RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

I arrowed 2 nice mature bucks without use of scouting. Is that what you mean? Both were while hunting on a buddies property and taking his advise. So basically still using his scouting, just trusting in his advise. So I would have to say me personally, the only bucks I have taken without the use of scouting, were the lil guys when I was young and used rifle.

I have shot mature bucks without the use of cameras, plots, etc. But it was through my own leg work in the field, finding their natural bedding areas, food plots, etc.

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

I have twice. I would attribute the success those two days to luck mostly.;)

The first was a heavy horned 8 point when I was 17. Dad and I were hunting the same ridge and it was opening day. On our way back our spots after lunch I get settled and he had about another .5 mile to walk.The deer was just getting out fo dad's way.

The second one, I was just getting out of the way...[&:] I had a friend with me and I set him up on "the" spot in hopes he would have some "luck". I went to another stand I had never hunted, but I knew it was comfortable. I comitted to grunting all evening since it was Nov 7th and just at darl a talll 8 came in.........

I'd rather be lucky than good anyday.:D

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

Actually Damien, your second paragraph was more of what I was looking for ......


Since I have never used food plots or cams (not that I wouldn't want to), Ido wonder if doing it other than the way I have always done it (scouting), would diminish my accomplishment in my own eyes.

I'm just thinking out loud.....

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

I've never usedtrail cams, food plots, bait, aerial photos, topo maps...nothing. I just get out and scout the area I'm looking to hunt, get a feel for the terrain and the predominant winds, look for sign and hang my stands or build my ground blind. It's worked quite well for me over the years and since I've been out of college/NFL football where I've actually hadmore than one or two weekends in the entire hunting season to hunt;), there hasn't been a year whereI haven't killed at least one 8-point buck or better, some years two. That's going on 20 years straight!I've never aged my deer (don't really care) but there were many that were at least 3.5 or older including a ripe old Muley buck I killed while in college (1986), my first with a bow.

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

Chalk me down for none of the above.

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

Preacher,

I think a lot of it may have to do with WHERE you hunt. Some people who hunt big big woods, they could really use the help of cameras, food plots, etc. Where some people for example ME in SE PA, we have a ton of farms and thickets and swamps, where the woods aren't very big that we can utilize natural food plots, natural cover, etc. I dont have an opinion on what people use to hunt as long as its ethical. Just think where you live may tend to influence how and what you use to better your chances. I can tell you I have taken bigger deer with the use of cameras, but I dont ever have to plant anything or bait. Farmers do this for me.

Give it a shot maybe you'll like it.

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

Good luck in anyway you hunt!

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

In 06 I shot that mature 8 pointer withthe aid of only a call.

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

Would it diminish your accomplishment in your eyes if you shot it?

RE: How many of you have arrowed a mature buck WITHOUT
 

Everyonethat knows me, will tell you that I totallyagree with this statement ...... I don't care if you're hunting giraffes! (that was for you, VA ;))

for this thread, I was just looking to see what type of advantage ..... % wise, folks thought those things gave them