Are you wondering “How can sounds affect my hunt?” Let Oklahoma Landsource fill you in! Hunting whitetail deer is a complex task that involves the right combination of an effective strategy, and a flawless physical as well as mental strategy. You may spend all your life understanding your favorite animal, learning the best techniques, and getting the most effective gear to get an edge. But when it comes to putting it all together, even a minor mistake can ruin all your plans.
As far as deer hunting goes, most people think that scent control is the only thing they need to be concerned about. What they don’t know is that the sounds they make during their hunts can alert wild game animals such as deer even faster than the human scent.
Almost all types of hunters try their best to suppress all kinds of sounds. However, the sound we make is not the only factor you should consider. You need to listen in on the sounds that other creatures make as well, both on the water and in the woods. This will give you a good idea of what the deer are doing and why they’re doing it. And eventually, this understanding will help you become a more successful hunter.
1. Unintentional Noises
At times, you simply can’t avoid making noise while hunting. The most you can do is keep your cell on silent and not speak. However, making unintentional sounds is something that most people cannot avoid. These generally include the kind of sounds we make while climbing trees, sneezing, coughing, snagging clothes, or breaking branches These noises can make it extremely tough to even find your dream buck as most animals during the hunting season are on high alert.
One of the easiest, and often the most effective thing, you can do is to be patient and don’t rush things. Slow down and make every movement with great precision in your stand, and this will go a long way in reducing noise. Invest in quiet hunting apparel as it can also drastically lower the sound that clothes usually make when they rub against themselves. Additionally, it’s wise to practice some typical hunting movements while trying on new pants and jackets to avoid purchasing noisy clothes.
2. Intentional Noises
Sometimes, remaining completely silent can become counterproductive. This is something that gave birth to the thriving ‘hunting call’ industry. So, how can you intentionally make noises to attract animals? This is where tools like bones, wood, or blades of grass helped traditional hunters imitate the noises of wild animals. Fortunately, the hunting call industry has come a long way since then.
An important piece of advice any experienced hunter will give you is to always take these sounds very seriously. These sounds are used by animals to communicate with each other. So, if you make a wrong sound, it will scare off the animals instead of attracting them. So, make sure to understand the proper use of these calls and the right situations to use them.
Furthermore, keep in mind the regulations as well. In many states, electronic calls for animals such as deer, waterfowl, and turkeys, are strictly prohibited. Electronic calls, in most states, are only allowed when stalking predators like bobcats, foxes, and coyotes.
3. Natural sounds
Most new hunters tend to overlook the natural sounds that are normally audible to their prey. For instance, both non-songbirds and songbirds make pleasant noises that can be soothing and relaxing to the game animals like deer. However, sometimes the same birds produce alarm calls, and these wild noises can be used to warn other animals in the area, which is something you never want.
That’s why it makes sense to gain some understanding of various distress calls that animals make and learn about the ways to recognize these sounds. As surprising as it may sound, small animals or resident birds have been continuously alerting other wild animals in the woods about your presence without your knowledge. Many hunters just fail to recognize that the game animals they were hunting were fully aware of their presence the whole time.
5. Minimize Rustling Sounds
Patience is the key when it comes to remaining undetected and avoiding unnecessary sounds. Weather also plays an important role in the type of noises you hear in the wood. For instance, in dry conditions, areas with branches, twigs, and leaves can create a lot of noise. On the other hand, these sounds are almost non-existent in moist or wet conditions.
A good way to reduce the rustling sound of vegetation like the grass is to keep the pathways to your blind or stand neat and clean.
You might be amazed by how much of a difference these sounds can make to your overall success as a hunter. That’s why some of the most experienced and skilled hunters make sure to utilize these strategies during their hunting expeditions.