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Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





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Don't get "rattled" there's still time!

Deer Hunter Rattling

Deer season is now underway here in Maine. If you haven't gotten a deer yet don't worry, you're not alone. It can take lots of time, patience, and let's face it...even a little luck sometimes too! However, there are a few things that you may want to try or even change about your approach if you hope to increase your chances. A few adjustments, and a fresh start, could be all that you need!      

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Tips and Reminders

* **What's that smell? - **It's you! According to some estimates, deer can smell something half a mile away and their sense of smell is 500-1000 times that of a human. That means that we can never be too careful when it comes to mitigating odor. Consider washing clothing with unscented laundry detergent or baking soda and sealing your hunting clothes in scent-proof bags or totes. Use fragrance free shampoos, soaps, and deodorants. Avoid contaminating your already treated clothing with any smells that are unfamiliar to a deer and that may draw attention to yourself, such as perfumes/cologne, gasoline, or the aromas from a camp breakfast. 
* *Slow down -* Unless you are purposely trying to cover a lot of ground, hurrying through the woods can negatively impact your hunt in a number of ways. Here are a few examples: it can cause the body temperature to rise, increasing sweat and odor; it produces excess noise, and ultimately gives yet another advantage to an already keen animal (this applies to hunting on foot or heading into your stand or blind); and it can cause you to overlook sign and fail to use one of your most effective tools, your eyes, to scan for movement or potentially catch a whitetail standing still.   
* *Back to basics* - With all of the advice and countless products on the market today, it is easy to think that another "thing" or gimmick will solve your deer hunting woes. The reality is, that while there is some great gear and advice out there, many of the same old "tried and true" tactics are still your best bet. Things like basic scent control, checking wind direction, studying tracks, looking for bedding and feeding areas, and just putting in that extra effort can pay huge dividends in the end.   
* *It's all in the call - *Okay, so that is a bit of an overstatement, but calling can be one of the most effective ways to entice a whitetail. Certain calls work better at different times of the season, so it would be good to research how and when to use each one. Generally speaking, the three most basic methods/types of calls are a fawn or doe bleat, a rattle, and a grunt. A couple of things to keep in mind while using each: If you are not comfortable calling, don't do it. Nothing can "spook" a deer faster than a poorly timed or misused call. Make sure to not over do it. Calling too much is a common mistake even for experienced hunters. Be careful when using any call that requires movement. Deer will not only be drawn to the sound, but will also come looking for the source!         
* *Time for a change? - *Maybe the location that you chose before the start of the season is not panning out. Deer activity will change throughout the season so don't be afraid to make some adjustments if necessary. Perhaps relocating a tree stand or taking a new path into an existing one, will pay off. Despite pre-season scouting efforts, accounting for the impact that fellow hunters will have on deer activity can be extremely challenging. If hunting pressure has affected your spot, some mid-season scouting may be in order along with a new strategy. If nothing seems to be working, it might make sense to abandon your current location altogether and seek out new opportunities. But don't get discouraged, deer hunting in Maine requires patience and persistence.        





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Safety Reminders

* Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded
* Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times
* Always carry your firearm in a safe manner
* Be sure of your target and beyond
* Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
* Always have a survival kit and compass, even the most experienced outdoors people can get turned around in the dark

 

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More Information

Purchase a hunting license or permit online [ [link removed] ]
Antlerless deer permit information [ [link removed] ]
Plan your hunt [ [link removed] ]
Find a place to hunt [ [link removed] ]
Search Maine's hunting laws [ [link removed] ]
Keep CWD out of Maine [ [link removed] ]
Hunting with nonlead ammunition [ [link removed] ]
Do not eat deer advisory for Greater Fairfield [ [link removed] ]








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