I witnessed a buck in the same general area from 2003-2005. The first time I saw him he was a spike, then a 4, then a 7 pointer....last year I couldn't find him. This year while scouting last week, I moved to a different ridge with funnel leading into a thick tangled mess. I found a large scrape with a licking branch, and then the ridge was dotted with pretty aggressive rubs leading into the bedding area. I decided to just back out and figure out a game plan.

The question is this....should I get in early and hunt all day....or should I wait until around 9am to get on stand, thereby allowing him to enter his bedding area without the possibility of me spooking him?

Thank you.

vashadow

[Deleted by Admins]

I'd try to get there early to try and catch him coming back to bed...of course if the hormones are kicking in he might not be around.

Thanks for the advice you guys...its still a toss up for me right now....maybe I should hunt somewhere else in the AM, then get in around 1pm to hunt that buck.....I just don't want to spook him. Our pre-rut is just starting.

vashadow

[Deleted by Admins]

Gonna get on stand by 6:15am...going to be very quiet and set up between two of the rubs and about 25 yards downwind of the scrape---I am hoping this buck has really grown up or is another good buck. Thanks for the advice all.

vashadow