There are five common methods of big game hunting. The first method is stand hunting. This is generally the most common method, depending on the terrain. This is done by waiting where deer are likely to travel. Stand hunting is commonly done in an elevated tree stand, but it can be done in a blind on the ground, although hunting blinds are generally on the ground they are often more common to use because it allows more cover for the hunter. Blinds allow the hunter to get away with more movement, as well as blocking the hunter's scent from contaminating the air and alerting the deer. Tree stands are usually placed 8 to 30 feet above the ground. The stands are made of metal or wood. Stands are often placed at the edge of fields of crops such as corn, wheat, buckwheat, alfalfa, clover, soybeans, cotton and many others.

Often, hunters plant crops in strategic locations solely for the purpose of attracting deer. Food plots are very effective while hunting deer because deer spend the majority of their time eating getting the nutrients and the fats that they need to survive the winter. without good feeding ground the deer will travel for miles if needed to find good feeding sources. which is why planting food plots for the deer work so well. it keeps the deer close by and improves your chances on harvesting quality deer. This is known as a food plot. Stands are also placed in the woods on the edge of trails that the deer travel on. Some states allow bait to be placed near these stands to attract the deer. This is different from planting a crop. The most common bait is corn.

The second method is commonly known as still hunting: walking along through the woods or along the edge of a field and looking for a deer. The hunter often stops and waits for a few minutes, then moves on and repeats this cycle.

The third method is a deer drive, which consists of flushing deer toward a line of hunters. Hunters form a line and walk through fields or brush towards another line, hoping for a shot or driving the deer toward the other line of hunters. Hunters in the second line may be in tree stands or on the ground. Hunters in lines are a hundred yards to one hundred and fifty yards apart.

The fourth method is known as spot and stalk hunting, which consists of spotting and then stalking in close enough to shoot the deer. Spot and stalk hunting is generally a method of hunting used in places where there are large visible areas, such as mountainous terrain or rolling hills.[8]

The fifth method is known as dog hunting. This method uses dogs to chase the deer. A group of hunters draw numbers out of a hat to determine what "stand" they are going to. The hunter then goes to the number he drew, and hopes the dogs will chase the deer by him. This method of hunting uses shotguns with Buckshot. However, in some states such as Wisconsin, it is illegal to use this method to hunt whitetail deer.

A sixth method, often used by bow hunters, and some gun hunters, during breeding seasons, is to use scents and decoys to draw bucks into range for a successful shot. This can be very effective during the "rut". Hunters use doe in estrous scent to pique a buck's interest and decoys to fix the visual interest of the buck away from the hunter, who is often concealed in a blind or tree stand.

There are other things involved in deer hunting that will result in a successful hunt: A healthy deer herd is one of the most important factors contributing to a successful hunting season. Preparation is important; a hunter will scout areas they plan to hunt several months before the season opens. One way a hunter may scout is by placing a remote camera, commonly referred to as a trail camera or game camera, in locations that show recent deer activity. These cameras, using infrared radiation, take photos when triggered by heat or pre-determined time intervals, and give hunter an idea of what deer may be in the area. Hunters then view camera photos individually or use trail camera photo software to help them pattern specific bucks and decide where to hunt.

They will also plant food plots to bring deer to the area or bait the area with corn or oats. They will build tree stands or make ground blinds. They will sight in rifles to make sure the guns shoot straight. They will make sure they have lures, food, water, and all equipment necessary for hunting. Hunting cabins will be stocked with food and water.

Another method used for hunting which is very important is camouflage. It is designed to break up your human outline so you will not be spotted easily by the animal you may be hunting. Breaking up the human outline and blending in will give you that much more of an advantage on not being spotted by deer which will help you be more successful while hunting.

Methods of pursuing game and corresponding seasons are subject to government regulations, which are determined by each state.

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