With the wealth of wisdom in this group I thought it would be appreciated by all if we shared our favorite tip, trick or hack.

Make your own scent cover. Use the vegetation in your area. I use cedar mesquite pine and sage. Put in a pot and bring to a rolling boil for about 10 minutes. Strain into a spray bottle using a coffee filter or paper towel.

If you have a dry bag or large ziplock pot some ice in it to keep your beverage cool on those warmer days.

Pack some vegetation with your hunt clothes to keep the scent of the area you hunt.

Mark blood trails with toilet paper. Easy to see and degrades rapidly.

Make sure others know where you are going and when you will be back. Check ins are important. If you are in the southern areas you may want to notify Border Patrol of your camp and stands for quicker access in an emergency.

Remember to take 2 pens for completing your tag and harvest log. One always seems to fail. I put enough electrical tape on the pen to make sure I can secure my tag to the deer and make sure I have a couple of zip ties as well.

A light behind a water jug makes a a nice lantern by dispersing the light.

Practice walking/stalking with a half bottle of tic-tacs.

The last 30 minutes in the stand is brutal due to the PP dance that is going on. Made a solution with a funnel and old garden hose

I’ll add as I can. Let’s hear yours.

The Mule Deer Trick

If you & a buddy see a muley while driving down a road (in your hunting area), have the driver stop for a second while the passenger jumps out. The driver should immediately continue driving. The mule deer will continue to watch the truck oblivious to the hunter who just exited regardless of what side of the truck he’s on.

you gotta go when you gotta go!

i always pack a foldable shovel with me for #2 dig a hole like a cat, do your stuff, cover it up.

Those are some good tips. I already do one of them. I put cedar clipping in a tub with my hunting clothes.

Something else I do is save small pull bottles and put foam ear plugs in them. Keep one in my truck, one in my deer backpack, one in my dove vest, and one in my duck bag. I don't have much hearing left and this helps me protect what little I have.

It maybe beneficial to keep some Benadryl in your pack. Allergic actions can come on quickly and potentially be life threatening. We may not know what we are allergic to until after the exposure. Benadryl can give some extra time to get back to camp and/or get medical treatment.

Pop all the tops on your beer cans as soon as you get in the stand.

The most important feeder is the one on your truck or Buggy

don't over think, it takes the fun out of the hunt.

Pro level advice right here.

Get up too early, make sure your bowels move, go light on the coffee.

After the shot wait at least 10 minutes or so before climbing out of the stand. Jumping a wounded deer can be disastrous. Give him time to pile up and die.

Don't shoot a lone doe.

A spray bottle of hydrogine pyroxide set on "fine mist" will make picking up a lost blood trail really easy. When the visible blood trail runs out just spray it around a little. The tiniest little spot of blood will foam up to the size of a dime.

Practice getting a scope on any animals seen until you can do it quietly for the deer you want to shoot.

JR

I have to relearn this every 15 years or so.

71.1 lbs. (dressed) this morning. We won't discuss last week's goings on.

71.1 pounds of some very tasty and tender meat! Glad you're out there getting it done!

When the Boss cuts you loose early mid week and you head to the deer stand. Make sure as you load your gear and bow into the truck that your quiver is attached.

When hunting in bear territory, you don't have to outrun the bear if you can outrun your hunting partner.

Tip #2 Bear lard make the best pastry lard known to man.

Tip #3 To get rid of pepper spray on clothing, rub in some vagisil, then wash. Also good for trappers to get rid of beaver smell on cloths, and improves your tennis game too.