RE: Big Bucks are smart so....
I don't know.....
Again....ALL I can relate to is the area I hunt. I've read a buck's core area is about a square mile. I believe it. I had the buck I'm after come by me 2 years ago in my woods.....and I never saw him before or after that. Part of that is MY fault. I didn't go back in there where I think he frequents (now KNOW).
Last year.....I clipped him on what I now know was a terrible shooting attempt (buck fever???).....and didn't see him again for 2-1/2 months. After that.....I saw him a couple more times. Did he leave? Nope. Did he become more careful? Surely. Is he "back", this year? yep. Never left, I suppose.