I have a situation. I'm hunting this property with a monster on it and am waiting for the weather to cool down before I go after him hard. I have a stand set up in a pine thicket in his home area. The land owner also has his sights set on this buck but would be happy if I got it too. He doesn't bow hunt but is salivating for the muzzleloader season to start. I KNOW he will get it if the buck makes it to muzzleloader season so I pretty much have to get him before then or be happy for the land owner. Muzzleloader here starts on 16 Oct.

So here's my question, I was planning on setting up a mock scrape under my stand and taking him the week before muzzleloader season, would the first week in Oct. be too early for that?????? If so should I try rattling or something else to bring him in.

One other thing, is this selfish of me to try and take this buck before the land owner has a chance at him?????

Thanks guys!!!!

I don't think your selfish if the land owner gives you his blessings. What I've learned is that big antlers seem to bring out the jealousy in people and if your fortune enough to harvest this "monster" you might be looking for a new place to hunt. I've seen it before.

Now, your pretty optimistic on taking this animal with just a week before Muzzleloader starts. Big bucks get big cause their smart. You might want to start asap and give yourself ample time to get in close to him.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

I agree with Rob, if you really like this place you may want yo let the land owner get first crack at this bruiser and then if he doesn't have any luck then you go after him.

He be even bigger next year if the land owner doesnt tag him.

Thanks for the advice guys. Well he was a big 12 pointer last year and I admit I haven't actually seen him there this year but I know he's there. His rack has got to be big.

Anyway, here in Maryland it is still warm so every time I walk to my stand I'm covered in sweat. I'm gonna wait until either it's raining to cover my scent or until it cools down a little. I only want to hunt this stand like once a week and when the wind is right. I know it's a hot spot I just don't want to blow it

Thanks again guys.

M BUCKER, I HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GO TO MY STAND IN ONLY MY BIRTHDAY SUIT WHEN IT IS HOT OUT. I GET DRESSED RIGHT AT THE TREE THEN PUT MY TOWEL IN A SCENT LOC, BAG WHEN I AM FINISHED. IT WORKS WELL IT DOESN&quot;T BOTHER YOU TO FLAP IN THE BREEZE SO TO SPEAK.

SECONDLY, YOU SHOULD HAVE STARTED YOUR SCRAPES WEEKS AGO, SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO START A MOCK SCRAPE YOU SHOULD DO SO AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

THIRDLY, ON MY FARM I TELL THE OTHER GUYS THAT HUNT THERE THAT ITS &quot;FIRST COME FIRST SERVE&quot;. AND KNOW I DO NOT THINK YOU ARE BEING SELFISH.

HUNT HARD HUNT ON EAT WELL

Chef#1---weeks ago, are you serious???? I heard that young bucks start scrapping early and I got some advice to make a mock scrape with young buck urine and that the buck will come to it but not be angered by it. So he knows this scrape is there for a while and then one day use the dominant buck lure and it'll piss him off (pardon the pun) so bad that he'll be back regularly. Problem is I can't find any &quot;young buck&quot; or non-dominant buck lure. I'm thinking of starting it next week if I can find some of it.

Thanks for the help.

Here is an idea for ya, see how close you can get to this buck with a video camera.(Try not to spook it though, just video him) This may be torture, but like some of the other posts have said, give the land owner a crack at this guy to stay in his good graces. After muzzleloader, open game. Who knows the video might help you pick up something to be a better hunter.

No offense but that boy got big with the both of you hunting him so far, I wouldn't worry about who gets first crack this year. You talk as if its a done deal. Just hunt, whatever happens, happens.

Some things are true whether you believe them or not.

M BUCKER, I BELEIVE THAT THE DOMINANT BUCK IN THE AREA IS THE ONE THAT BEGINS THE SCRAPING PROCESS, NOT THE YOUNGEST. I ALSO BELEIVE THAT IF YOU BEGIN THE SCRAPING PROCESS FOR THEM THEY REALLY GET PISSED AND WILL CAREFULLY WATCH AND TEND THE SCRAPES.

I HAVE A STRING OF 8 SCRAPES. EVERYONE OF THEM IS TENDED REGULARLY BY THE DOMINANT BUCK THATS IN THE AREA. ALTHOUGH THE SCRAPING PROCESS HAS JUST STARTED HERE IN THIS AREA, MY SCRAPES LOOK LIKE A BACKHOE HAS BEEN WORKING THERE.

I TRIED HAWGS PRE AND POST SCENT AND FORE HEAD SCENT. IT IS WORKING GREAT

HUNT ON HUNT HARD EAT WELL