I am 58 and going on my first hunt Nov. 5th - opening day for muzzleloader. If you could give only one tip for a rookie, what would it be?

Background: I'll be hunting a 133 acre forested area in Virginia. A mix of dense briar, hardwoods that are fairly open, and the property is crossed by several streams. Terrain has some ridges through and around it. No fields or food plots on the property but the adjoining lands have some large "feeding" areas. That's all I got from my first time scouting.

Thanks for any helpful hints!

My advice is be patient. Enjoy the hunt and just being in the woods. The kills will come in time if you are patient and persistent. Some of my fondest hunting memories came from hunts where I never fired a shot.

Good advice. Thank you so much.

I live next door to there in West Virginia. Here is a hint. Pay attention to Acorns. If you can find an area with white acorns close to a bedding are. Your in the spot. Hunt s****e lines that are active. Dont get caught up hunting in the "Woods" unless you know there are deer in the area. But you must find White acorns that have acorns falling or on the ground. Pay attention to bedding areas that lead to feeding there. Good luck and be safe. Like Archer said. After that Enjoy your hunt, be patient. My best hunts i didnt even get one.. so yea.

I live next door to there in West Virginia. Here is a hint. Pay attention to Acorns. If you can find an area with white acorns close to a bedding are. Your in the spot. Hunt s****e lines that are active. Dont get caught up hunting in the "Woods" unless you know there are deer in the area. But you must find White acorns that have acorns falling or on the ground. Pay attention to bedding areas that lead to feeding there. Good luck and be safe. Like Archer said. After that Enjoy your hunt, be patient. My best hunts i didnt even get one.. so yea.

GO SENT FREE SIT STILL.

So, no beans for breakfast? Thanks Bobby! Happy hunting!

LOL! beans

Hope you had a successful first hunt. I'm chiming in late after the season but wanted to give some tips for next year if it helps any.

Keep all hunting clothes, socks, hats, gloves, etc. that you wear in the field in an airtight container after washing them with scent killer. I personally run my stuff through the laundry with scent eliminating detergent and put the clothes directly into a vacuum sealed plastic travel bag. Dress at the site of where you plan to hunt. Don't chance wearing your hunting clothes in your truck and all that, you'll end up picking up scent.

If you are hunting by tree stand, make sure you trim branches for a good shooting lane while also leaving enough to conceal yourself. When you get into the stand, safety harness up and practice standing up and getting into shooting position in each shooting lane. This will allow you to spot missed trim spots and will allow you to practice getting into position without making noise.

If you are in the mountains, plan accordingly and make sure you have to proper maps that can guide you the easiest up the mountain. When you get to a desirable spot, glass, glass, glass. I've sat in the mountains long enough to find out that roaming around up there just doesn't pay off. It turns into a hike instead of a hunt. It doesn't seem like VA mountains are too extreme but make sure you have enough gear to last you a night even if you don't plan on staying. I've heard too many people getting lost up in the hills.

I live in Virginia too and have hunted just about every piece of terrain in the state so if you have questions, you can always message me. Heck, if you are anywhere near NOVA let me know and we can set up a hunt.

Happy Hunting!