Most deer are taken by one of three methods: hunting from a stand, still-hunting, or glassing and stalking. The country decides which one works best.
Stand hunting
In whitetail country, a treestand or ground blind along a trail, a food source or a funnel between bedding and feeding areas is the most common setup. Wind direction decides where to sit, and a full-body safety harness is a must in any treestand.
Glassing and stalking
In open western and desert country, hunters spend hours behind binoculars on a tripod, picking apart hillsides to find bedded or feeding deer, then plan a stalk with the wind in their favor.
Calling and rattling
During the rut, a grunt call or a set of rattling antlers can pull a buck in to investigate. Call sparingly and be ready, since bucks often come in quietly from downwind.
Still-hunting
Still-hunting means moving slowly through cover, a few steps at a time, and spending more time looking than walking. It works best on wet days when footsteps are quiet.
