There are many different techniques used to hunt deer in Pennsylvania. Every hunter has his own favorite technique that they prefer. They use their favorite technique whenever they can. But a good hunter also learns to use many different techniques.
-Stand Hunting-is when a hunter sits in a tree stand or sits on the ground watching a known deer trail and waits for a deer to come to him. This is a good technique to use on opening day of deer season because all the hunters in the woods get the deer moving. This is best in the early mornings and late evenings when the deer are up and moving. Its best to hang a stand near a bedding area or food source. But during the gun season its a good idea to hang a stand near a big thicket, where they will hide during gun season.
-\Still hunting- is when the hunter walks through the woods looking for deer. This is also popular in Pennsylvania. When using this method, hunters tend to walk fast in order to see lots of country. However, the wise hunter walks slow in order to look more carefully for deer. Often, the whole deer is not visible, and you can only see part of the deer. It pays to have a good pair of binoculars handy, in order to look where you think you see a deer.
-Drives- are when organized groups of hunters push deer towards each other. Some of the hunters walk through a predetermined piece of woods and make a lot of noise to push the deer towards the other hunters waiting where they think the deer are going to come out. These drives are carefully planned to drive the deer out of thick cover towards the standers. Sometimes a good drive is the only way to get deer out of thick clear cuts or thickets The hunter in charge of these drives is called either a Captain or the Drive master. This is a popular technique in Pennsylvania.