Still-Hunting for Trophy Whitetails »

Bill Vaznis has spent a lifetime in pursuit of trophy whitetails. A fulltime writer and photographer, Vaznis's credits include more than one thousand articles published in a variety of major outdoor magazines. He makes his home in upstate New York.

Anthropologists tell us that primitive man evolved in part because of his abilities to still-hunt—moving silently and methodically in pursuit of big game animals. Today, still-hunting is the least understood method of tagging trophy whitetail bucks. To get close enough for a shot, a still-hunter must learn to move with the rhythms of nature, sharing the same terrain, cover, and wind currents as his quarry. Still-Hunting for Trophy Whitetails teaches hunters how to hone their woodsmanship skills to conquer the challenge of stalking bucks. Detail on camouflage and scent control, scrape lines, feeding and bedding areas, and travel routes provide the information necessary for successful "sneaking and peeking." Included is how to choose the ideal still-hunting bow or the right gun for the job and tips on yardage estimation, timing, shooting positions, and bowhunting thin cover. Special techniques for still-hunting and calling during the peak of the rut and tips on imitating doe-in-heat bleats, buck contact and tending grunts, fawn-in-distress bleats, and buck clicks and growls round out the book.

Introduction     V
An Introduction to Still-Hunting
Six Silent Steps     3
Still-Hunting Myths     13
Basic Equipment     24
How to Play the Wind     35
Sounds of Silence     44
How to Beat Buck Fever     51
Successful Still-Hunting Strategies
Cutting Corners: Still-Hunting New Property     63
The Plan     73
Calling on the Prowl     82
How to Still-Hunt a Bedding Area     91
Walking the Line     100
Still-Hunting the Peak of the Rut     108
Still-Hunting Tactics for Bowhunters
Advanced Bowhunting Skills     123
The Moment of Truth     133
Bowhunting Thin Cover     139
After the Shot     145
Lessons Learned     155
Thirty Hours with a Boone & Crockett Buck     155
Still-Hunting with Firearms
How to Wear Blaze Orange Effectively     175
The Connection is Clear-Cut     184
Stalking Bucks on Thunder Road     196
Are You Sure You Missed?     205
Blood-Trailing Marginally Hit Bucks     213
Shooting Tips That Will Save Your Season     220
First Blast!     233
Index     241