Tactics for a Successful Gun Deer Season in Wisconsin
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Time to read 2 min
Wisconsin’s gun deer season is always highly anticipated by hunters, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from across the state and beyond. To maximize your chances of success, here are three key tactics every hunter should consider this season:
1. Scout and Understand Deer Movement
Wisconsin offerse very diverse landscapes; from dense forests and rolling hills to farmland, making it crucial to understand deer movement patterns in your specific hunting area. Deer are creatures of habit and tend to follow predictable routes for food, water, and shelter, especially as the Rut winds down and colder weather approaches.
• Pre-Season Scouting: Walk through the area you are hunting and look for fresh sign like tracks, scrapes, and rubs. These indicate active areas where deer frequently travel. Trail cameras can also help monitor activity without spooking deer if you’re able to use them where you’re hunting.
• Identify Bedding and Feeding Areas: In the colder months, deer focus on finding high-calorie food sources and sheltered bedding areas. Look for trails between bedding areas (like dense cover or wooded thickets) and feeding zones (crop fields or acorn-rich woods). Setting up along these trails can put you in a a great spot to see more deer.
• Adapt to Hunting Pressure: As gun season gets underway, deer will become more cautious and may change their patterns to avoid pressure. Take note of areas other hunters may overlook—such as small patches of dense cover near open fields or less accessible terrain. Deer will often take refuge in these spots as the season progresses.
2. Choose Your Stand Location Strategically
A well-placed stand can make all the difference in your success during gun season. However, choosing a location goes beyond just picking a high-traffic area. Consider factors like wind direction, cover, and accessibility.
• Wind Awareness: Wisconsin’s unpredictable fall weather can quickly change wind patterns, which can carry your scent toward deer. Plan your stand location with the wind in mind, positioning yourself downwind from known bedding areas.
• Access Routes: Think about how you’ll enter and exit your stand without disturbing deer. Avoid walking through key areas like feeding or bedding spots, as this can spook deer and you may end up paying them to your neighbors.
3. Be Patient and Stay Put
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in more than 2 decades of hunting Gun Deer Season, it’s that anything can happen in a split second. There are thousands of hunters roaming the woods which pushes deer to areas with security cover.
• Sit longer than your neighbor, when they get up at 10 AM because they are cold, you want to be sitting and waiting as they may push deer right to you.
• Stay Warm and Comfortable, the more comfortable you are, the more likely you are to stay out in the woods and hunt. This is where I like to utilize my TideWe Heated Hunting Clothing to stay nice and warm!
Final Thoughts
A successful hunt requires both preparation and adaptation. By understanding deer behavior, selecting a smart stand location, and being patient, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of Wisconsin’s gun deer season. Remember, patience and persistence are often the most critical ingredients for success.
Happy hunting, and stay safe this season!
Author
Jason Brenic
My name is Jason Brenic, and I am the USVP of Marketing for Piscifun Fishing. Still, more importantly, I am an absolute Crazy Man when it comes to targeting Crappies in the Fall.
