Tips & Tactics

Rethink Still-Hunting

Rethink Still-Hunting

By Ken Piper

Many hunters look on still-hunting – the art of slowly creeping through the woods hoping to sneak up on a big buck – as something to do when deer sightings are slow and patience runs out. Regular practitioners of the still-hunt, however, know it requires a great deal of patience – even more patience than stump-sitting.

The still-hunter not only has to concentrate on making each step as quiet as possible, he also must be alert and ready for a shot. It is extremely rare to approach a deer without it knowing that something is wrong. The chance for a shot can happen quickly, and the window of opportunity is small. If you aren’t ready to identify the target and make the shot in an instant, the opportunity will be gone.

If you want to add still-hunting to your arsenal of proven techniques and not just a walk when you’re bored, approach it with all the mental energy and positive expectation you have when first settling into your favorite stand.

Buckmasters has published several full-length articles on still-hunting techniques, but the basics are to go slow – like maybe one step every 30 seconds – and look. Then look some more.

There is an art to still-hunting, and it takes practice, so don’t let a few missed chances at spooked deer ruin your view of this highly productive technique.

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Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd