[QUOTE=paulie300;3881397]maybe you're pushing him too much already and if your season constraints allow try resting the area. You might be too close to his bedding area already and have pushed him into being nocturnal. Try finding a new way into this bucks location, instead of the regular route you take, and stay back a little and hunt the fringes of his area.
I have been hunting this same lease since archery opener October 1, and remembered thie area he had torn up last year. I absolutely stayed clear, with the weekly sneak through the trail checking to see if he had made it through last season. Within the last 3 weeks he has started seriously demolishing the saplings and his scrape is at same licking branch so I knew he had made it, and put the camera where I was able to get him on film.
I had set up a hanger in August at his rubline from last year and only hunted it 3 times since muzzleloader opened so I have purposely stayed away from his core area, but do you thing he would be marking so close to his bedding area? Its a bit hard to avoid, as you would have to know the layout of this piece of land, but the main gate is at a cul de sac and we can only park there. As the crow flies, its only about 100 yards from his rubs and scrapes, but once entering the land I go the long way around, purposely not to push him out. The times I bumped him was when I was going to hunt the stand I had put overlooking the rubline and going in an hour before dark i would usually think he would not be laying up so close unless he is watching for does (which usually do not frequest this area). Im thinking that his bedding area isnt far, like I mentioned I have tracked his route to a huge saddle area about 75 yards away. I have glassed the whole opposite side of the saddle and either he is a master of camo or invisible, I havent been able to see him or any other deer bedding on the down side of the ridge. If you go over the ridge, its pretty much in the back yard of a house with a dog in a pen, so I know hes not laying up in a back yard with a dog.
I know Im in for a long walk around, but tomorrow's wind is perfect for circling him and coming up to the area where I have bumped him.
As I said, I never heard him acting threatened like snorting or a high speed getaway when bumped, just a gallop for a few yards and then walking shortly before no sounds at all, and if he did go across the middle of the saddle its all leaves and I would ave heard him. Hes a great looking deer for these parts and would love to get him out, which the rut should creaate some mistakes on his part but here in my area the rut is way different than it has been in years past. Usually we would be approaching the second cycle by now and I have only seen 2 bucks taken in my area that were in full rut.
Im using my climber and coming in from behind and set up at creek high enough that he wont be eye level with me from his point on ridge, put some stink out, and rattle. I guarantee it will be my most intense hunt yet, as I have been watching him for 3 years....and around here they dont have that kind of lifespan. Pictures will come, because Im set on this guy.
You think the morning is best? or should I set up on him for an evening hunt and rattle him out with tinks?