Harrell’s Top Five Deer Hunting Tips

(Image: Screenshot from video)

Three years ago, Paul Harrell posted a video called “Five tips for successful deer hunting.” Hmmm, whatever could they be? Let’s find out.

“Why ‘top five?’ Because people seem to love top five lists — and because I only know five things about deer hunting!”

1) Hunt deer where the deer are

Super obvious? Yep. But also something worth pointing out, because many a greenhorn hunter has spent days and days hunting where there just aren’t that many deer. Like Paul, it took me numerous seasons before I got my first deer, because back then there weren’t nearly as many deer in the world. And I didn’t know a heck of a lot about finding out where the deer liked to hang around. To that end, Paul offers some pointers:

• Scout early for fresh deer sign
• Use trail cameras
• Look around at night

2) Use the right method for the area

Paul uses more words than that, but that’s what he meant. And he covers three methods of hunting and what sorts of conditions they are best suited to.

• Still hunting. Unlike its name, “still hunting” is actually about a hunter moving through the woods or fields.
• Stand hunting. You can sit while hunting from a stand. The stand itself is simply some sort of elevated platform from which a hunter may observe critters.
• Driving deer. Some hunters or “drivers” walk through an area making noise to push or drive the deer ahead of them while other hunters select a place ahead of the “drivers” to patiently await any deer which may come by, spooked by the drivers.

3) Use the right firearm.

Use a cartridge and firearm that’s suited to the terrain and area in which you will be hunting, and above all, make sure you can shoot it accurately with the ammo you’ll be using.

4) Prepare for the hunt.

This means things like buying your hunting license and making sure you have it with you, sharp skinning knives/gear, flashlight, spare batteries, binoculars, etc. It also means preparing yourself physically if you don’t live an active lifestyle outside of deer season.

5) Be skeptical of deer hunting “experts.”

He’s right, you know. Most folks who claim to know it all are usually, well, know-it-alls. And as Paul points out, some hunters will lie to others intentionally just to throw them off.

Oddly enough, he really does stop at 5 this time. Enjoy the video.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.