Pine Ridge Archery is thrilled to announce our official sponsorship of Driven TV with Pat and Nicole. As one of the most respected husband-and-wife tag teams in the outdoor industry, Pat and Nicole Reeve spend an incredible amount of time in the woods each year pursuing world-class big game. We recently sat down with Pat to pick his brain on the tactics, timing, and gear that have led to his legendary success in the field.
Master the Stealth Approach
Q: Over the years, you have harvested some massive bucks. What is one specific tactic that has consistently helped you succeed?
Pat: “Stand approach is arguably the most important aspect of a successful hunt. I have learned the hard way not to tip whitetails off to the fact that they are being hunted. This often means taking the long way around—using a ‘backdoor’ entry in the morning as deer head back to their bedding areas.
Walking is almost always better than firing up a noisy ATV. Deer will hear you park and can easily track that short distance you walk to your stand. If you must drive, have someone drop you off and drive back out. The deer will hear the 'danger' approach and then assume it has left when the engine fades away. I’ve even had people walk in with me to my stand and then walk back out once I’m settled.
Furthermore, I always clear my path to the stand of all debris. If you make noise on your way in, you decrease your odds dramatically. If I have to cross open fields early in the morning, I’ll go in extra early—at least one hour before legal shooting time—to let the woods settle back down.”
Timing the Rut and the "Lull"
Q: What is your favorite week of the year to be in a treestand?
Pat: “It depends on the geography. In Iowa, it’s the second week of November. In Kansas, it’s the third. In my home state of Minnesota or across the river in Wisconsin, I prefer the first week of November or the late season when deer are slave to food sources.
One of my favorite secrets is how I handle the ‘October Lull.’ While many Midwest hunters see a drop in movement due to falling acorns, I head north to Saskatchewan. The deer there aren't as affected by the lull, and we have had 100% success by hunting those deep forest blocks when the Midwest gets tough.”
Wilderness vs. Pressure
Q: You hunt all over the world. Which location is your absolute favorite for whitetails?
Pat: “Saskatchewan, without a doubt. The wilderness is massive, and the deer don't suffer from the same hunting pressure we see in the States. Bucks reach full maturity, sporting chocolate antlers and massive bodies. Because many have never seen a human, they aren't as spooky. If they do catch your scent, they often circle back out of curiosity rather than disappearing for the season.”
The Competitive Edge: Nitro Vanes
Q: You recently teamed up with Pine Ridge Archery. Have you had a chance to test the new Nitro Vanes yet?
Pat: “We just started shooting them and the performance is incredible. The stabilization and arrow flight are superb, and the durability of the material is exactly what we need for rugged hunts. Best of all, they glue on and hold better than any vane we’ve ever used. I can’t wait to send my first Nitro-equipped arrow through a rib cage!”
About the Author: Tracy Breen is a full-time outdoor writer, speaker and marketing consultant in the outdoor industry. Learn more about him at www.tracybreen.com
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