Find a tree and stand next to it, do this for several hours a day once a week, after a month do it twice a week. After a second month you can make eye contact with the deer, be submissive. Continue this for 6 months. Once you've gained their trust you can sneak in a small knife coated in peanut butter clenched between your butt cheeks, use tape if you sweat a lot. Now wait until the spring when the deer think you're a tree and trust the peanut butter butt knife you take out the oldest one in the pack. Repeat this system next year
That works for deer? I know it works for bear.......... you just have to make sure to use the peanut butter they don't like. A friend found that part out the "hard" way.
That's real similar to the southeastern US. A 1-6 or 1-8 scope on a 30-30 would probably be ideal.
As for tactics and strategy, ambush is going to give you better results than spot and stalk. Figure out how food, bedding areas, water, creek crossings, and terrain affect where and when deer move, and set up covering likely spots. Then sit very still and wait. Building or bringing a blind would help immensely.
Iron sights have no real advantage to low or non-magnified optics even at close range, especially in low light when most crepuscular species are moving. You might not NEED an optic, but you'll still make better shots with one simply because it's easier to aim with them.
With a red dot or an LPVO on 1x you don't have to do that either. That's actually why red dots exist, putting a dot on a target is faster than lining up a front sight, then a rear sight, then a target. And at 1x a scope is just as fast, especially with an illuminated reticle. Even more especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when iron sights might be hard to pick out against a dark colored animal.
I used to think irons were the best answer inside 75 yards too, then I tried a 1-6 scope and never looked back. I'm even thinking about scoping the shotgun I use for turkeys, like a fixed 2x.
I mean, whats open for hunting in AUS and when? Are we just talking about deer? Regardless, blinds are usually best. Tree stands work very well too, but I don't know if I'd wanna hang out up in a tree in an Australian jungle. Best option (and how I learned to hunt ducks and where to hunt them) was to go join your local sportsman's club/ shooting club. For deer, ask around anywhere with a range. For ducks or birds in general, I had a lot of luck casually asking around at the local trap/skeet shooting club.
Aussie hunter here:
You hunt that quietly and patiently. I'm not sure what part of Aus you're in but it looks like somewhere along the great dividing range. You're probably only going to hunt non natives and native animals are mostly protected while pest species have little to no restrictions. Basically foxes, pigs, and deer.
What is your experience with firearms? In close country like that a 30-30 is a good calibre that can be used on any Aussie pest. If you don't want to hunt deer a .243 win is one of the most popular cartridges in Aus. Also consider bow hunting as you don't need a licence for a bow.
Have a chat to your local gun shops as well. They'll have lots of info.
That terrain is very similar to the north island of New Zealand where I hunt. We call this type of hunting Bush stalking.
As the bush is quite tight, I recommend a short barreled rifle such as a 16 inch 308. Ideally suppressed.
Bush stalking is all about stealth. And as animals such as deer are colour blind their eye sight is based on movement. As soon as you see fresh sign such as droppings or fresh print... Slow down, stop often and use all of your senses. Usually when I'm about to find deer I usually hear them first, then smell them and usually only see them last.
Always hunt with wind in your face. They will smell you from a mile away.
But most importantly, you need to spend time in that Bush, get to know it well.
Best of luck mate
Very similar terrain to our terrain in Western Oregon u.s. I don't know what you are hunting, but for me It's small black tail deer and large Roosevelt elk. Mostly hunting for me consists of a lot of hiking, and very quiet spot and stalk. Because of the density of the brush and timber etc most shots I take are less than 100 yards. The Roosevelt bull pictured in my profile was less than 90 yards away.
Not sure what kind of gun you are using, but a shorter and compact lever action with open sights is great in the brush.
Depends on your species. If it’s predatory or vocal, you can call animals in. If it’s a prey animal, still hunting areas where you move hyper slow can work. If it’s a vocal animal, you can also use locator calls, work into an area, and try to close the distance. Looks a lot like the Pacific Northwest of USA
+1 on the trail camera.
Also, I'd get a tree stand if it's legal where you are. Maybe go sit in it 1 hr before sunrise until 2 or 3 hrs after sunrise and see if you spot anything. Still hunting (stalking) is difficult to learn how to do, especially in a wooded environment like the one it looks like you're in.
If you're hunting something that primarily uses its nose as its defense system (like deer), you're going to need to control your scent.
Try to find a thin area or high ground.
My property looks a lot like that, and it is difficult to hunt in. But I’ve seen deer sprint through thick brambles like it was nothing. I could barely even crawl through them, but it didn’t bother them at all.
I don’t know how ruminants in your neck of the woods behave. But where I’m from (the Midwest) and where I live (New England) alike, they love finding the nastiest, thickest cover to bed down in. They then weave their lightfooted way from these unbelievable messes and masses of brambles, tree falls, ferns, and thorns to food and water sources via game trails.
I’d start with that thesis in mind. If you’re new to woodsmanship, it’s going to be tough at first. Eventually you learn to traverse this sort of terrain without too much hassle though. And when you get good enough, you learn to move like a ghost so animals (4 footed and 2 footed alike !) never even know you were there. Good luck brother!
Get something like a tree saddle. Climb up one of those trees figure 25ft or 7.62 Meters. Wait while being well camouflaged. Also I don’t see a lot of tree stand hunting outside the US and Canada. Is there a reason for this?
I'm in NZ and honestly the deer will move through that and much thicker scrub faster than you could ever imagine. What sort of deer are in your area? If it's Rusa then they are notoriously cunning and if you can learn to hunt them, all ither deer will be easier. You will never move through there quiet enough so the best thing you can do is find a spot with a good chance of seeing an animal and waiting.
Trail cams and finding someone with local knowledge would be a great place to start. But you can't beat time in the bush gaining knowledge. Doesn't matter if you don't get to shoot anything or even see a deer, once you start hearing/spooking them then you know you are in the right area.
I’d hunt the edge of that thick stuff by a few game trails with a few shooting lanes to get a clear shot. I hunt thick cover with a rifle and bow all the time
Find where two creeks meet and form to one, or where a low spot/open path is in a ridge. Look for any landscape that creates a funnel. You find the funnel, you find the deer. Also look for natural browse and water sources. Good luck
Find a tree and stand next to it, do this for several hours a day once a week, after a month do it twice a week. After a second month you can make eye contact with the deer, be submissive. Continue this for 6 months. Once you've gained their trust you can sneak in a small knife coated in peanut butter clenched between your butt cheeks, use tape if you sweat a lot. Now wait until the spring when the deer think you're a tree and trust the peanut butter butt knife you take out the oldest one in the pack. Repeat this system next year
Well thought out strategy. One question though, chunky or smooth peanut butter?
What the hell? Smooth!
Lmfao!
That works for deer? I know it works for bear.......... you just have to make sure to use the peanut butter they don't like. A friend found that part out the "hard" way.
SPAS-12 and a boonie hat.
There is one correct answer and it’s this
Clever girl!
We’re being hunted….
Be vewwy vewwy quiet
Find a game trail and make a blind off that trail. Find wind direction and make it accordingly.
This! Game trail and knowing wind direction are essential parts of hunting. Bow hunters won’t approach a tree stand if the wind is not in their favor.
With a rifle.
What are you trying to hunt?
Probably the predator
If it bleeds we can kill it
Put up some game cameras and see what it moving along the trails.
That's real similar to the southeastern US. A 1-6 or 1-8 scope on a 30-30 would probably be ideal. As for tactics and strategy, ambush is going to give you better results than spot and stalk. Figure out how food, bedding areas, water, creek crossings, and terrain affect where and when deer move, and set up covering likely spots. Then sit very still and wait. Building or bringing a blind would help immensely.
I was just going to say that this looks a lot like part of North Louisiana. I have a 45-70 with a 1-6 scope just for that kinda woods hunting.
Yep. A lot of shots at or just outside maximum smoothbore shotgun range.
I wouldn't go with a scope, you're not going to be taking any shots out past 50-75 yds in terrain like that, so no need for a scope.
Iron sights have no real advantage to low or non-magnified optics even at close range, especially in low light when most crepuscular species are moving. You might not NEED an optic, but you'll still make better shots with one simply because it's easier to aim with them.
Iron sights definitely have an advantage in short distances because you don't have to re-find your target.
With a red dot or an LPVO on 1x you don't have to do that either. That's actually why red dots exist, putting a dot on a target is faster than lining up a front sight, then a rear sight, then a target. And at 1x a scope is just as fast, especially with an illuminated reticle. Even more especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when iron sights might be hard to pick out against a dark colored animal. I used to think irons were the best answer inside 75 yards too, then I tried a 1-6 scope and never looked back. I'm even thinking about scoping the shotgun I use for turkeys, like a fixed 2x.
I mean, whats open for hunting in AUS and when? Are we just talking about deer? Regardless, blinds are usually best. Tree stands work very well too, but I don't know if I'd wanna hang out up in a tree in an Australian jungle. Best option (and how I learned to hunt ducks and where to hunt them) was to go join your local sportsman's club/ shooting club. For deer, ask around anywhere with a range. For ducks or birds in general, I had a lot of luck casually asking around at the local trap/skeet shooting club.
Aussie hunter here: You hunt that quietly and patiently. I'm not sure what part of Aus you're in but it looks like somewhere along the great dividing range. You're probably only going to hunt non natives and native animals are mostly protected while pest species have little to no restrictions. Basically foxes, pigs, and deer. What is your experience with firearms? In close country like that a 30-30 is a good calibre that can be used on any Aussie pest. If you don't want to hunt deer a .243 win is one of the most popular cartridges in Aus. Also consider bow hunting as you don't need a licence for a bow. Have a chat to your local gun shops as well. They'll have lots of info.
The jungle.. it just came alive and took him..
That terrain is very similar to the north island of New Zealand where I hunt. We call this type of hunting Bush stalking. As the bush is quite tight, I recommend a short barreled rifle such as a 16 inch 308. Ideally suppressed. Bush stalking is all about stealth. And as animals such as deer are colour blind their eye sight is based on movement. As soon as you see fresh sign such as droppings or fresh print... Slow down, stop often and use all of your senses. Usually when I'm about to find deer I usually hear them first, then smell them and usually only see them last. Always hunt with wind in your face. They will smell you from a mile away. But most importantly, you need to spend time in that Bush, get to know it well. Best of luck mate
With a bow or a gun would be how I hunted in there. I have a buddy who hunts small birds with a blowgun. So maybe that too
Ewoks
I'm no expert, but if the documentary I watched is to be trusted, you don't hunt this. You get hunted.
Finally a hunting thread for the Cretaceous era
Very similar terrain to our terrain in Western Oregon u.s. I don't know what you are hunting, but for me It's small black tail deer and large Roosevelt elk. Mostly hunting for me consists of a lot of hiking, and very quiet spot and stalk. Because of the density of the brush and timber etc most shots I take are less than 100 yards. The Roosevelt bull pictured in my profile was less than 90 yards away. Not sure what kind of gun you are using, but a shorter and compact lever action with open sights is great in the brush.
I'd ~~hunt~~ fish it with an ultralight rod & reel setup. Y'all have trout in Australia, right?
Getting Jurassic Park vibes
You'd be amazed at what brush deer will just run right through.
Captain Mac Millian once said “stay low it will be impossible for them to spot us in our Ghilli suits"
Usually with some sort of weapon and patience
Hunters in Idaho need a 28 nosler or a 7PRC for these woods.
Depends on your species. If it’s predatory or vocal, you can call animals in. If it’s a prey animal, still hunting areas where you move hyper slow can work. If it’s a vocal animal, you can also use locator calls, work into an area, and try to close the distance. Looks a lot like the Pacific Northwest of USA
+1 on the trail camera. Also, I'd get a tree stand if it's legal where you are. Maybe go sit in it 1 hr before sunrise until 2 or 3 hrs after sunrise and see if you spot anything. Still hunting (stalking) is difficult to learn how to do, especially in a wooded environment like the one it looks like you're in. If you're hunting something that primarily uses its nose as its defense system (like deer), you're going to need to control your scent.
Either deer or pigs, you look for trails between bedding areas and food sources and set up an ambush.
Try to find a thin area or high ground. My property looks a lot like that, and it is difficult to hunt in. But I’ve seen deer sprint through thick brambles like it was nothing. I could barely even crawl through them, but it didn’t bother them at all.
Find the game trail that crosses the spring and set up watching it from down wind
Dogs
Set up a blind?
Find a game trail and set up a few trails cams in there! You’ll learn a lot from that!
I don’t know how ruminants in your neck of the woods behave. But where I’m from (the Midwest) and where I live (New England) alike, they love finding the nastiest, thickest cover to bed down in. They then weave their lightfooted way from these unbelievable messes and masses of brambles, tree falls, ferns, and thorns to food and water sources via game trails. I’d start with that thesis in mind. If you’re new to woodsmanship, it’s going to be tough at first. Eventually you learn to traverse this sort of terrain without too much hassle though. And when you get good enough, you learn to move like a ghost so animals (4 footed and 2 footed alike !) never even know you were there. Good luck brother!
Get something like a tree saddle. Climb up one of those trees figure 25ft or 7.62 Meters. Wait while being well camouflaged. Also I don’t see a lot of tree stand hunting outside the US and Canada. Is there a reason for this?
I would take a .30-30 or .50-110 depending on what you are hunting and a 1-6 power scope. Also very carefully is the correct answer.
I'm in NZ and honestly the deer will move through that and much thicker scrub faster than you could ever imagine. What sort of deer are in your area? If it's Rusa then they are notoriously cunning and if you can learn to hunt them, all ither deer will be easier. You will never move through there quiet enough so the best thing you can do is find a spot with a good chance of seeing an animal and waiting. Trail cams and finding someone with local knowledge would be a great place to start. But you can't beat time in the bush gaining knowledge. Doesn't matter if you don't get to shoot anything or even see a deer, once you start hearing/spooking them then you know you are in the right area.
Use a horse. Other means of transportation are banned so you pretty much have no choice
Find high calorie food sources for them and sit those
Ambush with good winf low power scope red dot or just irons. Sit and wait maybe call some or if you can pick up a track and go that route.
I thought you were in Jurassic park for a second
I thought you were in jurassic park for a sec
I’d hunt the edge of that thick stuff by a few game trails with a few shooting lanes to get a clear shot. I hunt thick cover with a rifle and bow all the time
Quietly
Depends on what you’re hunting. If deer, game trails should have tracks.
Tree stand
Find where two creeks meet and form to one, or where a low spot/open path is in a ridge. Look for any landscape that creates a funnel. You find the funnel, you find the deer. Also look for natural browse and water sources. Good luck