What's the "legitimate" chance......this time of year.....while they're still on feeding patterns.....of getting between a mature buck and his bed.....during the daylight.

Or better said.....What's the chances of beating him home....and there being enough light to shoot?

For the sake of this.....we'll say you're set up within 300yds of his bed (in case that makes a difference).

i havent seen bucks on food sources for about a week and a half. im going to say very slim.

I still don't know my new lease well enough to have any idea. That kinds sucks.

Seen does everytime I have been out, but not a buck in the feeding area since late Sept.

65%....bucks in my area are checking feeding areas and lingering a little longer. They may not be feeding, but they are coming in to check does. They are getting off of their patterns, which means they'll get slacked on making it back during a safe hour. You find his bed and know where the food is, you've got a good chance until the rut blows wide open.

Guys....whenI say they're on feeding patterns, still....I mean they're not seeking, yet. They ARE on feeding patterns, here. They're just not feeding where they were a few weeks ago. No revelation there.

I always hear that mature bucks are back to their beds before daylight in the early season....and I "think" we're maybe past that point, now. It was 34 here, last night....and forecast for 34 again, tonight. i've got a good wind to go in there....if I think it's worth it. I don't mind the temps....just hate to go if it's pointless.

Hence my question.

Kelly....I have a fair idea of what they're feeding on.....but a GREAT idea of their bedding area. I can get in front of them....I think....especially if I go in there early enough. I marked a glow tack trail, this evening.

GMMAT, my technical brother, regardless if a buck passes or notyou're not going to shoot a buck if you don't go. I love the early season, but still a mature buck will feed early and late, but at times in the daylight. If they truly are still on the food, I say hunt right on the source until they begin to run does.

Kelly....the "source" is abundant and widespread (acorns). The ONLY thing that's somewhat of a given is where they're bedding. That's the only iece of the puzzle I have.

I've got a fair wind for that spot....so I may just go in there.

I'm hunting either way, though. I just wouldn't target a buck tomorrow if I thought it was slim chances. I'd go after a doe in a spot well away from this one.

well i have seen deer twice when hunting well except for driving out twice and walking in in the day time once. Monday right after i left about 100 yards from my blind i saw a big buck and a small buck chasing does around not rutting just playen around. The big one saw me and was gone. The othere ran 500 yards to me and stayed 80 yards out. Then tuesday had the first when hunting a doe 10 yards out ran full speed right by me. Hard season 16 hunts and i see one deer when setup

I think chances are pretty decent, but I'd like to be a lot closer than 300 yds. 75-150 depending on ease of entry/exit.