PA.HUNTER

Ok fellow hunters,here is a question,i am hunting an area were there are buck rubs like i have never seen in a long time,now here in Pa. i had filled my doe tag on the first day monday,on tuesday thru weds,it was very cold.9 degrees,to 21,on thursday a snow storm,friday nothing,now there were on tues many scraps,new,and fresh rubs,bark laying ontop of the fresh snow.but nothing moving,and low hunting pressure,is the cold air and snow holding these bucks?Me and two other hunters put a drive on through the thick stuff but nothing jumped,now tommorow, saturday i plan on hunting the same ground,any suggestions?I tried rattiling but nothing bit on that.I know there are nice bucks in this area but nothing is moving.Any suggestions on why,and what do i need to get these bucks out.Is rattiling a bad idea with grunts.Help.

MassBowhunter

I have always had a lot of luck bringing in bucks with rattling. It's a very touchy thing though. Too much in one spot will spook them. One way I found that works is to find a spot where you have a good view of both upwind and downwind and sit for about 45mins. Then do a rattling session and wait another 30mins or so. Then move on to another spot out of earshot of the first and repeat the same process. The biggest thing is to watch downwind. Unless you hit the dominant buck at the right place and time 99% of the deer will come in downwind.

It's just my opinion but with that much fresh sign the buck(s) are looking for the does and a little rattling could erk that jealous bone of their's.<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

MassBowhunter
&quot;Climb Higher, Look Lower, Fall Asleep Less&quot;

PA.HUNTER

Thanks MassBowhunter for the reply,my thoughts exactly,i figire with the amount of signs i am seeing these deer would be up for a good fight,i figure food is the last thing on these bucks mind right now even though the food is plentifull,corn and acorns are alot of,the doe i shot was packed full of corn because of a field down the hill from which i hunt off of i am thinking that the morning moutain downdrafts might be hurting me,but there are way to many signs to ignore this spot.

mauser06

sound nocternal to me...best bet is a well planned drive...not just posting and driving whereever...they become big bucks beacause they outsmart everybody and when people walk in right by them they hold tight and run when needed but are way to sneaky to be caught...think like a buck...where woukd YOU go if you were being hunted because of a rack on your head for 2 weeks a year by highpowered rifles? i kicked out a monster 6 pt in a field once that you wouldnt think a ribbit could hide in and not be seen...i never seen it until i was 10 ft away and he was gone...i could have dropped him but i would also dropped a guy in the background too...so i had to pass...think like a big buck!

skeeter 7MM

PA Hunter, wait a minute food might be the last thing on a bucks mind...but it always tends to be the first thing on a doe's! Guess what is on the bucks mind...the doe who still wanting to eat the yum!yums! Don't ever discount the food, you said hunting pressure is low, this may have the does feeding normally. Have you hunted the food areas or better yet the transition areas leading to food and from bed? Or is this all the same area? Although i like to get in deep and hunt the bedroom, I always keep a pulse on the food. You may have done this or doing this, I can't tell. Plus rattling and calling to food isn't usually the best option or success rates. I have always had way more success with horns and calls in the bedroom, rublines,etc. (My favorite is timber ridges adjacent to the bedding areas...with a funnel or natural travel route in them) Like mass said always have that backdoor open when rattling and be sure to have a good shooting lane their. Also may i suggest you tough pout a spot for 3 sequences, I also grunt at the half way point to keep interest sparked. (usually a tending grunt or a couple soft toned contacts) Bucks don't always rush in they may be sheepish or just plain old tricky...so sometimes you have to keep them interested in your fight or location.

As far as weather, it can amount to deer holding tight. Cold temperatures usually afford more movement to keep warm...but those movements depending on the climate and fronts can be deep or in the thick stuff. Snow if they are use to usually does nothing, but a snow storm can have them hang tight...much like wind.

If rut is full swing you may not but can have deer respond to rattling. I like the rut but is see or not see...unfortunately. Put in the time and keep a pulse on the activity levels of bed, travel and food you'll get him. Good Luck