The best method to hunt an old smart wallhanger is to not go anywhere near him until the rut starts. I'm not saying you can't shoot a big deer before the rut, I just think your chances increase three fold when the rut rolls around. And even better if the Big guys think they have a "no pressure" zone when they go stupid love sick. The problem with the old guys is they have been through many seasons and know all the signs to hunting season coming around. The increased activity hanging and checking scouting cameras, scouting, hanging stands, etc, causes them to go nocturnal. Next year stay out of his core area until the rut starts.

One thing thatdoes work is to get the deer used to you.One methodis if you have a 4-wheeler take an easy rideaccross youraccess trails year round.The deer will get used to you just riding by. For this to workyou can never ever jump off your 4-wheeler to shoot a deer or chase deer down with your 4-wheeler. You should not even slow down if you see a deer just keep riding by. If you or anyone else in your neck of the woods uses these tactics this will not work either. I hang and check trail cameras year round with my 4-wheeler, use it to carry stands in for hanging, and even ride it in to go hunting. Bedded deer just watch you pass by.