Whitetail Hunting Etiquette

whitetail deer hunting preserve, Hidden Hollow Whitetail Ranch

Like any sport, most play by the rules but there are always the few who break and bend the written and unspoken rules. Not following the written whitetail hunting regulations of your state can result in serious repercussions such as fines, weapon seizes, and even having your hunting license revoked. While following the book, there are a few common courtesy practices you should follow to respect your fellow whitetail hunters and the whitetails you are hunting for.

You should remember to always show respect to another hunter's space and equipment if you come across it. Many woods have multiple hunters in the same space. Don't use or mess with treestands that have been put up by another sportsman, or fiddle with their trail cameras. It isn't always possible to know precisely where hunters are and their target area, regardless you should try to be mindful when entering and exiting the woods to not disturb their hunting perimeter if possible.

Respecting whitetail deer means remembering that these animals are wild, but are still regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for species conservation and growth. You should only be taking your whitetail deer hunting tag allotment to help protect the species from environmental eradication. Taking whitetail deer that are above your tag limit is considered poaching and can result in legal action. We understand tracking can be difficult, but if you take a deer and can not find it, you should take that into consideration in further shots. Chances are the deer still perished and should be counted in the deer taken from the area.

When it comes to tracking a whitetail after taking a shot, remember to be mindful of where you are at. Crossing property lines, with or without conscious knowledge, can put you at risk for trespassing if the landowner catches you where you are unwanted. It is good practice to always check with landowners before season to see if they mind you tracking a deer onto their property. This clears you for uninterrupted tracking. This does not give you permission to hunt on their land, which would be a separate permission and conversation.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources establishes rules for when you are allowed to be in the woods with season dates as well as sunrise/sunset rules. For more about those rules, visit their website. Hunters in Ohio must also take a hunter education and safety course, which is offered for free, before you are able to but a permit. If you are interested in taking the course for the first time or would like a refresher, check out this online hunter education study guide.

When on a whitetail hunting preserve, like Hidden Hollow Whitetail Ranch, you should still follow
Ohio hunting safety regulations and practice respect. The ranch owner puts in a great deal of effort to create a sporting environment for hunter success.

Comments