I have attempted bow hunting over the past couple years but with no success. Reasons being mainly inexperience. I have had deer in range before but either got busted or didnt meet club minimum requirements. I understand that scouting and scent control is vital but would really like to hear from some of you that wouldn't mind offering some other advice that I could take with me. I am determined to make this happen. I will be on public COE land so it increases the difficulty but this is something I really want to do. Thanks in advance.

This is your main recipe for bowhunting success. Determination and patience will trump experience, its the only way any of us got our first bow kill. Stay with it. Be prepared to miss/injure some deer. I bowhunted on and off for 10 years before I got the first one but its all worth it when it all comes together.

To me the hardest thing to overcome bowhunting is getting nervous/shakey with one in bow range. The only thing to for me to overcome it was time in the woods and seeing plenty of deer. Dont get me wrong I still get PUMPED with a big ol nanner head in bow range but Ive managed to control it till after the shot now.


Oh and Ill go ahead and congratulate you ahead of time if I miss your public land bowkill because thats nothing to sneeze at. You will be part of an elite group IMO with that under your belt.

Im ok with missing a deer but I hope not to injure one. I know it happens but im not going to get crazy and take wild shots just trying to make this happen. And yes I do get the shakes. Like I said ive had deer in range before that didn't meet the club minimum and I shook even though I knew I wasn't going to draw. I have to work on some jitters too.

its all good I don't you stop getting the jitters it's time to quit

Cut off the food sources and bedding areas. Also, if not over pressured, find the acorns where they are eating and hunt there. We had specific trees the deer would eat under and after they wiped them out, they would move. While hunting state land in Michigan, I noticed that most hunters hit the roads and drove as close to the end of it as they could before getting out to hunt. I moved close to the main turn-offs and I killed several deer sitting in a tree watching cars go by on the HWY...

You can practice shooting more accurate when you get the shakes by running about 30 to 50 yards and taking a shot. Trust me it helps. Shot plenty of deer and I still get the shakes every time from excitement.

I may try that. I do believe in practicing different shot scenarios. It may be hard for me to hold an oxygen tank and a bow but I will try.

The area I hunt is loaded with oaks and had planned to hunt but will try to figure out more where exactly they like to get. Thanks.