Gun Season

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, so does the long-awaited gun season. Kicking off the Monday after Thanksgiving and running until December 4th, gun season is sure to be an exciting time for most hunters. Opening day of gun season is the best day to take your deer. At that time, the deer haven't been heavily pressured and are more concentrated than later in the season. Not to mention, you're full of excitement and stamina for the hunt. By now, most hunters have scouted their grounds and know exactly where the deer are going to be passing through. This is a crucial step for a successful hunt. In this blog, I will go over some other expert tips and tricks to help you have a successful hunt.

Choice of Gun:

There are a few options for a gun here in Ohio, the most popular is the shotgun. Shotguns come in different calibers, which are the 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore. The most popular of these are the 12 gauge models, followed by the 20 gauge.

If you hunt in large open areas such as fields, or food plots, you may even consider taking out a .450 Bushmaster. It packs a powerful punch.

However, if you are in the market for something with less recoil, the 350 Legend is an alternative, and has become quite popular with deer hunters. Lucky for us, it is legal to shoot with a straight-wall cartridge here in Ohio.

While there are other options out there, these are the most common. Whichever gun you choose, make sure to sight it in!

Gear:

If you want to be prepared for opening day, you will want to make a list of must-haves to pack. Some of the top items are ammunition, hand warmers, deer cover scent, and your field dressing knife. Make sure to dress in layers, so you can adjust to the weather. I learned the hard way that a face mask is an essential part of hunting when sitting in a deer stand! You will also want a nice pair of waterproof boots. I prefer mine to be insulated, but they are available without.

Don't forget to take some water. Nothing ruins a hunt like getting dehydrated and developing a headache. A nice ham or turkey sandwich and some granola bars are good options for a quick lunch as you wait for deer to pass through.

The Hunt:

You should plan your route to the stand or blind you will be hunting from. One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is walking through the fields or clear cuts where the deer will be feeding. Silence is key. You will want to get to your setup as quickly and as quietly as possible. It's ideal to hunt downwind, so keep that in mind when setting. I would recommend having two separate stand or blind sites so you can take advantage of any situation.

Don't leave after a couple of hours because you haven't seen anything. The purpose of packing a lunch is so you can be ready when those deer decide to cross your path. Set your standards for what you are willing to leave with that day. Personally, if it's a decent-sized deer, antlered or not, I'm taking the first shot I get. I would hate to put all my time and effort into opening day to leave empty-handed because I waited to see a monster buck that never came my way. Whatever you decide, I wish every one of you a successful day in the woods. Make sure to share your pictures with us here at Vance Outdoors and enter our Big Buck Contest!