Don't Ruin Your First Deer Hunt: 7 Mistakes to Avoid

After waiting all year for deer season to finally get here, it can be pretty easy to get in a hurry when opening day comes around.

I know the feeling. You have been watching your cameras, looking at your property, getting your gear ready, and thinking about that first hunt for weeks. Then the season finally gets here and you just want to get in the woods.

But sometimes the biggest mistake we can make is getting too excited and rushing things.

Here are 7 mistakes I think every deer hunter should try to avoid when that first hunt finally arrives.

1. Hunting a good spot before the conditions are right

Just because you have a good stand doesn't mean every day is a good day to hunt it.

Pay attention to the wind and think about where your scent is going. A spot can look perfect on a map, but if the wind is going straight toward where you expect deer to come from, you could be doing more harm than good.

Sometimes waiting for the right conditions is better than hunting a great spot on the wrong day.

2. Getting into the woods without thinking about how you are getting there

A lot of hunters spend a lot of time deciding where the stand should go but don't spend as much time thinking about getting to it.

Think about your entrance route before you hunt.

You don't want to walk through an area where deer are likely bedding or feeding if you can avoid it. You also don't want to make a lot of noise or leave a bunch of scent where you don't want deer smelling you.

The stand might be in the perfect location, but if getting there alerts every deer around it, that perfect stand isn't so perfect anymore.

3. Checking your gear after you are already in the woods

This one sounds obvious, but it is easy to overlook something when you're getting ready for the season.

Check your equipment before opening day.

Make sure your hunting gear is working, your batteries are good, your camera equipment is ready, and anything you depend on during the hunt has been checked ahead of time.

The woods is not the place to discover that something you counted on isn't working.

I've learned that one the hard way.

4. Changing your whole plan because of one picture

Trail cameras can give us some great information, but one picture doesn't always tell the whole story.

If you get a picture of a nice buck at an unusual time, it's tempting to immediately change your plans and go after him.

Before doing that, look at the bigger picture.

Where has he been showing up? What time? What direction is he traveling? Have you seen him more than once?

One picture can give you a clue, but several pictures over time can give you a much better idea of what is actually happening.

5. Making too much noise getting into your stand

We all know deer have good hearing, but sometimes it's easy to forget how quiet the woods can be.

Try to keep your movements controlled when you're getting into position.

A loud branch breaking, unnecessary talking, or banging equipment around can turn a quiet morning into a very short hunt.

You don't have to be afraid to move through the woods, but there is a big difference between moving carefully and moving like you're in a hurry.

6. Hunting just because it is opening day

I know this one can be hard.

You've waited all year, and now you finally have the opportunity to hunt. You don't want to waste it.

But if the conditions aren't right for the stand you want to hunt, sometimes the better decision is to wait.

The deer don't know it's opening day.

If the wind isn't right or getting into your location is going to put too much pressure on the area, there will be another day.

I'd rather have one good hunt where everything is working in my favor than several hunts where I keep educating deer without even realizing it.

7. Getting discouraged after one bad hunt

This may be one of the biggest mistakes of all.

You sit for hours and don't see a deer.

Then you start thinking your cameras were wrong, your stand is in the wrong place, or the deer have completely disappeared.

Don't give up that quickly.

Deer don't move exactly the same way every day. Weather changes. Food changes. Pressure changes. And sometimes you simply don't see a deer even when they're in the area.

One quiet hunt doesn't mean your whole season is ruined.

Take what you learned, pay attention to what is happening around you, and make your next decision based on information instead of frustration.

Being Prepared Before Opening Day

Being prepared before opening day can make a big difference in your success as a deer hunter. One of the best ways to prepare is by learning deer movement before you ever step into the woods. Our game cameras can help you monitor deer activity, understand patterns, and make better decisions when it's time to hunt.

One More Thing Before You Head Out

Take a little extra time before that first hunt.

Check your equipment. Check the wind. Think about your entrance and exit. Look at what your cameras have actually been showing you instead of reacting to one picture.

Most of all, don't get in such a hurry that you ruin a good opportunity before you even get settled in the stand.

We've all made mistakes while hunting. The goal isn't to have a perfect hunt every time. It's to learn from those mistakes and keep getting better.

And when deer season finally gets here, that's what I'm going to be doing too.

Good luck this season, and stay safe out there.