Keys to a Successful Whitetail Deer Hunting Season

With whitetail deer hunting season just around the corner, we turned to Hayden Outdoors’ resident whitetail expert, John Tate. John is a lifelong hunter and avid outdoorsman, cutting his teeth in the Piedmont of North Carolina. He’s spent countless hours honing his hunting craft throughout some of the most desirable whitetail deer hunting regions in the country. It’s a passion, and one he’s happy to impart on up-and-comers. Here are some key takeaways from our talk with John in which he walked us through the key steps for a successful whitetail hunting season. 

The Importance of Preparation for a Successful Hunt

Whitetail deer hunting is one of the most popular hunting tags, mainly because the animals are so prolific across the country. Nearly all U.S. states have a whitetail deer hunting season, with some opening as early as August. The animals gravitate toward food plots, cropland, pasture, wooded areas, and brush. But don’t be fooled into thinking the abundance of whitetail deer makes them easy to hunt. John advises treating your whitetail deer hunting as a year-round game. “In the off-season, you need to be practicing with whichever weapon you plan to hunt with. Study onX maps, read hunting articles, watch video clips, and call your local or regional hunting division to see what the local tag regulations are.”

Preparation is essential for successful whitetail deer hunting. John recommends taking these steps to help ensure you’re prepared when opening day rolls around:

1. Set a hunting goal. If this is your first season, it could be as simple as getting out and testing your equipment. Newer hunters might care less about rack size and more about securing some meat for the upcoming year. Whatever your aim, vocalizing it can help frame your approach to the season.
2. Find a friend and then practice with that person – make it a team effort.
3. Pick a spot and plan the trip.

By doing these things, John points out that you become the guide and the outfitter. You get to do it all. “For me, I truly appreciate when it all comes together and I do shoot a deer, knowing I’ve done the work from start to finish.” 

Understanding Whitetail Behavior: Patterns and Habits

For the most part, food sources dictate whitetail deer movement, which typically is most active in the morning and evening. “Whitetails don’t move a whole lot mid-day,” John says. “They’re going from their bedding to their food source. When it starts to get warm during the day, they’re not going to expend a lot of energy.” 

This movement pattern extends as fall begins to turn to winter and the weather gets colder. “When temperatures start to drop, the deer are starting to roam around, making scrapes, rubbing trees. Bucks will be on the move, especially in the October timeframe, looking for does. That’s when you’ll see the bucks moving around pretty aggressively.” 

By late October, whitetail bucks will begin aggravating the does at the onset of the rut (mating season). In addition to mating season, food, weather, and shelter also affect whitetail behavior as they prepare for winter. 

Preparing Your Land: Ensuring a Whitetail-Friendly Habitat

When it comes to getting your hunting property desirable for whitetail deer, John has a key recommendation: Do your homework. “Learn where the animals are. You don’t want them to feel hunted. You want to get close to them, but not too close.” This means establishing whitetail-friendly habitat. 

One of the best ways you can make your property appealing to whitetail deer is by creating food plots. According to John, there are typically two different kinds – spring/summer food plots and fall food plots. Learn more about which plants and minerals appeal to the deer in your area, then create a food plot with John’s guidelines in mind: 

• Establish your food plots within close proximity to a bedding area or corridor.
• Provide enough buffer that you’re not getting too close to the bedding area and running the deer off.
• The more food you have, the more deer you’ll pull from other properties and nearby hunting zones. 

If you have to create a food plot in a newly-established area, use the modification to the habitat in a way that benefits the deer. “We don’t have as much agriculture here in the South as in the Midwest, so we have to create our food plots for whitetails. We’ll take a barren field or even some section along a creek that doesn’t have a lot of trees and clear the area where there’s good, fertile soil.”

Downed trees can provide excellent cover for deer. These trees also allow you to create access corridors in the food plot, helping to predict movement. “You can structure your food plot based on the predominant wind and better soil.” The bottom line: Plant the food and give the deer a natural source of nutrients that is protected and close to water. 

Proper Gear: Must-Have Equipment for Whitetail Hunting

“When I first started hunting, it was good enough to just have enough clothes on to stay warm. And it was all cotton! No hand warmers or battery-operated gloves and socks. I was just happy to be out there, hunting with my dad.” 

While we sometimes yearn for a more minimalistic approach to our favorite activities, the truth is that modern equipment keeps us more comfortable and allows us to get closer to the animals without being noticed. These days, the gear checklist is a little longer, but you’ll be that much happier when your hands are warm and the deer can’t smell or see you. 

John’s essential gear checklist includes:

• Rifle and ammunition or bow and quiver – If you’re bow hunting, pack an extra release
• Camo
• Well-fitted boots
• A good backpack – John recommends a 2,000 – 3,000-cubic-inch pack to accommodate packing out meat 
• Range finder
• Deer call
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Binoculars
• Plenty of food and water – you might be out all day

“That’s the minimalist list I would put together and say, ‘Go to the woods.’”

Additionally and conditions-dependent, it’s worth adding the following to your hunting kit:

• Bug repellant
• Binocular harness
• Safety vest
• Two pull-up ropes
• Small set of allen wrenches
• Extra hat
• Gloves
• Face net
• Camo face paint
• Ozone machines that kill scent
• Extra batteries for any battery-powered items

Pay special attention to scent control and camouflage. Consider washing hunting clothes with scent-free detergent and using a scent-killer treatment. Avoid body products (shampoos, soaps, and deodorants) that have perfumes or scents. Talk with your local outfitter or sporting good store about the best camo for your hunting region. 

The preparation is no joke. “It’s honestly like packing for a two-month long trip every time you go in and come out,” John says. “It might seem like overkill, but I’ve been on so many trips when I wasn’t prepared or forgot my flashlight, and it was really frustrating. I decided I’d rather be over prepared than not.” 

The Role of Timing: Best Times of Day and Season to Hunt

If you’re hoping to get into whitetail deer, early morning and twilight when they’re browsing food are your best bets. If you’ll have to pack any meat out, err on the earlier side to give yourself plenty of time. As far as what time of year you should go, John recommends this well-known prime time, but with some parameters: “During the fall rut is the most entertaining time to whitetail deer hunt. But it’s also the most frustrating because deer are as unpatternable as they will ever be during this time. Every successful bowhunter will tell you the best time to go is the first three to five days of the season, or during a good cold snap. Late season when the rut has phased out and the deer are having to focus on food again is another prime time.”

Ultimately, it comes back to John’s hunting credo: Do your homework. Study trail cams and work hard to understand how the deer are traveling and behaving. 

Mastering the Art of Stealth: Staying Hidden and Undetected

When you’re on the move during hunting season, strive to do so as quietly as possible. It can be hard to contain the excitement and enthusiasm to get out to your stand or hunting spot, but slowing down a little bit is a great way to stay out of the deer’s earshot. 

• Watch where you’re walking and avoid anything that might snap, crunch, or crumble as you step.
• Wear quiet materials that don’t swish or rub as you walk. 
• Same goes for boots – opt for footwear that doesn’t have any obvious squeaks or other noises. 
• Make sure pieces of gear are protected and not clanging against each other. Harnesses work well for gear placement on your body. 
• Before the season starts, make sure your stand is primed for hunting. Replace any ripped materials and other structural apparatus. 

Common Mistakes for New Hunters

Going back to his initial points, John notes again the importance of having a goal in mind for this season’s whitetail deer hunt. Keep it realistic (although we can all dream of that Boone and Crocket buck), and make sure you have the proper equipment to make it happen. 

Then, don’t be afraid to take small chances and follow your instincts. “I think one mistake hunters make is giving the deer a little too much credit – not that they don’t deserve it. But there are times when we’re too cautious; I know I have been. You’re walking a fine line between alerting a deer and not wanting to blow your chances. But if you’ve done your homework and you know the wind and the range – and you’ve got the wind in your favor – that right there is a huge bonus and a big jump on staying ahead of the animal.” 

Of course, the opposite can be true, too. “On the flip side, some hunters push it too much. They get impatient. I’m also guilty of that. If I have limited time, I push it, when in retrospect, I could have waited. Honestly, it’s just a gut feeling. If you’ve done your homework and studied it 17 different ways, your gut’s going to tell you what to do.” 

Conclusion

In the end, the art of whitetail deer hunting boils down to a simple truth – and a simple pleasure – for John. “I’ve been blessed to have hunted and seen a lot of really beautiful places and met a lot of great people along the way. And I hope that’s what others get out of it. At the end of the day, if you go out and give it your all, whether you tagged out on an animal or not, you got to reconnect with nature and enjoy being outdoors.” 

Dove Hunting Season Hot Spots

There are two types of people in this country – those who have been dove hunting and those who haven’t. If you fall into the latter category, you’re definitely missing out, at least according to Hayden Outdoors Director of Marketing Dan Brunk and broker Heath Thompson. These boys – or men, really, but to listen to them talk about dove hunting season evokes a fever pitch-level of enthusiasm typically reserved for our youth – know their birds and how to hunt them on both public and private hunting property. And they love to share their knowledge of the sport. In fact, Heath believes it’s one of the most social field activities out there. “Dove hunting is one of those sports where you can holler at each other, jab each other. It’s vocal. It’s loud. There’s no other sport where you can take 30 to 50 people and put them in a field and watch every one of them have a good time.” 

Dove hunting is great for beginners and families, too – both Dan and Heath say some of their earliest memories are shooting birds with their dads, siblings, and cousins. Days in the field or rolling foothills are followed by cleaning and cooking the birds, drinking some refreshments, hanging out with everyone. Says Dan, “It’s a great tradition and just a great time. There are family traditions, but dove hunting is the one event everyone comes to. Anyone can do it so everyone comes together. Seeing people you don’t see but a couple times a year – that’s the most memorable part.” 

Dan and Heath imparted their extensive knowledge and wisdom of the sport. Here are some of their dove hunting tips, tricks, and hot spots. 

Essential Gear for Dove Hunting

Before you step into the field, make sure you have the proper hunting license for doves if one is required. Additionally, you’ll need the following for a successful dove hunt:

• Ammunition – You can go through a lot of shells when you’re dove hunting, so make sure to bring plenty. “You need to carry as many shells as possible if you’re going for a walk or sitting on a bucket,” Dan says. “The last thing you want to do is run out of ammo., after all these birds are tough to shoot!” 
• Clothing – Camo is great, but if required in your state, make sure you’re wearing the right amount of orange to make yourself visible to other hunters. Also prepare for the day’s weather. If you’re going to be spending hours in a blind or out in the field, wear light, breathable clothing that can double as sun protection. Dove have incredible eyesight, so everything beyond your orange should blend well with the surroundings. 
• Eyewear – Eye protection is an essential part of hunting. Choose a pair of glasses that provide adequate coverage.  
• Footwear – If you’re going for a walk, choose the right shoes or boots for the job. Look for sturdy soles and ample ankle support that will fare well over uneven ground. 
• Water, Drinks and Snacks – Hot September days means you’ll need to pack water and some jerky or snacks to hold you over until lunch.

A Note on Guns

Both Dan and Heath remember their first dove hunting firearms fondly. “I had a .410 hammer cock single shot shotgun,” says Dan. Heath switched over to an over-under Winchester 20 gauge when he was about seven- or eight-years old. “It was like a safari every day out there. You’d go out and shoot a bunch of stuff and come back with a sack full.” A scattergun is the best option for dove hunting. Says Heath, “I always recommend a 12 gauge – you’ll shoot a squarer pattern. There have been studies that show anything a 20 gauge can do, a 12 gauge can do better. You want a bigger, more square pattern.” Dan chimes in, “I would recommend women and younger hunters shoot a softer-kicking 12 gauge instead of a pump gun if they can afford it, something that’s a semi-automatic. After the single shot, I moved to a pump 20, then to a 12 gauge.”

Understanding Dove Behavior

Migratory habits

Dan notes doves are a migratory bird, “You can hunt them coast to coast.” This also means your time to harvest doves can be very limited. Heath continues, “A dove is the worst roosting animal God ever created, so during a really wet summer, your young and native birds won’t be as plentiful. You’re waiting on the migratory birds, which means you have to wait until the first cold snap up north when the birds start to head south.” In northern parts of the country, doves will migrate after the first freeze and they’ll continue south at a pretty quick clip. Heath and Dan put forth this rule of thumb: if you see doves that day, you shoot them that day (within season) because you don’t know how long they’ll stick around. 

Feeding habits and preferred habitats

Doves subsist almost entirely on a variety of seeds and grains. Favorites include  sunflowers, peanuts, sesame, corn, pigweed, ragweed, hemp, wheat, foxtail, and millet. Heath chimes in “Dove hunting is best in ag fields that have been harvested or prepared for doves.” Occasionally they will feast on berries, fruits, or some greens. Doves also like grit. In order to survive, they need to have grit in their craw to digest their food, hence sandy rings, open fields, and rolling foothills with sandy soil. In the West, Dan has hunted dove near almond orchards or pasture ground where plenty of dove weed grows. 

Selecting a Perfect Hunting Location

Where you choose to hunt depends on what kind of land you have access to. Heath notes doves like to see their feet, which means they favor more open, recently harvested land, watering holes, canals, or orchards. “If I’m dove hunting on private land, I want to be on top of a sandy hill where I can see the ground with plenty of seeds. On public land, I’m looking for Texas millet or a water hole with a sandy ring around it.” When scouting dove hunting locations, keep an eye out for popular perching spots – the place where doves sit just before they land. In hunting areas with trees, doves will opt for tall stands with sparse coverage. As well as you can, monitor the birds’ flight patterns and behavior. Watch for early birds – the birds that fly over a spot before the rest of the flock arrives. These can be key indicators for when it’s time to shoot. 

As both Dan and Heath mention, finding higher ground, even if it’s just slight elevation, can be to your benefit. Dirt and freshly plowed land are also enticing to doves – any habitat that provides seeds and a relatively clear line of sight for the birds. “I’ve walked dirt roads, railroad tracks and canals and filled my limit…the sandy soils and nearby water make these for hot spots if you’re looking for a walking hunt,” says Brunk.

Hunting Seasons and Regulations

Dove hunting is a federal season, and September 1st kicks it off. Make sure to check your state regulations – some states offer early and late dove hunting seasons as well. In addition to a regular hunting license, dove hunters also need to participate in the Harvest Information Program (HIP), which might require buying an additional permit or stamp for hunting migratory birds. Make sure you’re hunting doves in a designated and safe area. Don’t ever shoot the birds off power lines or other common use infrastructure. 

These wily migratory birds are small and can be hard to hit but easy to injure. Heath says, “Don’t shoot a dove until you can see its eyes. If you can look up and see its eyes, then you can shoot. If not, it’s too far away.” 

Preparing for the Hunt

Getting ready for your dove hunt requires gathering your gear, gun, and ammunition. You’ll also want to come up with a plan with your hunting party, deciding how early in the morning you’ll head into the field, foothills, or orchard. If you can, consider setting up your hunting area the day before. Some people even build shooting blinds above the treeline. Pack plenty of food and water for a day in the field. 

Safety precautions and first aid:

Heath and Dan both stress the importance of hunter safety, especially when participating in a sport as social as dove hunting. Here are a few of their tips:

1. Give everyone plenty of space. Heath relies on this rule when planting his dove hunting fields: “I want everyone at least 70 yards apart, so I place a flag at 70-yard intervals. As the rule goes, if you get shot by a shotgun at 40 yards, you’re going to the doctor. At 15 yards, you’re going to the hospital. At 70 yards, you’re just gonna cuss.” 
2. Children shooting doves should have an improved cylinder, and hunters should always be mindful to never let the end of their barrel get below their head. 
3. Again, wear adequate eye protection and hunter’s orange if regquired. 
4. Have a first aid kit handy, and make sure everyone in the group is familiar with the nearest medical facility. 

Techniques for a Successful Hunt

There are a variety of tactics you can use to up your dove hunting game and increase your odds. Some people use decoys, although this technique wasn’t available to the boys back in the day, as Dan says. “We didn’t have any decoys growing up. Now, you can put a couple of MOJO decoys in a grave pasture and the doves are attracted to it.” Try elevating your decoy slightly for better visibility and attractiveness. Game bird calls are another way to draw doves in, but consider using these more sparingly in heavily birded areas as they can also attract other birds, some of which might be threatened or endangered. 

Other tips for improving your odds include:

• Use an improved cylinder choke tube to hone your pattern. 
• Look for corner spots in a field, a point at which the field abuts another parcel of land or water, or a fence line. This will often be a place where birds enter the property. 
• Position yourself to the left or right of their flight pattern to allow for crossing shots. 
• Mark your birds with a visual cue that will help guide you to where the bird fell. This helps ensure you are able to recover your doves. 
• If this is your first time out this season, clean your gun before you go.
• Go for one bird at a time. Finding multiple birds once they’ve fallen can be tricky and time consuming. 
• Shoot high. Going low in a crowded field can be dangerous for bird dogs and other hunters. 

Conclusion

One conversation with two avid dove hunters and it’s clear this isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifelong love. It’s a fellowship. For many, it’s their first experience hunting. After that, it’s some of the best times they’ve ever had in the field. Heath thinks back. “I remember the first dove hunt I ever went on. My daddy took me and it was foggy early in the morning. I wasn’t big enough to shoot a gun yet, but I could tell what was going on.” Over on the West coast, Dan remembers early mornings with his dad and brothers. The tradition still stands, decades later. “I’m in Colorado now, but every September 1st, family and friends post up on my brother’s 40 acres and wait for the birds to come in. Every hunter has that picture somewhere in their house – family, friends, a dog and some birds.”

Spring Habitat Management for Better Deer Hunting in the Fall

When it comes to buying hunting property, Jake Hyland of Hayden Outdoors knows plenty about both. As a broker associate specializing in farm, ranch, dairy stockyards, timberland, and hunting properties, he’s walked thousands of acres on hundreds of farms and ranches throughout the U.S. He’s your go-to guy if you have questions about water and mineral rights, especially in his territories of Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. And when it comes to hunting, his knowledge runs just as deep. Jake has guided trophy elk and deer hunts, pheasants hunts, and waterfowl hunts on some of the most coveted private hunting land in the country. Recently, Jake took a minute to venn diagram his extensive understanding of recreational real estate and spring deer habitat management to talk about spring habitat management for deer hunting to ensure you have a successful hunting season in the fall. 

Understanding Deer Behavior in Spring

Jake notes that deer behavior in the spring is very regionalized. “If you’re in Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming, those big game animals – it doesn’t matter if it’s mule deer, elk, whitetail, or pronghorn – they’re going to be migrating. In the spring, these animals are still in their winter range and they’re getting ready to start the reverse migration back up to where they’re going to spend most of their summer.” Jake contributes this nomadic behavior to weather patterns. The more snow in the mountains, the more likely deer are to move to areas with less snow and more exposed food. 

Conversely, when you get to Eastern Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota, deer tend to be less nomadic. “They have a more regionalized home base, which still may be a few miles, but you’re not talking about hundred-mile migrations. So on properties in this region, the deer have just been hunkered down for the winter. Generally, you’ll find them congregating around large agricultural fields and places with a lot of good thermal cover.” 

Other things to consider are that does can be pregnant during this time, trying to consume and conserve calories, so they will need to be near ample food and water sources. As spring progresses, big agricultural fields where many deer find safe haven will be plowed up, which will influence the animals’ patterns. “At that point the deer will switch to their summer patterns, browsing newly budded tree limbs and wild plants before transitioning back to row crops.” 

Assessing Your Hunting Property

It’s a well known sales tactic to show property mid-summer. Trees are full, flowers are blooming, prairie grasses sway in the breeze. But Jake takes a different approach. “March 1st until mid-May is my favorite time to look at hunting property with potential buyers. From a hunting perspective, that’s the time of year I want to see it.” He feels spring is the best time to look at potential hunting properties for a number of reasons, including:

• You’re not intruding into special bedding areas.
• You’re not impairing any fall hunting conditions or habitats.
• Spring conditions most closely mirror those of the fall, when branches are bare and wildlife travel corridors are most visible. 

When assessing a hunting property:

• Make note of how the animals move through the land.
• See which food sources they’re accessing.
• Learn where they’re bedding and how they’re traveling.
• Look for scrapes, rubs, and other rut indicators.
• Keep an eye out for antler sheds.

When he’s scoping the land, Jake works with his clients to walk it corner to corner, and then begins coming up with a plan for how to make the property better, which leads us to ways to improve the land. 

Habitat Improvement Techniques

Like all animals, a deer’s survival depends on three key fundamentals. “Food, cover, and water are the three ingredients animals need. They want food. They need cover and water.” These three necessities provide an excellent framework for your deer hunting land improvement plan. 

One of the main ways you can improve your deer hunting property in the spring is by planting and maintaining food plots. Jake notes that food and mineral plots for wildlife are very specific region by region, so make sure to check the regulations in your area. The regional characteristics also determine what kind of food your deer will be looking for. For example, in plains areas like Nebraska, your hunting property might border a large corn field where the deer get plenty to eat. In the West, the food plot you plant can entice the animals onto your property. Jake’s rule of thumb is, “Offer your deer something they’re not getting on the neighbor’s property. If you can’t compete with your neighbor’s bedding, then offer the deer a better food plot or water source, such as a pond, spring, or installing an artificial tank.”  

If the deer can find a belly full of corn and grain not far away in an open field, consider providing better cover and water sources that draw them onto your land. Alternatively, if the nearby state forest has an abundance of places to hide, think about putting in a small pond or food plot. 

Creating Edge Habitat

You can also improve edge habitat for the deer. Edge habitat is where two different habitat types come together, and deer spend a lot of their time in this type of area. Some things you can do in the spring to improve edge habitat for the deer are: 

• Hinge cut trees
• Prescribed burns
• Thin dense forest

These methods allow new foliage to grow, providing fresh cover and food for the animals. If you’re weighing the time, money, and energy costs of both methods, Jake recommends the latter. “Strategies like clearing out trees and prescribed burns require a lot less equipment than food plots. Food plots are invaluable, but there are other more cost- and time-effective methods for improving your deer hunting land.” 

Ensure Water Access

Water sources are another key feature of any successful deer hunting property. “Water is something that is overlooked in most regions. Deer will need to hit a water source every day at a minimum.” If you don’t have natural water sources on your property, you’ll want to create or install one. Deer-friendly, man-made water sources can include:

• Small ponds
• Springs
• Artificial tanks
• Rainwater capture systems

Finally, make sure the deer can move freely and easily throughout your property. Clear barriers to entry onto your land, such as old fencing and large downed trees and roots. Providing animals logical and accessible ways to move through your land will help ensure they return year after year. 

Creating a Hunting Oasis

The trail cam industry has come a long way in recent decades. What used to require a trip wire and a visit to your local photo developer now relies on real-time technology and movement-triggered images. “I leave my trail cams out on my farms year-round. If you can help build the full story of the deers’ existence on your property, starting in the spring, you can put the pieces of the puzzle together and learn how you can make your property better.” 

Spring is also a great time to assess the conditions of your hunting blinds. Most branches are still free of leaves and other obstructions, similar to how they will be in the fall during hunting season. “Your chances of disturbing deer go way down if you move big blinds around in April or May versus later in the year.” 

Managing Risks

One of the biggest factors when it comes to ensuring a healthy deer population on your property is predator control. Jake emphasizes the importance of checking with your local regulators on what is allowed. “Coyotes can have a very big impact on doe retention rates and fawning. If coyote numbers are really high and deer have had a tough winter, predation can make a really big swing in the pendulum in just one year.” He recommends reaching out to your local NRCS to find information on local trappers. Most organizations will offer a cooperative agreement with state and local government agencies, sharing the costs of the effort with the land owner. 

You’ll also want to patrol your property for invasive plants. While deer typically avoid eating invasive plants in favor of more flavorful, nutrient-rich naturally occurring plants, a deer population can alter the biodiversity of your land. Work with local organizations and ecologists to ensure your property is free of harmful invasive species. 

Additionally, be mindful of diseases in your area that can impact deer herds. Jake makes the point to rely on trail cams to help monitor deer populations. “If you’re in an area that has suffered a disease and you feel your herd numbers are going down, you can mitigate how many animals you harvest in the fall.” 

Deer Population Monitoring

Tracking deer populations on your hunting property is a good way to help maintain healthy herd sizes. Make sure to be diligent about collecting annual data. Jake encourages hunters and property owners to be mindful of herd numbers and demographics and adjust their hunting limits accordingly. “If you’ve historically taken two mature bucks and five does, maybe switch that up and not take any does in years when herd numbers are down. Or maybe you leave one management buck but still go after two trophy-class deer. In other years, it might be the opposite and you need to up your management plan and harvest more does because they’re hounding the resources on the land.” 

Jake once again relies on trail cams and property data to create a complete 12-month synopsis. As your deer hunting property grows and matures, it’s important to make continual improvements to the land, helping to cultivate healthy deer habitat and populations. 

Conclusion

Deer hunting property is a specific kind of real estate. But to Jake, it’s much more than that. “This is probably one of the biggest investments of your life, but it doesn’t do any good if you go buy 100 acres and it doesn’t have any animals on it.” He’s a big believer in working with a recreational real estate agent who not only knows the area, but hunts in the area. “Someone who’s familiar with the area. Someone who maybe even owns land in the area. That means they’re personally invested in it.” 

If you’re in the market for a viable, successful deer hunting property – one that can become a legacy property, passing from this generation to the next – make sure you look to the experts; people who know a thing or two aboeut ranch and recreational properties because that’s where they grew up, and that’s where they live and hunt today.