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

#41  Rubs don’t always indicate rut-charged bucks. Occasionally they’re territorial markers, but that’s not always the case, so don’t get overly preoccupied with them. You’re better off focusing on scrapes and other sign to find big bucks.

#42  Scrapes are a buck’s way of telling does he’s present and ready to breed. Watch for scrape lines, especially those being regularly refreshed; setting up a blind or stand nearby and being patient is often a successful tactic.

#43  Make your blinds as comfortable as possible and you’ll be able to sit all day. That means having a good chair, a heat source, water and food. The homier your blind is, the more effectively you’ll hunt from it.

#44  As soon as you’re settled in your stand or blind, use a rangefinder to determine distances in all directions. If a deer appears, you’ll know immediately if it’s within your comfortable shooting range.

#45  If you spot a buck on the move at a distance, don’t go after it that same day, especially if you’re hunting with a bow; there’s just too much risk of spooking him. Instead, make note of his movements, the habitat and the wind, then devise a plan to hunt him in the days that follow.

#46  When hunting heavily pressured bucks late in the season, opt for a less aggressive approach when rattling or grunting. Rattle or call only once or twice, then settle in and let an interested buck find you. In a game of cat and mouse, it’s sometimes an advantage to be the mouse.

#47  Hunting in open habitat often requires shooting at greater distances than what you may be accustomed to. Use a bi-pod or shooting sticks to give you the added stability needed for long-range shots.

#48  Be patient, persistent and positive whenever hunting whitetails. Several times, I’ve filled my tag on the last day, sometimes even in the last hour. An opportunity can arise at any moment, and you must be prepared.

#49  Hanging deer between 3°C and 5°C can improve the quality of the meat. Without controlled refrigeration, however, don’t hang your animal for more than two or three days. If the flesh begins to turn black or form a second skin, begin processing it immediately.

#50 Over time, the greatest pleasure you’ll get from hunting whitetails won’t come from taking another buck, no matter how big it is. You’ll get far more joy in helping a novice harvest his or her first deer, so do yourself a favour and take a kid hunting.