Deer hunting myths debunked!

[Cgrutt]

Let me start off that I'm not a hunter but have nothing against it just never had or took advantage of the opportunity to go. I was sitting in the waiting area waiting to get my hair cut and was browsing through an archery mag and came across an interesting article about deer hunting myths. Didn't actually get the chance to finish the article so I figured I'd rely on you fine gents to help fill in missing gaps and hopefully provide some good info to the community now that hunting season is upon us.

According to article the biggest myth is you can hide your scent from deer with special soaps, other products (e.g., cedar scrubs) and/or by wearing rubber boots during a hunt. According to article a deer will still be able to smell and be alerted to a human no matter what precautions and or rituals were taken. Article went on to state the best factor to eliminate sent is being downwind of your target. Makes sense to me.

Second myth discussed was hunting from a tree stand leads to inferior shots (potentially non-lethal and/or crippling) due to 1. shooting at angle causes impact area to move upward relative to level shot and 2. smaller vital zone when viewed from above. Article stated best reason to hunt from tree stand was for hunter to remain hidden from view and deer are pre-programmed to view at eye level or below, which I never really thought about but also makes sense. As far as myths 1. while true can be eliminated with practice and/or adjusting sights for downward ranges and 2. stated vital zone from above is actually wider than viewed straight on but spine runs through target area, which should not be a problem for modern equipment.

Another myth was slitting throat to bleed animal before field dressing. Stated enough blood was lost via modern equipment (both rifle and bow) and that slitting throat just makes it more difficult for taxidermist to repair if you wanted a mount.

So what are some other myths? Set the record straight!

[Tony]

You have to slit the throat while it is alive and before it gets loose from your lasso...

[Cgrutt]

You have to slit the throat while it is alive and before it gets loose from your lasso...

I know that's how Mek rolls, but wouldn't have figured this from you

[Tony]

Ooooops.

[Meketrefe]

Scent killers and other chit is designed to lure buyers and nothing else.
Use some odorless soap and hung your clothes outside in the shack for a couple of days and you will be fine.
Even if you decide to put some DG perfume and don't wash your pants from all the gasoil you spilled your best bet is to stay downwind.
Shooting from a tree or from above on a ridge is fine but one needs to understand the shot, angle and the anatomy of the animal considering the bullet is going to take a different angle.
The meat saver shot might be not possible so a good way to anchor the animal is a neck shot or one above the shoulder and into the plexus. Both will result in the instant collapse due to
disruption of the CNS. The bleeding will depend on what you are doing with the animal. The more they bleed, the better is for the meat. Less chance to spoil although soaking in water or milk
over night helps in several ways. If the deer is shot though the lungs it will bleed a lot but then you might have to go find it. The main thing is to avoid the 223 remington and other calibers
not really design to hunt with authority and send some bad ass mail. Your 6.8 is perfect for white tail.
If you are on a three and have a small pulley you can winch the animal hunging from the back quarters and this is the best way to bleed them and actually field dress them and skin them if
you want. The best would be to bring a nice stepped hitch/hanger and thread it through the tendons. This is so much easier imo or one can bring the mess home and do it in the garage. ??
I see some folks do this on the ground and that is ok if you have another person or at least the rope to keep things stretched. I don't like to bend so much anymore.

[Hunter]

I judge the wind with my cigarette and shoot a decent buck nearly every year.

[GooseGun]

The wind is your friend and your enemy. I find that to be the #1 key, but, I do wash and hang out my gear for a week or so before archery season starts. I no longer smoke, but I did see many deer with a smoke burning.

[Cgrutt]

That was kinda the point made by the article. Where you are relative to wind direction is what matters, not latest scent product or what you are eating/drinking/smoking...

[harleyhutch]

All are PREVENTIVE measures aimed at increasing your odds. Personally I hunt high strapped in, bring a thermos and if I nap, so be it, but also wash with unscented soap and hang my stuff out side. I can tell you this, My nephew and I practice scent control and have watched deer move off a mountain during drives, wind a watcher, change direction, wind another watcher and walk by either of us. Blending into your surroundings is important as well, but I seldom wear camo, I wear the old plaid wool checkered pattern and deer weren't alerted to my presence by blending in to trees, shrubs, even rock out croppings using shadows and a couple branches.

[BuellSix8]

I hunt from the ground so I live by the wind....bow, pistol, and rifle. I never got crazy with the soaps or scent locker. Get plenty of deer but what works for me may be different for everyone else.

[camper4lyfe]

I think there is SOME merit to the myth that shooting from a stand decreases the vital area. While it may increase the target a bit, it does decrease the number of vital organs a single shot can hit. From the ground, a good shot can take the heart and both lungs. From a stand, you cut that down to one or two lungs, and most likely missing the heart all together.

[big flash]

i have some friends that swear by ozonics and they shoot trophies almost every year during archery.
of course, they understand that playing the wind is preferred but you know some of these smarty pant old timer bucks like to circle around to the downwind side of what they are coming in on, right?
i've called in a couple big boys over the years that have made me just by circling around and catching the wrong whiff. just part of the game. but cover scents and good scent elimination practices can definitely increase your chances. They aren't the end all be all though.