Where to find the big boys
 

Nope, not telling but asking.

I got lucky this year and stumbled onto a spot in the forest that looked promising. At the top of a hill that plateaus into a patch of pines there sits a20 yard flat where 2 ridges lead up to it. The first time I hunted it 2 does came in. The second time I hunted it, there came 3 does followed by a 140 class buck 15 minutes later. The buck came up between the channel formed by the 2 ridges. I didn't get a shot and haven't returned to the spot since 11/25but am wondering if what I describe would be a normal travel route for bigger bucks? -or- didhe just happen to bepassing through that day?

Also, and as the thread title states, where can I find the mounters? What kind of land formation should I be looking for? Are there basic rules of thumb when trying tolocate bigger bucks? Is there a book written on how to locate big bucks? I need to prep myself for next year so I know where to be before they start rubbing and giving themselves away to other hunters.

Please help make some dreams come true. ;)Thanks

RE: Where to find the big boys
 

I am really no one to give advice but here goes anyway. Big sign = big bucks. If you can't do enough low impact looking now wait till after season and walk every possible square foot of the property and see what kind of sign you can find ( large rubs and large scrapes). I like places near water especially a swamp. If no swamps if there is a creek or river find where they cross it will be easy to see. Next big bucks usually like thick nasty cover the kind you probably wouldn't want to go through. Last is food source. I don't really like to hunt directly over a food source because in my area big bucks don't come to fields and other types of food plots etc. until after dark. Look and see where you would want to go to get away from any type of pressure...humans,dogs, etc. Could be very deep or could be a small patch of cover next to a road. No one thing will work for everyone but they must have Food, Water and Cover. No "eye-opening" statements here, just a couple of suggestions.

RE: Where to find the big boys
 

Big sign = Big bucks. And there is no better sign than actually seeing the big buck in that area!

I'd hunt it again. There's a real good chance he'll be back.

RE: Where to find the big boys
 

Kinda redundant, but...BIG SIGN = BIG BUCKS.

If there's one big buck in the area, there's a good chance there'smore. In early November, Ihunted the samearea for about a week straight. Very thick, river bottomground thatwas not real easy to get to. I killed a 158" ten point and saw a two more shooters; a 165 - 170" ten point and a 130 - 135" eight point.

I'd go right back to that area if I were you.

RE: Where to find the big boys
 

you honestly just described MY spot!! this season there were 2 bucks in there that were 120" deer+...which in PA is a good buck. one was shot the first day by another hunter. the other i never got a glimpse of till monday...couldnt even get a shot with the rifle...looked like a buck from TV...its a really hidden spot...close to the roads and fields...but from the roads it looks like a stand of pines...but once your on the ridge theres actually more mature white oaks, sassafrass and red maple then pines..its just bordered in pines...the ridge is only 100yds wide and 500yds long or so...infront is hay and corn fields..beside it is more pines and a field that isnt farmed..behind it is a thick nasty brush field they bed in and along...i just overhunted it this season and hunted the wrong spot..got a shot at a 100" buck that ducked the arrow..

theres books written on the subject of hunting big mature bucks...the best way to learn is expirience IMO...im new to it..but already know i gota find more areas that arent hunted hard by hunters...id honestly be thrilled by a 60" 8pt...but a 100+inch buck is what i REALLY want...i just gotta put in even MORE time scouting then i do.....and quit over hunting..that was my biggest problem this year..

i agree big sign=big bucks to a certain extent...BIG tracks..good...but big rubs and scrapes often dont mean TOO much...alot of guys will say a little buck wont rub a big tree...

heres my proof...a buck came through HARD core trailing a doe...must trailed her all night..they were both sweating and steaming and panting HARD..he was a SMALL buck...might had some points..but was a main from vertical spike buck..maybe 8-10 inch antlers TOPS..i couldnt make out points but he could had some...heres the tree...not HUGE..but definently not small..

ive also watched bigger bucks TRASH smaller trees...so to me unless its a telephone pole sized rub it doesnt say ALL too much...

RE: Where to find the big boys
 

Well, you have already seen a good buck in the area where you are hunting so that is a good start....There is nothing like actually sightings to confirm that you are hunting a area that is holding good bucks....Monster bucks so to speak don't just hang out in every patch of timber around.... There are in my mind key elements to look for....Thick cover, food & water in close proximity, room to move, and of course does....Once I've found these things I look for the sign that bucks are there like stated before....They could be anywhere when the rut hits, but IMO those things are needed to hold good bucks in a given area....The travel type area you described is a awesome setup when the rut is on....Like I said they can be anywhere but you know if your on a good run or travel corridor your going to likely see bucks....