Don't Touch That Deer Feeder

It's interesting to me that I've actually had this conversation several times with others and I never see anyone write about it. Some hunters like to walk up the the feeder they are hunting over and hit the 'test' button before sitting in their stand. I completely understand the reasoning behind this, but I am not so sure it is always a wise move.

This last week I hunted with a friend of mine on a ranch and he told me he didn't get a shot last year. That is a little unusual here because it's 19,000 acres and LOADED with game. Now, don't get me wrong. They don't just walk up and climb in the back of the truck for you, but there's ALWAYS something coming in to the feeders or crossing near by whenever I hunt here. It's a beautiful place.

It wasn't until the last day of our 3 day hunt that he said something that peaked my interest. He mentioned that the first thing he did was walk over and hit that test button on the feeder before settling into his ground blind, or tripod. He said he does this every time he hunts.

All of a sudden I could understand why he hadn't seen very much to shoot at. I also understood why he didn't see anything last year that was a shooter. Now, I'm not a critical, hoity toity that actually believes there's only one way to hunt and that happens to be mine. I don't really care what hunters do as long as they hunt responsibly and promote the sport through proper ethics and good word of mouth.

I couldn't say anything to my friend, though because he doesn't think it affects his hunt one way or the other. I don't agree with him, but that's probably just because I'm not lucky enough to be able to do that stuff without being busted by the game I am hunting.

So, as a rule I don't touch anything when I walk into and out of my hunting area if I'm hunting seriously. I cover everything in scent free spray, and I make sure that I don't leave anything behind when I go. I try to be as stealthy as I can when I get there. I think it makes a big difference in my hunts. I see more game, and I get more shots than I would otherwise. I feel that it is my job to make sure the animals have no idea I am there. When I do this right, I can tell from their actions and the actions of the other game around them.

Again, I'm not saying this is the ONLY way to do this, but try it. Take it to the extreme and see IF there is a difference. I bet that you will find somewhere between where you are now, and the EXTREME you will find a happy medium that works really, really well for you. All of a sudden you will the hunter your buddies give a hard time because you SEE everything, and you get ALL the shots.

Don't Touch That Feeder!