New Bowhunter Lots of ?'s

[nlegler]

First off I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here. There is so much to be thankful for from family, to friends, to god himself allowing each and every single one of us the opportunity to get out and enjoy his creations. Now I have a lot of questions because I am a full blown newb when it comes to bowhunting, have just done shotgun (with group drives) almost got hit last year with a slug decided I have had enough of it and now I am going straight for bowhunting. No one in my family hunts, its not that they dont enjoy hunting because they did it when they were younger but with work, and taking other brothers and sisters to different activities doesnt make much time for it, so I am going into this blind. My questions revolve around just the basic things:
1. How high up do you hang your tree stands?
2. How do you adjust the range with the angle of the shot when in your tree stand?
3. What are some good quality low budget tree stands? (I'll build my own climbing latters I love welding)
4. What are some good quality low budget trail cams? (I am hoping to get around 3 or 4 for this summer)
5. What are you guys all feeding for proper vitamins and minerals throughout the spring and summer for the best health of the deer?
(I am not going to hunt off the mineral licks or come anywhere close to them I just want to have proper feeding)
6. Also what is a good deer looking target?

Im sorry for all the questions but really hoping to get a few answers before the spring time roles around that way i can really put in my homework next year and come out with my first bow buck.

 

[gundog870]

1. 12-25 ft.
2. I dont adjust much. Just figure my pins will reach 5 yards farther, and right underya aim a touch low.
3. Rivers Edge
4. Moultrie
5. Cheap old stock salt-doubt it does much except put them infront of the cam.
6. Rhinehart or a block. I don't jack with 3d tagets anymore, I ruin them in a few months.

 

[River1]

1 - up to 20' or so if needed...depends on how much cover the tree offers and location.
2 - practice with a 3D target to see where you need to be. Also, there are sights (pendulum) that correct this for the shooter if you prefer that.
3 - Gorrilla - steel models...off the top of my head...definitely more out there.
(4 - 5) I don't think I'd bother with cameras or feeding, there's much more important things to spend time on in the beggining. I'd concentrate on learning some woodsmanship... deciphering sign, studying/scouting your hunting areas. Learning how to use the wind....stand placements...preparing for ground hunts...etc. Join your local archery club where you can make some new friends who can give hands on help.
6. I really like the McKenzie HD deer and the Rhinehart deer targets. Pricy, but they last a lot longer than most in my experience.

My biggest tip is not to make it harder than it is. Lots of hunting equipement is unnecessary. Your biggest help will be woodsmanship, a good hunting area, competency with a well tuned weapon, and just plain "getting after them" as much as ya can. Keep the wind in your face.

 

[nlegler]

Like to thank you gusy for the replies!! I relooked over my post and my question on the minerals/vitamins might have been little vague, I am mostly just wanting to beable to get them infront of the camera so I can keep a inventory on the deer where I'll be hunting. Most of the areas are ones that i have hunted before for coonhunting so the layout of the timber is very well known for me, atleast to some minor degree haha always can learn more thats for sure. Since i've bought my bow I havent stopped shooting it, practicing as much and as frequent as I can getting comfortable with different distances, now I just would like to beable to get comfortable shooting it from a stand this next coming year. Again thanks for your replies and have a safe and happy thanksgiving!