Stalking and Still Hunting

[lockmaster]

There is a difference!
You will hear these terms a lot as years pass and you gain experience.

STILL HUNTING: You have an area to hunt but don't know exactly what is in that area in terms of Deer. So you decide to go look for them. Still hunting involves using all your senses and moving at a very slow pace as you are looking around moving only your eyes and very slow movement of your head as necessary, stepping very lightly, in slow easy steps usually from one to three slow steps at a time. Kinda like you're walking in "slow motion". Stop and pause for 2 -5 minutes between the series of steps to slowly look around for game and "Listen" for movement of animals. As you move you must be aware of sticks and things under your feet as you set your foot down..learning to "feel" the forrest floor under your feet and avoiding things that will "snap". You must also be aware and learn to feel branches that rub or get caught on your clothes or equipment and slowly lean away from them. You may have to back up slowly to avoid something that would make a noise. This type of hunting takes a lot of patience.

STALKING: Merely means that you are trying to "sneak up on an animal" that you know is there or that you have sighted, and you want to get within range for a good shot. A lot of the techniques of still hunting comes in to play too. You know the deer is there but you don't want to spook him so you "stalk" (sneak up on him, or follow him) very quietly and very slowly

[michijunior]

thanks for the info i will try to print that out and keep it well got to go have a nice day.

[lockmaster]

Now that I have given some basics on stalking and stillhunting, I want to go in to a little more depth:

If you want to be a good hunter, and learn to employ still hunting and stalking techniques, there are some very important points to remember.

1. Both still hunting and stalking takes a lot of practice to be able to use it effectively, and it takes a lot of patience. If you don't have the patience, and are not able to resist "rushing" it, you will no doubt have a hard time being successful. Most of the people I've seen that attempt to still hunt are not very successful because they try to move too fast due to being impatient.

2. If you decide to use still hunting or stalking, you must choose the proper time to do it effectively. When it's raining, leaves are wet from a rain or there is a soft snow on the ground, these conditions maximize your ability to move quietly. The disadvantage is that you will not be able to hear the animals movements as well.

3. Use the wind and thermal currents if at all possible. You should always move through an area keeping the area in front of you upwind. That is move with the wind blowing in your face. If you move with the wind, it will carry your scent downwind to any deer ahead of you. Thermal currents are the currents that move up and down hills/mountains. In the morning hours, as the air warms, it rises to higher ground and in late afternoon as the air cools, it moves to lower ground. It is best to walk on higher ground in the mornings, and walk in the lower areas in the evenings.

4. When moving through a hunting area, don't look for the whole deer. As you pause between your steps, slowly scan hillsides or hollows and thick brush. 90% of the time you will not see the whole deer. You want to watch for the slightest movement..look for a deers ear, foot, eyeball nose or tail. Be aware of the colors and look closely for a brown or black spot that does not fit the surrounding area.

Still hunting is effective for all kinds of game animals...
Squirrels, rabbits, quail, grouse etc. I have still hunted with a bow for rabbits. If you are alert and learn to spot them in fence rows, thin brush etc., you can get a shot at one sitting there without spooking it. You can sit in one spot and watch for squirrels & deer, or you can "hunt" for them.

[bowtech]

Good stuff Lockmaster

I used to still hunt years ago but due to time constraints...no more

Its a real art and if you can take a deer with a bow while still hunting , you are truly a hunter

[lockmaster]

Thanks BT Yes, still hunting and stalking and making a kill with the bow is a "real feat" accomplished and very gratifying and certainly is the mark of a true hunter.

It truly is an "art" and I'd love to see the youngsters (and beginners) get involved in it more.

[bigfoot]

A couple little hints-
when the leaves are down or crusty snow conditions
we always pull a pair of Woolen Socksover our boots to keep the noise to a minimum.
This works exceptionally well.

[lockmaster]

That's a neat hint bigfoot! I also wear heavy socks at time under mocassins...it helps you to be able to "feel" with your feet a little more and dampens sounds. (sometimes ya' gotta suffer with the cold feet)

[michihunter]

W#ant to save on a pair of socks? Use some carpet strips nap side down with string attached and tied over the boot.

[lockmaster]

While I would agree that having something "soft" on your feet when still hunting would be a definite asset, the "art" of still hunting is more than that. The big factor in still hunting is learning to make each step very slowly, and setting your foot down very slowly with each step...3-5 seconds to fully plant your foot is not exaggerating. The big secret is learning to "feel" through your footwear with your feet and not putting your full weight down on anything that will snap or a rock that will roll under your foot and keeping the "crunch" sound of leaves under your feet to the very minimum. Looking carefully where you're stepping is a must. When you pick up your foot for the next step, you don't want to "drag" anything with it either.

[michihunter]

Great point LM!!To travel a measly 100 yards an hour is evn too fast at times. Thanks for bring out all these great points!!

[ScottC]

Thanks for the great tips.

[hunter243]

great tips. i'll use them when i go still hunting.
thanks
hunter243