I know pictures are hard to determine actual sizes and shapes. This area that I went into is the one with the Gigantic rubs (see other post with pics of the rubs). As I was following a trail that ledto the creek crossing, this is what I stumbled across. I believe he is the one making the awesome rubs and scrapes in the area, but look at the size of his tracks.!

This was without anything to compare the size to


This is my boot beside it. I wear a size 13 boot and it makes the track look more of its original size



Excuse the blurry picture, but you can see the giant I am targetting. I have his rub line, scrapes, and now his trail to a water source. Now I just have to figure if its a morning hunt or afternoon hunt since his bedding is 30 yards away, with a been field about the same distance.

wow!, good luck!

wow, very big track.. good luck!

Looks like you need to get a trail cam or 2 up in that area.

Wow, that is a nice track, good luck.

I'm guessing as much time as you've been spending in there he already knows your there!

I found this spot while scouting this weekend. I have been therea whole 3 tmes. First time was when I stumbed into it by accident, and took some pictures. The second time was to carry my climber and camera in there....in and out in 3-5 minutes.

Yesrterday I went a completely different way in to throw some secret spot seeds, deer cain, corn, and cleared (very slightly) a shooting lane. Ths all I needed to do, and it had to be done. Now Im done, and of course left ina different wasy than I came in. I see no reason to return unless its to retrieve card from camera.

If he is a whietail, no doubt he knows I have been there, just lke every site ive been to hanging climbing sticks, etc. This is why I do it mid-after noon. What was your point?

I didnt realize that I could go in there without equipment, expect to come back for seasonn and hang my stand, without time on my hands and deer running rampant. That buck is in there, and by the looks of the rubs, scrapes, and his tracks coming and going he will most likely forget anyone has been there by the time season rolls around in a month. I covered myscent and left no human sign when I left today.

On October 4, when seson opens, I plan on spending more time on my 5 other stands. I believe this will be an ideal site for pre-rut activity, just as few of my other stands, so I dont see any reason to go back to that stand for anyhing but my camera. Im actually planning on hunting that stand in mid November, so any remnants of me will be long gone.

Are you suggesting I spent more than enough time in there? quite possibly, but was neccesary and the reason i did it now rather than later when he is acclimated to the stand strapped to tree.

Maybe you could explain how I could have done it better? Ater all, I did it in late afternoon when he was out and about feeding, ect.

You've got a LOT of very knowledgeable people that have been telling you this for WEEKS. Listen to them.

What's the baiting law in VA? Does your bait have to be GONE 30 days before the opener? Or....do you have to stop baiting 30 days before the opener?

"IF" your camera stays there until mid-Nov......I'll be pleasantly and EXTREMELY surprised.

Well....you could have done it a lot earlier. You could have done it at mid-day when he was most likely NOT to be in the area. You could have waited for a rain storm to lessen your scent intrusion. You could have gone in in the middle of the night.....when he was out of the area, feeding. You could have worn rubber boots.

If he's supposed to be on his feet, feeding, he has a better chance of seeing YOU than when he's supposed to be bedding.

I'm NOT trying to chastise you. I'm trying to help. So are a LOT of others.