A very good read in the current (August) issue of Deer and Deer Hunting magazine and definitely something for those who are new to the sport. Of course, forum rules dictate not posting copyrighted material here.

People post copyrighted material all the time, just link the source and don't claim it as your own. It's better than when you post up these threads that serve no value. Perhaps we should have a book/article reading section that you can moderate?

I got 6 bad habits at least.

Pee jugs. A pee jug in the blind is the secret to my success.

Don't forget the 5-gallon bucket with lid and TP

Just $7.99 in most places where magazines are sold.

pee jug in the tent on backcountry hunts is a must have

How much Copenhagen scent do deer tolerate Mr Trashcan?

I have no idea how any magazine is still in business. I had a brother that would always hit the magazine rack while his wife shopped for groceries, but that was his way of getting out of ever doing a dam thing to help, and, it was many years ago. The math just doesn't add up any more. 'Haven't bought a magazine in years.

Because they still work even after you happen to drop them in the crapper. And every real man knows the best bowel movements happen while reading.

Haven't dropped the phone in it once. Close a couple of times, but never in the basket.

What'd'ya daub the pages off with TP and keep reading, or what?

I use them to roll up and hit my kids

Okay, having paid at least some respect to the author by encouraging folks to buy the magazine, here are what might be considered the six "best practices" that you'll find with the most successful deer hunters. I've added my own comments, a few of which are sure to offend those seem to enjoy being offended.

1. Study the animal - Unless your hunting strategy is limited to setting a timer, knowing what makes your prey tick is critical to being in the right place at the right time for the best opportunity to get off a shot. That's why there's never a better time than the rut to be in the deer woods. A desire to have sex has been the major downfall for both man and beast.

2. Work the wind - Let's just say some hunters take this so serious that they refuse to hunt a stand when the wind isn't right.

3. Track air patterns - The most skillful hunters know that thermals are not just those things you put on when there's frost on the ground. They can explain to you how differences in terrain and cover can make air move and in which direction on even the calmest mornings and evenings.

4. Have back up plans - Simply put, they can quickly decide how to adjust their hunt when they show up and wind has now changed directions or the hunters on the lease next to them appear to be having ATV races. They know every funnel, inside corner, ravine, and saddle where a buck might pass through given the new conditions.

5. Build a super highway - With deer and bucks especially being the lazy creatures they are, some folks have learned to tie a piece of wire around the bottom or top two strands of an old, barbed-wire fence to make it easier for one to jump over or duck under. Others simply look for downed trees across fences, low shoulders on creek banks, and other places where Mother Nature has done the work for them.

6. Execute the ambush - Having done a good job at reasons 1-5, the rest is just a matter of picking the right spot for a stand that makes use of good cover to conceal the human outline, the direction of the sun at the time of the hunt, and anything else (such as the hunter next door always cranks up his ATV and leaves his stand around 9am) that might increase their odds.

One more that I believe the author missed...

#7 - You play the way you practice - The most successful hunters know what they can and can’t do with their rifle and/or bow because they spend a lot of time with it. They know that once that buck of a lifetime walks out in front of them and their heart is pounding at the rate of a marathon runner, being able to put a bullet or arrow in the vitals will make the difference between filling an ice chest or kicking themself.

The pages of most of those magazines can come in handy at times...

People still buy magazines?

I like to eat lunch alone. Texas Fish & Game and Eastmans are my friends.

#8 Turn the sendero yellow.