If you want to get a buck this coming season, you may have to work to bring them in. Luring in deer is an art form and takes some practice to master. Here are a few tips for bringing in the big bucks:
Use an Attractant
A deer’s sense of smell is about 60 times better than a human’s. They use their noses to find food, a mate, and to protect themselves. However, you can use one of their best defense mechanisms to bait your deer. An excellent attractant will encourage bucks right where you want them. Purchase an attractant online or at a hunting goods store or considering making your own.
Use a Grunt Call
Use a grunt call to lure in bucks within earshot. Every half hour or so, let out two or three medium grunts with your buck call. This call will get their attention and bring them in. For the deer, you can see in the far distance, try a hale grunt to get their attention and lure them in with a handful of tending grunts.
Be Invisible
Now that you’ve lured your bucks, it’s important not to scare them off. One of the best ways to ensure you don’t frighten them is to be invisible. Of course, being invisible isn’t a viable option, but figuratively speaking, being invisible is your best shot. Here’s how you can become undetectable to a deer’s acute senses:
Camouflage — Easily hide in plain sight with the right camouflage. Did you know that studies have shown that deer are colorblind to colors with longer wavelengths? Deer are unable to distinguish colors like orange and red from green. That’s why hunter’s orange is safe to wear — unseen by the deer, seen by other hunters. When selecting your hunting gear, stick to greens and other colors that match your hunting environment and avoid bluish hues.
Pro Tip: Avoid wearing anything reflective. Deer may not be able to see red or orange, but they can easily see reflections off of metal, plastic, or other shiny materials.
Scent — Because a deer’s sense of smell is so keen, it is essential to mask your scent when hunting for a buck; otherwise, they’ll know right where you are. Use a cover scent to conceal yourself better.
Pro Tip: Avoid wearing any scents. This includes scented deodorant, laundry detergents, aftershave, and cologne.
Be Still — A deer’s ability to see and detect movement might be their best defense against hunters. Their sharp sense of sight not only picks up on colors (see camouflage above) but also movement.
Pro Tip: Consider using a tree stand to get out of the deer’s typical sightlines. Bonus, a tree stand will give you an elevated point of view, giving you a better shot.
Contact R & K Hunting Company
Luring in the big bucks is a learned skill — one the guides at R & K Hunting Company have mastered. Let our knowledgeable and experienced team guide your next hunt and make it a successful one. Book your next hunt with R & K Hunting Company today.