Outdoor Canada’s 50 top tips, tricks and tactics for hunting white-tailed deer

#31  When still-hunting, move as slowly as you can, looking for parts of a deer, not the whole animal. An antler tine, a white throat patch or the swish of a tail often gives away a deer before it knows you’re there.

#32  Two decoys are better than one. On a highly visible rise within range of your blind, place a buck decoy 10 yards behind a doe decoy. Some experienced hunters prefer to put out several doe decoys with one buck.

 #33  When hunting with a decoy, ensure you’re in a safe place away from the eyes of other hunters, and not in line with the decoy should another hunter shoot at it. More than one decoy has been shot in error.

#34  Food is key in locating deer. Late in the summer, go for a drive in your hunting area to learn what food crops are available. Where I hunt, alfalfa fields are whitetail magnets, so I mark them on a map, then visit them early in the season.

#35  Three or four doe or fawn bleats will often get a buck that’s moving away from you to stop, look and listen. He will pinpoint your location, but if you’re prepared, you’ll have a chance at a stationary shot you otherwise wouldn’t get.

#36  While on stand, you can attract unseen bucks using a series of four or five deep grunts every 15 minutes or so. Once you know you’ve attracted the attention of a buck, however, immediately stop calling.

#37  Use a grunt tube to mask your sounds when still-hunting. If you make an unintended noise, stop and blow three or four soft grunts before resuming to imply a deer made the sound.

#38  The wind is your greatest ally, and your most despised nemesis. Always, always, always be aware of which way it’s blowing. Whitetails trust their noses more than any of their other senses.

#39  Don’t compromise on your footwear. If your feet aren’t dry, warm and comfortable, you’ll have a miserable hunt, regardless of how the rest of your body feels.

#40  Bring life to your deer decoy by attaching a white hanky to its rear end. Even a gentle breeze will move the hanky, giving your decoy the appearance of a deer naturally waving its tail.