I will be hunting in my first season this year. Seeking guidance from my fellow hunters. Any tips will be appreciated. This question is broad intentionally.

I have my own land to hunt on. It has never been hunted. Lots of cover, food source, & water source. I have scouted it out & have seen 1 large doe & other deer sign.

Congratulations, your about to be addicted to (I'm my opinion) the best sport to be apart of. Now where to start, how big is your property? What does it consist of? Bow hunting or gun hunting? Treestands or ground blinds? There is a vast amount of information out there, I'm sure the guys on here will help out as much as they can. A couple things, hunt the wind, your success will be much greater and hunts much more enjoyable when your not getting busted from downwind deer. Be proficient with your weapon. The last thing you want to do is go out and wound an animal because you've not put in enough practice with the weapon your taking out to the field. Have fun, don't make a job out of it or it will quickly become unenjoyable.

Sounds like a great spot. You need to invite me over to help you hunt it. =)

Find where they bed and where they feed and setup down wind of their travel routes.

I suggest getting a climber stand and try to move around and hunt different spots so the deer don't pattern you. I always seem to have the best luck when hunting a spot for the first time.

When you hunt the same permanent stand day after day the deer catch on quick, especially the mature bucks.

Be patient. Don't expect it to be anything like the crap they show on tv. Appreciate the time and place you have to hunt, soak up every experience and learn from every hunt. Trust me you will have highs and lows everytime out. You may take your lumps this first year but I promise you the things you learn will stick with you forever. Good luck and like everyone said the wind is your best friend and worst enemy.

Depending on the size of the property, determine how to best get to your hunting spot without having to cross much of the property. My point would be that if it's a small woods, hunt the edges and don't go into the middle of the woods. If you have a food source, hunt the edges of it. When you consider putting up stands, assuming a fixed stand like a ladder stand, try to assess which was the wind typically blows and make sure the stand is downwind of where you expect the deer to show up. I like to use thick trees that have a lot of cover on them as opposed to clean trees where a guy sticks out and is easily seen. If it's a small woodlot and you think there is only one or two does using it, consider not shooting them until after the rut is over because you want them still there to bring in the bucks during the rut. And spend a lot of time this fall before season watching the property without disturbing it if possible.

Hello H.H.

Tip #1: Don't waste your money on attractants!!!
Tip #2: Buy more tree stands so you have more locations to hunt.
Tip #3: Food plots are an idea for the season!
Tip #4: A tending grunt and snort wheeze works good on a buck from early to mid-November.
Tip #5: The best time to hunt is pre-rut and the rut.
Tip #6: Scouting deer during summer is helpful, if not then trail cameras are really worth your money!!!
Tip #7: Setting tree stands along commonly used deer trails are good ideas, as well as cutting out at least 3 shooting lanes along the deer trails so you have a clear shot at any deer.
Tip #8: Be as stealthy as possible!
Tip #9: Wear plenty of warm clothing, and spray yourself with dead down wind no-scent spray.
Tip #10: Have fun in the stand and kill a big buck!!!

All good info above. Not much to add except know every time you go out it is a blessing. Learn by being out there, learn by being mentored, learn by reading about deer habits, anatomy, and seasonal traits/food sources. Practice - then practice some more with whatever weapon you hunt with. ALWAYS hunt w/ the right wind. Have someone in place to help you track a deer and help you field dress one or two - this will be a great help. Find someone on here that is close to help. Lot of great guys on here.

You will experience more than deer. Enjoy the squirrels, turkeys, etc... Be anal about safety and ethics. Hunt with integrity (who you are when no one is looking) as you represent us all.

Good luck.

Very well put bean!

Welcome Greenhorn, to HoosierHunting,
and to Whitetail Affliction!!

Deer's sense of smell is better than you can imagine. Welcome to the forum.

All good suggestions. I'll add some more. Allow for plenty of time getting to your stand. When you get within a 100yds, take a couple steps, then wait 20-30 seconds. Take a couple more. Read as much info as possible on deer tracking and shot placement. Your first instinct will be to get your hands on the deer, but patience is key if you don't get to see the deer drop. Once you bump a wounded deer, it is very tough to find. Practice, practice, practice. This sounds obvious, but when your adrenaline is pumping, it will add to your confidence. If you don't have a good shot, don't force it. There is more honor in passing an iffy shot, than wounding a deer on one you shouldn't have taken. Lastly, there is no shame in taking a doe. It is a vital part of management, great tasting, and an old wiley doe can be as tough to hunt as a mature buck. I say this because with all of the marketing, it's easy to get fixated on big bucks when you are starting out.

Patience Patience Patience, it took me years to become a bad *** hunter

You guys are fantastic! This is all wonderful information. I have grown up shooting guns & bows. Always outside doing something & definitely observing nature. Seems I'll enjoy hunting as I like to be alone, quiet, & I'm very patient. I'm getting more excited about hunting from what you have said.

Any tips on what to wear ie from head to toe? I have read about all different ways to eliminate human smell. Also, using paint to cover features, etc. Maybe it's simple as get camo clothes, cover scent, & go hunt?

I think general camo works fine and you sure don't need the expensive stuff. Cover scents are ok but just keep the hunting clothes, and boots, clean with scent free soap. Playing the wind is the key issue in my opinion and trying to get to your stand without "walking around" and leaving scent. This stuff is much more important for bow hunting then gun hunting if you have a situation where your gun hunting and intending to take 100 plus yard shots. Movement and general concealment on the stand are probably more important then the camo, again, in my opinion.

You have already received tons of great tips...here are a few more......

1. If you are going to be in a treestand, always use a safety harness.

2. I don't care so much about the pattern, but wear clothes that keep you warm and dry. The same goes for boots. If you get cold and/or wet, you will want to leave.

3. Have fun.

4. If you are going to be in a treestand, always use a safety harness.

^^^^+1^^^^

I would also suggest that you define "success" before you ever go out. It's different for everybody. The treestand is a seat in an amazing classroom, and Mother Nature is an amazing teacher. If I come home and I've learned one new thing....to ME that's a successful hunt. Anything more than that is icing on the cake.

don't buy into the marketing hype. Scentlok does not work and has been proven a scam in court.

Get some camo within your budget. I hunt in army surplus BDU's sometimes in the early season. Tey are made very well and can be found cheaply online. I prefer a facemask, not paint.

I have killed deer while wearing flannel shirts also....staying still at the critical moment is the best "camo" there is. Hunt the wind, into or quartering into your face. The sense of smell is the whitetails greatest defense.