Quilly

is it possible to get big bucks out of their hiding places when the pressure is on?
i hunt in a swamp that i am the only one that makes the 1/2mile in walk to. i know they are in there, but they don't seem to be moving in the day.
can rattling and grunting work? i don't like to push them.any help much appreciated.

Deerslayer_37

around here, we know where the deer hide. most spots are near impossible to get to. go in alone or in pairs.groups dont work.im trying this tactic this year. go where you cant see orange and keep going.go where most guys wouldnt even think about going.Think like the animal. if you were being hunted, where would you go?


slayer

121553

Quilly, I would be patient and hunt Mr. Big in the rut.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Striper Phil

When some of you old salts figure this one out please answer I would like to know the answer also. I have a swamp a half mile off my property that dosent get hunted and I know the deer refuge there when the pressure gets high. I can go there but not to hunt. I thought about taking a sweaty old T shirt, cutting it into strips and leaving them agound the swamp to spook the deer. What do you think?

RICHIE3

Striper Phil,
If you have permision to be there but, cannot hunt the place, it may be due to someone elses claim to the hunting rights of the property. If this is the case, putting out shreds of clothing would kind of be unethical in my book.

If nobody hunts the place, find out if you can put down a detractant for the deer, from the owner. If so, there is nothing wrong with your plan. Use hair cuttings or clippings from your local barbershop. Put them in a nylon stocking and nail it to a tree. This, I hear, works the best when trying to redirect deer movement or patterns.

skeeter 7MM

Quilly, if your the only one, they see next to no hunting pressure and take refuge in this spot. I would definitely try rattling and grunting. Where are the does during rut? The deer will have to move to breed, it ain't impossible. I hunt in a area that has agriculture and big lots of bush, once the deer feel the hunting pressure they move far back into the thick, undisturbed patches...which is where I hunt. I have rattled out several bucks in peak rut in these areas. The key is find a spot that is on regular travel routes, funnel, meadow, rubline or scrapes. The deer will come out of the thick stuff to eat and bucks follow does which eat usually in open areas or better food sources...so the only equalizing factor is Rut with these cagey vets. Love will make them do stupid things.

In these areas going in and getting them is usually not possible, with bucks and dense bush they will run circles all day. Your only left with a few options, either find an area that is open enough for a shot but also affords daytime movements. Possibly still hunt & catch a buck in bed, but it may cause pressure in the safe house. Hope they move out to the close outlying areas during low light. Finally try and make them come out and be accounted for by rattling, calling or using some scent during RUT.

I think it is a worth a shot, if you have a spot that sees does move then during rut the bucks will be around. Rattling may bring out that buck to see what the fuss is, it does work...just keep the wind in your favour and be patient.(they don't always come running at the sound of clash)



Edited by - skeeter 7mm on 11/10/2002 09:38:48

Quilly

well this place i hunt overall is a 25mile logging road. i already shot a 5 point buck in another area where when pressure is on the deer come right twards me into a swamp. this one came out of the swamp along with 2 others that were spikes.
this area i just found one day. it is about 1 and 1/2 miles off the logging road. with knee high grass with bogs and old dead trees. there is one ridge where he walks by that i could get a elevated spot to see him coming. i also noticed that this buck walks parrallel with the logging road. but about 150yds in.
so it will be interested in getting him.most people either hunt the road or more accesable places that they don't have to hump through the marsh.

skeeter 7MM

Hence why he is living there, no pressure. He is patterned to that road, which is often the case by pressured deer. Most think they will vacate the area, which doesn't always hold true. Ever wonder how many times in a day or season he has been droven right by without detection or other deer for that matter. I guess we may see why they are referred to as &quot;the elusive whitetail buck!!!!&quot;

The ridge sounds like a great spot to sit and lurk. If it is located back in the sticks he will be moving during daylight hours with no pressure, especially during rut. Also don't over look setting up in blow downs, areas with large dead fall and that high grass you mentioned. These are often double source areas, food and travel routes deep in the bush. Just play the wind and wait...if possible and you have throw a treestand up in a blow down.

Good luck in getting him.

Quilly

skeeter...

thank you for your info. unfortunatly i won't be able to get up there till this saturday. but it is in the back of my mind for next season.

Tazman

Quilly it sounds like you have scouted the immediate area fairly well, if there are any areas that you can get downwind of that would allow you to get a shot down an open area in the swamp I would set up there, especially during the rut, he will be moving even if he is staying in the swamp, another thing you may want to do is on opening day in particular is set up in a funnel leading into the swamp, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how many deer will be heading into the swamp the second the pressure comes on.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club