Related to Greg's post
03-13-2008 | 12:03 PM
#11
Dominant Buck
Joined: Oct 2005
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From:
RE: Related to Greg's post
Even with ideal stand placement getting an old buck within 20 yards of your stand is tough. They don't follow the same trails every time. They can decide to trot through your shooting lane. They can turn towards or away from you as you draw back and not give you a shot. I truly believe that once you get to a certain level of knowledge and skill it comes down to 2 things: time in the stand and luck. From what I have read from you, it seems like you are only a lucky break away from a real monster.
Not sure about your deer population or the amount of people in your area hunting (mine is high and heavy) but I have found if you hunt the does, the bucks will follow.
I could be all wrong and run through several years of no luck with one of these guys. If so...I'll change my approach. As long as it's working, though,........I'll continue to hunt the does.
03-13-2008 | 12:18 PM
#12
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,982
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From: Inverness, MS
RE: Related to Greg's post
Mature deer are so rare on my properties, they hardly warrant any special attention. You may go years without seeing one, in person or on camera. In 5 years of using a camera, I've gotten about 3 bucks I would consider mature..
I typically concentrate on terrain features that deer like to use to move from place to place. Depending on time of the year, I may concentrate on food..
I just like to keep it fun while also utilizing a strategy to keep my pressence as unknown as possible... Given the areas I hunt, luck plays the biggest role in whether i tag out or not. Most years I don't.
I typically concentrate on terrain features that deer like to use to move from place to place. Depending on time of the year, I may concentrate on food..
I just like to keep it fun while also utilizing a strategy to keep my pressence as unknown as possible... Given the areas I hunt, luck plays the biggest role in whether i tag out or not. Most years I don't.
03-13-2008 | 12:24 PM
#13
Typical Buck
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 596
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From: Panhandle of Texas
RE: Related to Greg's post
Original:GregH
The one part of your step that I do not folow is getting there 2 hours before daylight. I like to get there 10 minutes before shooting light. The reasons are that there is less time for my scent to disperse, most times I can see a bit better and get to my stand without bumping deer and most of all, it won't kiil me to hear something and not know what it is!! [:-]
The one part of your step that I do not folow is getting there 2 hours before daylight. I like to get there 10 minutes before shooting light. The reasons are that there is less time for my scent to disperse, most times I can see a bit better and get to my stand without bumping deer and most of all, it won't kiil me to hear something and not know what it is!! [:-]
It is arguable that maybe these areas should never be hunted at all inrespect to honoring sanctuaries, but right or wrong I have been hunting these a few times each season.
Keep in mind that our country is fairly openso slipping in right before daylight or even after daylight without bumpingis precarious at best in that deer can be traveling through a corridor by as much as 250-350 yards away snd certainly from 100-200 yards from me and still see/hear me.
Hopefully most of my scent concerns are taken care of by waiting for the ideal weather conditions. My hope is that I'll get there before the complete nocturnal deer that may show up 1 hour before daylight but then later in the morning, I will catch himas he gets up to browse or becomes enamored with a doe, etc..
This is my thought process even though I may be wet all over, but it will be something different. All I know for sure that I have not had much sucess in NOT bumping deer trying to come into these areas from 1 hour before orat daylight. But I welcome any suggestions.
03-13-2008 | 12:35 PM
#14
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,598
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From: Kansas
RE: Related to Greg's post
ORIGINAL: GregH
I started incorperating your steps for the last three seasons. The first year that I passed on 3 1/2s, 4 of them would've made P&Y. However, I learned an awful lot that year including that by having patience I'd see more, older bucks.
The one part of your step that I do not folow is getting there 2 hours before daylight. I like to get there 10 minutes before shooting light. The reasons are that there is less time for my scent to disperse, most times I can see a bit better and get to my stand without bumping deer and most of all, it won't kiil me to hear something and not know what it is!! [:-]
ORIGINAL: jackflap
Shultzy - I think you and I are close in assesing where we are as hunters and recognizing the significant gap between killing a 3.5 yo as compared to an older deer. I mentioned in Greg's thread that I can kill a 3.5 yo any year I choose. I stand behind that statement, but I couldn't have said that 5 years ago.
I have learned how to minimize my impact of coming and going from stands, the disciplineto create and honor sancturies, choosing when to hunt(i.e weather patterns) so as to not wear an area out, etc as the reason that I think I am capable of seeing and killing more 3.5yo deer than what I used to.
As far as progressing to the next level, if i knew I would already be there.
But the three I am committed to focusing on the most is to
1) quit shooting 3.5 yo deer so as to increase my chances the next year.
2) find more places to hunt so that I can reduce pressure in my hot spots even more so than already and be even more selective when I go into these areas.
3) When I do hunt my hotspots that are not in but close to bedding areas, I am committed to getting there a full two hours before daylight in hopes of not bumping the mature deer that is probably nocturnal to begin with but maybe I catch him still milling/browsing around right at start of legal shooting time.
But I've got to be hunting somewhere. I don't see myself as ever being disciplined enough to significantly reduce my days afieldin order to maximize my chance at a sure enough mature deer.
If it is between less overall hunting or only killing 3.5 yo deer, I will opt for the 3.5 yo and more days afield and accept my limiations. But in the meantime, I am getting more places to hunt and am going to spread it out as much as possible.
Shultzy - I think you and I are close in assesing where we are as hunters and recognizing the significant gap between killing a 3.5 yo as compared to an older deer. I mentioned in Greg's thread that I can kill a 3.5 yo any year I choose. I stand behind that statement, but I couldn't have said that 5 years ago.
I have learned how to minimize my impact of coming and going from stands, the disciplineto create and honor sancturies, choosing when to hunt(i.e weather patterns) so as to not wear an area out, etc as the reason that I think I am capable of seeing and killing more 3.5yo deer than what I used to.
As far as progressing to the next level, if i knew I would already be there.
But the three I am committed to focusing on the most is to1) quit shooting 3.5 yo deer so as to increase my chances the next year.
2) find more places to hunt so that I can reduce pressure in my hot spots even more so than already and be even more selective when I go into these areas.
3) When I do hunt my hotspots that are not in but close to bedding areas, I am committed to getting there a full two hours before daylight in hopes of not bumping the mature deer that is probably nocturnal to begin with but maybe I catch him still milling/browsing around right at start of legal shooting time.
But I've got to be hunting somewhere. I don't see myself as ever being disciplined enough to significantly reduce my days afieldin order to maximize my chance at a sure enough mature deer.
If it is between less overall hunting or only killing 3.5 yo deer, I will opt for the 3.5 yo and more days afield and accept my limiations. But in the meantime, I am getting more places to hunt and am going to spread it out as much as possible.
The one part of your step that I do not folow is getting there 2 hours before daylight. I like to get there 10 minutes before shooting light. The reasons are that there is less time for my scent to disperse, most times I can see a bit better and get to my stand without bumping deer and most of all, it won't kiil me to hear something and not know what it is!! [:-]
03-13-2008 | 12:41 PM
#15
Dominant Buck
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,043
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From:
RE: Related to Greg's post
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
03-13-2008 | 12:59 PM
#16
Thread Starter
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,445
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From: Central Minnesota
RE: Related to Greg's post
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
03-13-2008 | 01:15 PM
#17
Site Buck Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,922
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From: Racine, Wisconsin
RE: Related to Greg's post
ORIGINAL: Schultzy
I think the location in the woods your hunting makes a difference too on when you should be out there. I don't know about you guys but the moon plays a big part with me on when I get out in the morning weather it be early, later, or not going out at all sometimes. Full moon and mornings with me have been down right worthless.
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
03-13-2008 | 01:17 PM
#18
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,598
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
RE: Related to Greg's post
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
Interesting....I'v ealways (after trial and error) done what Jack does. I've gotten to stand a lot earlier than 2 hr shy of first light. I only do this in one spot......but that happens to be the spot I've killed my two best bucks (and I've had the last one go by me both in the dark and in the light of day.....and I still got him.....later).
I used to bump a lot of deer going in later. I even waited until AFTER light to go in there a few times....and that worked well.
I use a path to get in that they don't "usually" cross.....and I only go there on mornings when it's pretty cool....and I feel like my thermal/scent is going "up".
Like jack....if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I always thought it was hurting nothing....and I know I was less intrusive. I looked at it like getting to their house while they were AT LEAST an hour from home. What could be the harm?
yuk yuk yuk.