Deer Hunting 101 Deer hunting is an amazing sport that I have enjoyed every year since I was 12 years old. Many of the same techniques that I use every October in real-life deer hunting can actually be applied to this simple yet amazing simulation. And while there are thousands of aspects of deer hunting that this game doesn't touch on, some very basic fundamentals hold true for both real hunters and virtual hunters, such as: keep the wind in your face, follow deer signs, know your equipment, and make the first shot count. Finding the Big Bucks Just like in real estate, hunting success is often determined by location. Always keep in mind that deer have an amazing sense of smell, so you should try to move in sync with the directions of the wind. Move your target icon around the map until you find some signs of a deer's presence, like droppings, rubbings, and beds. Most of the deer signs can be found in the dense section of woods surrounding the opens, since bucks stay out of the opens to avoid being seen. You should try to do the same. Once you find a deer sign, begin the hunt. In the Hunt As soon as you enter the first-person hunting screen, take a quick look around to see if you happen to drop in on an unsuspecting buck. After a quick glance around, take a closer look at the heavily wooded areas - they may be hiding a buck. Once you're convinced that these areas are devoid of any bucks, use the deer call one time, followed by three rattles of the horns. This will attract any deer in the area to come closer. Wait quietly, all the while slowly scanning your surroundings for any signs of movement. You may want to use the deer call a couple more times, followed by the rattle again. Whenever the hunter says something about moving on or trying another spot, take his advice. Closing the Deal Once you have a buck spotted, the real fun begins. If you spot a deer and he doesn't appear to be aware of your presence, you have a few options: You can either pull out your binoculars to see if he's worth bagging, or you may just want to go ahead and take a shot. If you are using the shotgun or the bow and the buck seems a little out of range, you might give a toot on the deer call a couple times to try to get the buck to come a little closer. If the buck becomes aware of your presence, all you will suddenly see is his tail as he runs away. If you feel that you can make the shot, take it, but if your marksmanship skills just aren't your strong point, you're better advised to let the deer run out of view and take note of the direction he was heading. Quit out of the first-person perspective, and from the map view move your icon in the direction the deer was heading - you might be able to catch up to him. Next: The Well-Equipped Hunter