically 5 days and tags are available over the counter.
Comfortable lodging and delicious meals are part of your deer hunt.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Ohio Bow & Arrow Outfitters:
740-872-3057 - Dick Hall - Muskingum County Ohio, about 55 miles
east of Columbus. Specializing in bow hunting Whitetail Deer -
100% fair chase.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Muskingum County Outfitters: 740-819-8117
- Doug Buzard - Muskingum County - the best county for trophy
whitetail deer! Typical hunts are 5 days. Prime deer
hunting time is late October and November. Choose to hunt our guided
hunt or our all inclusive deer hunt while staying at our comfortable
cabin.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Buck'eye Outfitters of Ohio: 740-254-9156
or 330-260-7742 - Jody Gardner - Tuscawaras County, one of the top
producing for Ohio Whitetail Deer! Ohio is ranked 2nd in the
nation for P&Y and B&C bucks and we've got 'em at Buck'eye
Outfitters of Ohio!
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Pine Ridge Outfitters: 740-385-4593 -
Kenny Cox - Hunt for trophy whitetail Bucks in Southeast Ohio. We
hunt some of Ohio's top trophy counties. We have over the counter
Deer tags. You can use bow and arrow or crossbow, your choice.
Free Ohio Deer Hunting Info!
Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunting Tips
Scouting for Ohio Whitetail Deer:
-
 Hunting with a Pro
Ohio Guide, Outfitter, Lodge or Ranch:
Your pro Ohio deer hunter should have intimate knowledge of
Whitetail Deer activity for the area you will be hunting.
He may have deer trail photos and other good indications of deer
activity. Be sure to ask about tree stand or blind
placement, guide services and recent hunting reports on the area
you will be hunting. You may not be able to scout yourself
if you are hunting with a pro, but the pro should be doing his
homework and know exactly where the deer are. Most of our
pro Whitetail hunting guides and outfitters spend thousands (and
thousands) of dollars each year maintaining acres of food plots,
water sources, mineral licks and some provide feeders year round
to keep the deer from traveling too far away during the summer
months. In addition to this, they maintain comfortable
accommodations close to the hunting area.
- Best Time to Scout for Ohio Whitetail Deer: It is
important to scout your hunting area on a regular basis, but not
so much that you put undue pressure on the herd. Some feel
it is best to scout right after deer season is over, and then
you know where the deer go when they are pressured. During
deer season, as you are on the way to and from your stand is
another time to be on the lookout for deer sign. Turn into
"Monk" and look for clues to the patterns and routines of your
deer herd. Some hunters believe that if you scout often
enough, the herd is less alarmed by the visits. It may
take the edge off the big bucks come hunting season.
- Look for Obvious Whitetail Deer Sign: Scan for
fresh deer droppings, fresh deer tracks, well-used deer trails,
feeding areas and bedding areas. Be on the lookout for
buck rubs (on the trees) and scrapes (on the ground). The
bigger the tree, the bigger the buck. The bigger the
scrape, the bigger the buck.
- Deer Tracking in Muddy Areas: Let nature help
you by searching for tracks in muddy areas like creek bottoms.
These are all great indicators you have an active deer area and
a good place to hunt, and it is easier to tell if the tracks are
fresh.
- Deer Tracking Along Fence Lines: While
searching for deer trails along fence rows, look for low spots
in the fence. This may indicate a deer trail. Look
for the obvious signs of dropping, tracks. If you see deer
sign, it may be a good location for a deer stand.
- Wipe the Deer Tracks: If you are unsure if your
deer tracks are fresh, you can remove a section of the deer
track and check it the next day. If you have fresh tracks,
you have a hot deer spot!
- Look for Funnel Areas: Be aware of other hunter
locations and movements. Watch to see where the deer go
when they are under pressure. These areas are called
"funnel areas" and can help you get the maximum deer
concentration.
- Big Bucks are Smart: When you find a
heavily-trafficked trail, look from 5-20 feet on either side of
the trail and you may find a parallel deer trail used by the
bigger, older and smarter bucks.
- When Did That Buck Pass? Carry a red sewing
thread with you on your next deer scouting trip. If you
find a trail, but are not sure if it is an active trail, you can
tie a thread between two trees about the height of the antlers.
Check it the next day and see if the thread has been snapped.
This is a fun and exciting way to gauge deer trail activity.
- Where the Girls Are: When scouting for your big
buck, be on the look out for where does congregate, bed and
feed. If you plan to hunt the rut, you will have better
luck finding the trophy whitetail deer if you know where his
sweetheart is.
- Whitetail Deer Food Plots: There are scores of
books and tips available for planning and maintaining active
food plots. If you have access to your own deer hunting
property, be sure to implement at least a few small food plots
to attract the deer and keep them happy and fed.
Preparing for Your Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunt:
-
 Safety First: Be sure you have the standard
safety items included in your hunting gear. If you are
using a tree stand, don't forget the safety straps. Wear
your required hunter's orange. Use a check-in system if
you are hunting alone. If your cell phone is out of range,
perhaps a walkie-talkie is a better item to keep on you.
Carry enough water and snacks in case you are out longer than
expected.
- Hunting The Ohio Deer Rut: Traditionally the best time to
kill a nice trophy whitetail with a 'swol-up' neck is during the
rut. If you
are hunting in an unfamiliar area, perhaps with one of our pro
Ohio
deer hunting guides, be sure to research when the rut is for
that area. It is different from state to state.
- Hunting Camo: If you are traveling to a
different area to hunt, check with your pro Ohio whitetail deer
hunting guide or outfitter about the best patterns to use for
that area AND that time of year. In colder climates,
layering is the best way to stay warm and dry.
- Hunting Boots: Warm, comfortable and high
quality hunting boots will be worth every penny you spend and
make your deer hunt much more enjoyable.
- Quality Optics: This can be a big investment,
but if you plan to do spot and stalk or a lot of deer scouting,
they will be worth the investment.
- Sharp Skinning Knife: Need I say more?
You want to be ready to clean that trophy deer, unless your pro
guide is doing it for you! If you are handling this
yourself, make sure you also have a strong cord or nylon rope
for dragging the deer. If you plan to mount the deer, be
careful not to drag the hide off the shoulders.
- Quiet Rain Gear: Just because it's raining does
not mean the deer won't be moving. It just makes it more
pleasant if you can stay dry during your hunt (when possible.)
- Get Your Weapon Skills in Shape: Prior to your
hunt, are really all through the year, it is a good idea to stay
in practice with your weapon. If you are a bowhunter, keep
those draw muscles in shape and improving by practicing a few
times a month at a local archery range. Competitions can
be a fun way to stay in tune. If you are deer hunting with
a rifle, maintain your gun and have it checked prior to gun
season by a trusted gunsmith for detailed cleaning. Indoor
ranges are great, but there is nothing like practicing out in
nature with all the distractions of weather, birds, and other
animals. When you spot a nice trophy and get a touch of
'buck fever' the best way to get a grip on yourself is to have
the confidence that comes only from practicing often and
accurately. When traveling to your lodge, be sure to
site-in your weapon to make sure things did not get out of
alignment.
- Know Your Way: This excellent tip will help you
get to your pre-placed deer stand or blind with minimal noise
and assurance you are going in the right direction. Put
reflective tape cut into small squares on thumb-tacks and place
them in key locations at eye-level so you can easily find them
with a small flash light. You will be in your stand before
the sun comes up and the deer start moving with no chance of
getting off track.
During Your Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunt:
-
 Tree Stand Placement: All your hard spent time
scouting should have you ready to place your deer stand in a
location that is out of site, yet in a highly trafficked area.
Considerations for sun placement (at your back if possible) and
wind (down wind) can be vitally important.
- Don't Get Winded: You must address the
phenomenal ability of a whitetail deer to 'wind' a human.
NO SMOKING, and some people even avoid coffee prior to a bow
hunt. What are you washing your hunting clothes in?
Is your deodorant scented? Do your hunting boots, well,
smell like hunting boots? What did you eat for breakfast
at camp (Hopefully nobody decided to cook bacon for breakfast!)
Perfumed washing powder, scented shampoos and soaps can be a
killer for your bow hunt. In addition to covering your
scent, there are hundreds of products designed to attract the
trophy to your area. Find out what works best for the time
of year you are planning your hunt. Doe pee might
not be so effective if you are not hunting during the rut.
- Be Invisible: The camo clothes manufactures
have made this much easier than it used to be. Primarily
consider what your hunting environment and habitat are, and then
plan accordingly. Rid yourself of shiny or reflective
areas on your equipment. Wear camo hats and face
masks. The more you blend with the habitat around you, the
more chance of a successful deer hunt. If you are using a
tree stand, make sure the placement is well-planned to be out of
sight, yet in a game traffic area.
- Be Quiet: Practice being very quiet not only
getting to your stand or blind, but also during the hunt.
Use quiet equipment, soft, quiet clothing, walk quietly, wear
quiet footgear, and get good at moving to your hunting area very
early and very quietly. If you suffer with allergies, make
sure you take an antihistamine before your hunt. It'd be a
shame to spot a nice trophy deer just in time to start a
sneezing attack! In addition to being quiet, also learn
the techniques of calling deer with calls or horn rattling.
Your pro deer hunting guide knows what techniques work best for
the deer in their area.
- Hunting During the Ohio Deer Rut: During the peak of the
rut is when rattling for deer, calling for deer and using the
famous deer scents can be most effective. Your pro
outfitter will have keen insight as to what works best on the
trophy deer in his area. Rattling, calling and scent
techniques are often given by the manufacturer of the products.
The manufacturers of these deer products have spent fortunes
researching what works best and when to use the techniques.
Follow their guidelines, but don't be afraid to experiment
yourself if you have an interesting idea.
- Ready, Aim, Fire! Not Fire, Ready, Aim.
In taxidermy studios across the country, scores of nice trophy
deer arrive with great big racks that have taken a few hits.
Hunters nearly always say they did not shoot the racks, but
someone did. That was the deer that got away! Be
sure to take a deep breath, steady your aim, and shoot in the
kill zone.
Tracking Your Ohio Whitetail Deer:
-
 Flag
the Area You Were At When You Shot the Deer: You
may need to pin-point this later.
- Flag the Area the Deer Was When Shot: You
will need to know this to follow any trails leading away
from the area. This is important also so you can
possibly look for a bullet landing or arrow. If you
find the bullet unbloodied, you may have missed the deer.
- Look for Blood, Broken Bones, Hair, Broken Branches:
Wounding a deer does not always provide telltale
signs. I have killed deer before that never bled a drop of
blood externally nor was there any visible hair at the site
of the shooting. Other times, the blood trail is very
obvious and easy to track. If you can't easily find a blood
trail or any other signs that you have wounded the deer,
take some time to align the location you were at when you
shot with the spot where you think the deer stood. Look from
all angles and directions and search carefully for broken
small branches where a bullet may have hit and deflected.
Also look for large trees you may have hit. Yes, we have all
done it at one time or another. You need also to search for
places where a bullet may have hit the ground and furrowed
up the soil. If you find any of these, mark them with your
flagging tape. Try to determine the outcome of each bullet
that you fired.
- Don't Try to "Catch" the Deer: Deer will
not run long distances even when completely healthy. They
certainly are not going to run far if they have been
wounded. Sometimes just sitting down and taking a break for
15 or 20 minutes will give the deer a chance to lay down and
die. So, relax and do all the right things so you can go
home at night knowing you did not leave a wounded or dying
deer in the woods.
- If You Are Sure You Shot The Deer, Don't Give Up! If
you continue to mark each sign you have found and continue
following the trail, you will eventually find your deer.
This doesn't always happen but more times than not it will.
Don't give up simply because there is no blood or hair or
bones. Attempt to track the deer by following where it dug
up leaves or earth when it ran away. If there is no blood
trail, slowly follow these tracks and keep looking. Very
often deer will not start bleeding until sometime after they
have been hit. Have toilet paper to mark your blood
trail, flash lights and lanterns in the truck. A good
hunting buddy will come in handy, too.
- Is There A Water Source Nearby? Many times
deer instinctively go to the water when they are injured.
- Approach Your Deer With Caution: Approach a
downed deer with caution, and be sure it is dead. Assuming a
well-placed shot with modern ammunition, enough blood
vessels will often be severed to bleed the deer without
additional sticking in the neck. Many careful hunters do
bleed their deer by sticking just above the breastbone.
Caring For Your Trophy Ohio Deer:
- For Compete Field Dressing Instructions: Visit
www.learn-taxidermy.com/field_dressing_deer.htm
- Aging The Deer Meat: Age the deer
carcass in a cool, dry place. Aging of well cared for
carcasses at correct temperatures yields better
flavored, more tender meat. Best results are obtained in
a near-constant temperature, preferably from 34 to 36
degrees Fahrenheit. Aging for one to two weeks is about
right for the best quality venison, depending on the age
and condition of the animal.
- Mounting Your Trophy Ohio Deer: If you
plan to mount your deer, get specific instructions from
your taxidermist about where to make your cuts in the
cape. A high percentage of deer come in to shops
with the cape cut way too short for mounting purposes.
To be safe, cut off the legs and make your incision
behind the front legs. Roll the cape up the neck
and cut the head off at the neck, saving the cape.
Store in a plastic bag in the freezer.
|
