To those of you who like the challenge of hunting the big, big bucks...
#1

Other than having a nice set of antlers to put on your wall, from what I understand, the big deal about getting a massive buck is that, typically, he is so difficult to hunt ('cause he's lived so long and learned from so many experiences, and presumably had several close encounters with other hunters), giving you the challenge you're really after. So, I have a suggestion. Every time you see a big buck not quite big enough to take (yet), or just a smaller buck still on his way to maturity, you should get the deer's attention so that they see you (in a subtle enough way that you don't spook all the deer in the area). That way, they'll learn from their encounter with you, and be all that much smarter and harder to hunt by the time they get big enough! Is my logic off, here??
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY: NYC to Watertown
Posts: 897

\Every time you see a big buck not quite big enough to take (yet), or just a smaller buck still on his way to maturity, you should get the deer's attention so that they see you (in a subtle enough way that you don't spook all the deer in the area). That way, they'll learn from their encounter with you, and be all that much smarter and harder to hunt by the time they get big enough! Is my logic off, here??
would think buck would be accustomed to humans and not perceive them as a threat,
more often they see/hear us less inclined they are to flee.
#4

I don't think it is funny at all, in fact I think there is some logic to it, big bucks do not get big by accident, I know there are a lot of factors involved. I have seen big deer spooked by hunters (including myself) and the only other time I will see them the rest of the season is on the trail cams, they go completely nocturnal.I am of the belief that a young buck "cliped" by a hunter will become a big buck. ever try and run over a barn cat? animals can learn,jmop Doc
#8

I don't think it is funny at all, in fact I think there is some logic to it, big bucks do not get big by accident, I know there are a lot of factors involved. I have seen big deer spooked by hunters (including myself) and the only other time I will see them the rest of the season is on the trail cams, they go completely nocturnal.I am of the belief that a young buck "cliped" by a hunter will become a big buck. ever try and run over a barn cat? animals can learn,jmop Doc
Let's face it, if they had a choice between going after a 190" 5-year-old typical whose smarts scored 6/10, and an 8-year-old non-typical scoring 110" with some broken off tines but whose smarts scored 10/10, most hunters would pursue the younger, less savvy 190" buck. Point being, no matter what people say, it ain't all about the challenge. Though, I do think that there would be a very, very small percentage of hunters that would see and pass the 190" and go after the older boy (let's say it was one they'd been after for years, and they only had one buck tag).

#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 320

I had a park ranger verify this for me regarding problem bears in a state park near me. He said that problem bears are typically only a problem for one summer, because they're the first to walk into some guy's bait pile come bear season.
