Im from NJ, and recently got permission to hunt some new land. I hung a stand in the begining of October where several deer trails meet, and everytime i got out i see plenty of deer, however not the deer im wihsing to see. I popped a doe the first time there, and i see button bucks and does all over the place. About 3 weeks ago I shot a nice 140lb 6 pointer, huge body, though the rack was very small for its body size, looked like an old deer. Last week i was on the stand and I saw 2, 4-pointers and a spike chasing does all over the place around my stand but I them them all walk cuz i'm looking for big daddy. There are plenty of scrapes around my stand but not many rubs at all! Is it possible that this piece of private propery only holds these small bucks? I know the peak of the rut i approaching in the next few weeks...wut do you guys think my chances are of seeing big daddy? This property is large and gets hunted only by one other person on ocaasion. Ive been told this area has large deer, but have yet to witness any. Any ideas guys? Im just going to be patient during the next few weeks and hopefully a big guy will show himself.
Well usually an aea holding deer holds a couple good bucks (relative to the area). Thats doesn't mean you'll see them, but you have the best chance from now-2nd week of November. Good luck!
yup...i hope these does stick around....the smaller bucks were chasing earlier, but i think they tend to do that every year...and as the rut carries on, the bigger bucks come appear later into it. however, its easier said than done.
If you are able to get in and out without the doe families catching onto you, then I would keep hunting it but don't over hunt to the point that they change their movements.
Like the guys said above, the best bait is walking under you right now. One doe in estrus passing under that stand will wake up the sleeping giants.
question for you experienced bowhunters
