If you haven't been feeding, it may be a little harder to get them to come in, but once you start, it usually doesn't take long for them to find it. Anyway, you would have a better chance of them not smelling you if you are up in a tree as opposed to being in a ground blind. As you will find out, bow hunting is easier said than done. The slightest little mistake can ruin a hunt. It is all a learning experience. Just make sure you watch the deer until it is out of sight so you have a better chance of finding a blood trail, because unlike rifle hunting, arrows don't have the knock down power so animals can run much farther. If you don't have scent lock clothing, you can just use the spray scent neutralizer. Remember, every little movement can get noticed. Good luck. Keep us posted with pics after you get you one.

 

get high in the tree climber, I like to get "at least" 25 to 30 ft up. This will help keep the deer from smelling you and seeing you, especially when you draw.

 

Game Trail

If you have not been feeding, I would just look for some good signs of where they are moving through and set up. Throw some corn out and hope for the best. I would put the corn out the night before. In addition, if you have a open field to over look I like to set up in a corner. This way you can grunt some of them bucks in.



Just remember if you climb up high your arrow will rise a little so shot a little low so that you don't shot over the back.



Redfish Bob

 

Definitely find a game trail and set up on it. I like to do this even if I am feeding during bow season. Bucks are not as likey to come into the feeder this time of year before dark. A spray neutralizer as said above will suffice if you are off the ground and make sure you don't use any other scents yet in the year. Many may not agree with me on this but in my opinion it is a waste of money to put out any scents right now and chances of it drawing any deer are slim. I'd put away the grunt call as well unless you plan to use it to stop a deer. My ways aren't the best or only ways just what I have learned through my experience. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Brian

 

I would go the extra mile and purchase scent killer soap for you and some laundry scent killer for your clothes. Purchase a scent free carbon lined bag and put your clothes in there after they dry. Shower before you go out. Take your climber, find some trails and as neckdeep says, get high up in a tree. Also, if you want you can take some deer corn and spread it around, within 10 to 15 yards of the tree you are in. This should distract them while you are to draw or not. Make sure you have your arrow nocked before the deer arrive. That is the first thing I do when I reach my desired level. Good luck!

 

The only other thing that I would add to all of the above is some sort of Deer attractant mixed with your corn. I like C'Mere Deer in the powder form. I have used this product and have shot deer over it. It's 98% luck and 2% skill. It's not what you get on the hunt but it's the hunt that counts. Good luck.

 

I use and have used Coyote urine for 20 yrs for both cover scent and a few drops where I want the deer to STOP for a shot. I ALWAYS put a few drops on my rubber boots a 100 yrds or so from my stand, a few drops on the tree I'm in, both at the base and at the height I hunt from. The key here is 'a few drops'. If you get m on corn before season starts make a pile where you comfortable taking a shot. I would highly recomend taking a shot on the first deer that you get a oppertunity on as more deer means more eyes. Heres a link to where I get my Coyote urine, I get a pint EVERY yr and use a small dispenser. http://www.rpoutdoors.com/index.html WW

 

All of the above plus don't forget your safty harness and make sure someone knows where you are and about what time you plan to return from your stand. Also, I live in Huntsville and not far from Livingston, our deer seem to be a little bit spookier than deer I hunt in the hill country or south Texas. You are going to need to be extra quiet and still. I have seen some quality bucks taken from around Livingston. Best of luck to you and be SAFE.

 

thanks for the help.

 

If you're grandpa still lives there he may be able to point you to where you are seeing deer to get you started. If not then find an edge line like along the side where a clear cut or hay field meets some woods. Prefferably hardwoods but any woods is better than none. YOu can get about 15 yards back into the woods and hunt about 15 ft up in a tree. A safety is a must have item. If you can get about 20 yards in the woods off a corner of the field, the deer may cut the corner of the field just inside the woodline to keep from being seen or getting into the open. If you get higher in the tree it is more dangerous the higher you climb (in theory) and it affects the angle of your shot. If the deer are within 20 yards you may want to aim a little low ( inch or two), past that and just aim where you want to hit. If you know of any persimmon (or any fruit trees) or white oak trees you may want to hunt close to them. White oaks will more than likely fall later in Oct rather than early season.
good luck and take some pics.
Ditto on throwing out a little corn in front of you, it will give them something to stop and eat a little while you make the shot.

 

Good advise from outlaw about being 15 foot up. Fifteen is usually high enough and getting higher makes your killzone seem smaller and can increase the chances of a spine shot or only hitting one lung.( you want to take out both lungs).
If your gonna hunt on a trail, figure the wind direction and hunt from a tree about fifteen yards downwind of the trail. If your right on the trail then your shot will be straight down or the deer will be coming right at you or straight away. None of those are prefered shots.
Try to wear boots that you have not run all over town in. Rubber boots are good if you gottem.
Wear a safety harness or belt, it only makes sense.
Good luck to ya, it can be tough but after your first kill you will be hooked.
Oh yea, avoid shooting at deer that know you are there.