Making My Hit List, Checking it Twice

by
posted on August 17, 2010
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ot_mind_ah2015_fs.jpg (4)

So, I'm sitting here at my desk staring at an almost totally blank piece of paper with the words "Hit List" sketched out across the top.

I've always wanted to have one of these and, finally, I have enough presents under my deer hunting tree to warrant such a compilation. To date we've spied four or so bucks on my Maryland lease property that will certainly qualify as hittable (or listable, whichever you'd prefer).

There's the mainframe, picket fence 10-point that we've filmed frequenting the soy bean field guarding the western edge of the 120-acre parcel of land. He's joined by a buck that's undoubtedly part of the same bloodline, an 8-point with similar size and stature. I'd say these boys are both mature enough to meet my Rage broadhead when Maryland bow season opens in about a month.

But there are so many factors that go into identifying and monitoring the movements of these deer. First of all, mature bucks are more visible around this time of year than any other, and their patterns will soon change. Studies suggest that on average the center of a deer's fall range will be 500 yards from its summer range (read more in your September issue of American Hunter Magazine). As each deer will behave differently, it is also important to pay attention to the behavioral patterns of the bucks identified. When, how and where will they be active during the fall months? Will they resurface on our trail cameras at all?

The size of my property will also determine how I pursue my hit list bucks. To put it simply, we don't have a huge chunk of land to hunt, and we can't afford to push these deer to adjacent properties. Getting in and out of the woods without disturbing these guys will be crucial.

By the time you've locked your eyes on this blog I'll most likely have filled in the blank space on my "Hit List" page. The first step in the hunting process will be done. Stay tuned for photos of the deer we've been watching and the area's they've been frequenting. Until then, have you got a list for your property?

Latest

Lead Photo 02
Lead Photo 02

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.