Magicman54494

[Spysar]

I wanted to do this one before, but there's no time like the present. I'm really interested in Magics techniques. Especially the snow tracking. That's something I do to, but not on a trophy buck level. I'm sure others would like to know how the Magic happens.

[cornfedkiller]

Would love to hear this as well!

Speaking of Magic, I was just thinking the other day..where the heck is he? Havent seen or heard from him in a while now..

[cwoods]

If Im not mistaken there is a thread discussing his tatics. BTT either way.

[Indianahunter]

Yeah....Where the heck are you Todd? Not the same place without you.

[GRFox]

Yeah....Where the heck are you Todd? Not the same place without you.

I was wondering the same thing, haven't seen him on here in a long while.

[Hodag Hunter]

Talked with him very briefly today.....he is still in MN with no interenet and poor cell reception.

Could be weeks before he decides to come out of the big MN northwoods.....you all know magic.

[BigHunt]

i also have a question for him on cabin repaire

[Spysar]

ttt

[mike_mc]

Wanted to bump this thread, don't think Magicman saw it.

[Stanley]

The Magic show would be good.

[PLB]

I'm curious about Magics tactics also! Just keep the thread active til he gets back from the bush!! LOL!

[ Post made via Android ]

[magicman54494]

I wanted to do this one before, but there's no time like the present. I'm really interested in Magics techniques. Especially the snow tracking. That's something I do to, but not on a trophy buck level. I'm sure others would like to know how the Magic happens.

Well there ain't really much magic, sorry.
I got interested in tracking and did a bunch of research and there isn't much info out there. The Benoits and Hal blood have published some stuff. There is another family out east - I dont know the spelling - Berniers? they published a book but it's out of print and the used ones are out of my price range.
I read the books and watched the DVD's until I almost memorized them. I got out on the snow and started following tracks. I was frustrated at first but decided that no one gets good at anything until they work hard and practice harder. I had success my first year and early success does flame the fire! The books and DVD's help to get you started but you really won't learn much until you hit the snow.
Some pointers from a rookies' point of view.
1. You are going to lose your track often. You need to get good at staying with your track before you will have any success. This requires a lot of practice so just keep trying and eventually you get better. Start out on fresh snow because there are less trackes to mess you up.
2. The books will tell you tendancies like when they feed they will bed. This might be true but don't count on it. I followed one this year that fed for 2 1/2 miles.
3. You can't shoot the deer if your looking down at the track. You have to learn to spend very little time looking down or you will miss your chance.
4. Scan left and right constantly. It's easy to just look in the direction the deer is traveling but they turn a lot and often hook off to the side to bed. If your only looking forward you will miss out.
5. your first encounter will be your best chance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. no matter how many times you fail you have to believe that it works. It does if you don't give up.
7. You will most likely be taking running shots so practice at getting on target and one thing I like to do is pull on birds and animals and just try to stay on them. I don't shoot them but just swinging with them is great practice at getting on moving targets.
8. The deer tell you a lot when you follow them. I enjoy just reading what the tracks tell me as much as getting a deer. Things you will learn are where they travel, what they eat, where they bed, and much more! I've learned more about big buck behavior in a few seasons of tracking then in all my other years combined. That alone is worth the effort.
9. Sitting in a stand all day is boring as heck. LOL

I had a good year and probably only put on 30 miles. I think there is luck involved and I also think that I'm getting better. The year before I know I walked 100 miles. Snow conditions make a huge difference as well. Crunchy snow is tough!

The one area I'm working on is how to approach tracking once I have made contact. The Benoits believe in pushing them until they give you a chance. Hal Blood says to wait an hour then start in again. I'm playing with both techniques with limited success.

I have 4 years under my belt and I see improvement but I know I have a lot to learn. I've done well though and it by far my best technique for taking deer. I have killed 4 bucks that ranged in age from 2-6 years old (estimate). I have also missed 2 deer and I let 2 walk and swung on another without pulling the trigger. This is in areas where most guys are just happy to see deer.

[Stanley]

I wanted to do this one before, but there's no time like the present. I'm really interested in Magics techniques. Especially the snow tracking. That's something I do to, but not on a trophy buck level. I'm sure others would like to know how the Magic happens.

Well there ain't really much magic, sorry.
I got interested in tracking and did a bunch of research and there isn't much info out there. The Benoits and Hal blood have published some stuff. There is another family out east - I dont know the spelling - Berniers? they published a book but it's out of print and the used ones are out of my price range.
I read the books and watched the DVD's until I almost memorized them. I got out on the snow and started following tracks. I was frustrated at first but decided that no one gets good at anything until they work hard and practice harder. I had success my first year and early success does flame the fire! The books and DVD's help to get you started but you really won't learn much until you hit the snow.
Some pointers from a rookies' point of view.
1. You are going to lose your track often. You need to get good at staying with your track before you will have any success. This requires a lot of practice so just keep trying and eventually you get better. Start out on fresh snow because there are less trackes to mess you up.
2. The books will tell you tendancies like when they feed they will bed. This might be true but don't count on it. I followed one this year that fed for 2 1/2 miles.
3. You can't shoot the deer if your looking down at the track. You have to learn to spend very little time looking down or you will miss your chance.
4. Scan left and right constantly. It's easy to just look in the direction the deer is traveling but they turn a lot and often hook off to the side to bed. If your only looking forward you will miss out.
5. your first encounter will be your best chance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. no matter how many times you fail you have to believe that it works. It does if you don't give up.
7. You will most likely be taking running shots so practice at getting on target and one thing I like to do is pull on birds and animals and just try to stay on them. I don't shoot them but just swinging with them is great practice at getting on moving targets.
8. The deer tell you a lot when you follow them. I enjoy just reading what the tracks tell me as much as getting a deer. Things you will learn are where they travel, what they eat, where they bed, and much more! I've learned more about big buck behavior in a few seasons of tracking then in all my other years combined. That alone is worth the effort.
9. Sitting in a stand all day is boring as heck. LOL

I had a good year and probably only put on 30 miles. I think there is luck involved and I also think that I'm getting better. The year before I know I walked 100 miles. Snow conditions make a huge difference as well. Crunchy snow is tough!

The one area I'm working on is how to approach tracking once I have made contact. The Benoits believe in pushing them until they give you a chance. Hal Blood says to wait an hour then start in again. I'm playing with both techniques with limited success.

I have 4 years under my belt and I see improvement but I know I have a lot to learn. I've done well though and it by far my best technique for taking deer. I have killed 4 bucks that ranged in age from 2-6 years old (estimate). I have also missed 2 deer and I let 2 walk and swung on another without pulling the trigger. This is in areas where most guys are just happy to see deer.

Great tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[JRM6868]

Is one of these the book your talking about Magic?

1) http://www.bigwhitetail.com/deertrackersjourney.htm

2) http://www.bigwhitetail.com/deertrackers_audio.htm

3) http://www.bigwhitetail.com/deertrackers.htm

4) http://www.bigwhitetail.com/onthetrack.htm

If so which number?

[Black Squirrel]

Good Stuff!