In this Backyard Life video, Michael Waddell’s sharing two simple, yet commonly overlooked deer hunting tactics. And the Bone Collector star has proof that they work—especially if you live in the south like he does.
Clearing and Maintaining Lanes
When hunting whitetail deer, the first thing Waddell does (normally in August and September) is clear and maintain his hunting lanes. While bush hogging is how most hunters deal with grown-up lanes, Waddell handles this chore with his Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn. Deer love bedding habit and—with his food plots—Waddell needs to keep lanes clear. He’s created a wagon-wheel-shaped food plot, and has positioned his hunting stand in the middle of it to serve as a “spoke.” By doing so, the deer will use these lanes as spokes (as opposed to traveling thicker areas) and funnel directly into shooting sight. If you use a mower like Waddell does, he suggests adjusting your deck height, accordingly.
Gun and Bow Shot Placement
Waddell says a second overlooked deer hunting tactic is shot placement. Whether you hunt with a bow or gun, he says to focus on a deer’s lungs and heart vs. aiming dead center. If you do the latter, Waddell says you’re going to hit the deer high out of the vitals, or you’re going to miss him high completely, 90-95% of the time. Waddell always imagines the deer’s anatomy, then aims for their baseball-size heart. Although he rarely hit them in the heart, but does so a little higher in the double lungs. Waddell says to concentrate on the heart’s lower third if you’re bowhunting, and to pull up tight on the shoulders and let ‘er rip If you’re a rifle hunter. Both target location suggestions will help you be more successful—and the Bone Collector has the video evidence to prove it!
By following these two commonly overlooked tactics, Waddell says you’ll put the finishing touches on closing the coffin on a whitetail deer you and your family can then enjoy eating.
We say happy hunting!
