How will I ever get this buck??
 

uuuggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Well there's 3 days left in gun season here in NY. After completely burning out my stands on the bulk of the property I hunt, I decided to go for a little stoll the other day. I came across some uncharted (unhunted) territory, except there are a couple of problems.
There is a big swail lot that's probably 300 x 300 yards. I walked the edges of it and found about a zillion beds and 4 or 5 runs that look like tractor trailors come through there on a routine basis. This place is mashed with sign. Now bare with me and try to get a visual of this lot. I'll try to describe the what is on the edges of the lot.
North end: at the end of the swail there is a giant cliff that drops off to a creek. Very steep and few scattered tracks leading to the swail.

South end: Road and posted land on the other side of the road

East end: narrow hedgrow runs up the length of it. Other side of the hedgerow is a huge winter plowed wide open field of nothing but frozen mud thanks to the lovely farmer that royally screwed my hunting up this year. But that's a whole different story. Anyway, next to no sets of tracks. They just don't want to be out there.

West end: hardwoods and thickets and food plots beyond that. I walked that edge and that's where they come. trails like you wouldn't believe. Problem is that land is posted with no possibility of hunting it.

I have been sitting on the north edge of the swail, and watching a nice buck bedding down almost everytime I've been there. I've also seen a group of 4 does laying down.

The problems are, they are 200 yards out and in the middle of the field. Also, they are already in there and bedded (as far as I know) before daylight and I sit there and watch them not move til after dark. I can't set up on their trails leading into this and catch them on their way in because of the posted land. frustrating as all heck, knowing they are right in front of my face but I'm kinda restricted. I don't dare try and sit in the swail any further cause I'll spook them to the next county. Any ideas?

deer drive.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....;)

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I am going to ask a dumb question, why can't you set up in the swail?

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

well I guess i'm just concerned that walking in there may spook whatever is laying in there giving me no chance of getting them when they get up and travel.
Also, it's kinda tall if I get down in the middle of it I can't see crap. But where I'm sitting on the edge of it is elevated so I can see down the whole thing and get a shot through some openings in it.
I'm usually good at setting up on giving me a good chance, but this thing has me perplexed.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

need a treestand along that west edge, but that's out of the question too. accckkkkkkkk.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

A deer drive might work if the wind is right, the drivers will want the wind at their back and the standers with it in their face, the only 2 directions for the drives would be east to west or west to east. I am not sure how many folks you have in your group, but if you were doing a west to east drive I would leave at least one or two folks on the west side for any deer that slip back through the drivers, from what you have described they are going to want to go to the west end for the hardwoods.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I don't want to sound like a smart a$$ but..........;)

You are gun hunting - if you can see him bedded there just shoot him.

If not put a stalk on him - then shoot him:eek:

Good Luck

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Well....... 200yards with a shotgun slug isn't in my arsenal. I've thought about stalking him, the problem is once I start traveling into the swail, my field of vision becomes next to nothing. The only way I'm even seeing him is because of the ridge I'm on and the elevation difference. Once i get 20 yards into it, I lose sight. Thanks for the advice though I appreciate it.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I suppose that's why he's in there and feeling comfy about it.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Man sounds like they are in a tough spot, you need to start bow hunting, that way you can deal with him before gun season and the deer are moving during shooting hours!

Have you ever gone into the swail? I have seen some where some of the brush is really tall, but there are areas where it is pretty short. If you only have 3 days left what do you have to lose by trying a stalk? Just slide in from the downwind side of where he is bedded and go for it.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

That's what I was thinking. I'm going to try to put my best stalk on. Get in there early (like after I type this) and go very slow. Hopefully I can get close enough and open enough for a shot. I just wonder what's laying between me and him that may get up and spook him out too. But like you said what is there to lose. I know one thing. I'm going to find a place around there for bowseason next year. Well I'm gonna go get after him cause he's not coming to me. Thanks for the advice.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Good luck, I expect a report on Monday![8D]

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Good choice, Late season stalk sounds like your best chance. Bold tactics late in the season are not a bad choice. And with a most stalks you will lose site of your quarry at points throughout. Remember that does work to your advantage as well. Conceals you as well. Good Luck

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Why don't you just use a teleporter to transport you right next to him?lol

Good Luck w/the stalk

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Maybe try to setup on the downwind side where you can see a little ways, and rattle? He may not like another buck or two in his bedroom.
Other than that, are you sure you don't have a buddy with a gun capable of that shot, and maybe a rangefiner you can borrow? Maybe a morning at the range will convince you a 200 yard shot is possible?
Good luck, hope you get hime.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Get in there an hour before daylight and catch him coming in to bed down.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I'd be in there early too. If he;sw bedding in the same area, what you goy to loose. I could come up and push him to you if you want.lol.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Cut down some limbs and bushes so u can have a shot at him. I dont think it will spook them.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

[

lmao charlie you're funny. Actually if you remember that post one of my overwhelming questions was why? Well I answered one of my questions. I can see why. Get your pushing boots on and get your arse up here. I'll be on the back edge of the swail just pull over on the side of the row there cross the hedge and push him my way will ya?

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

If all else fails you may try to spot him when hes bedded, then look for a high spot or vantage point within a hundred yards downwind or crosswind from him. You say you have no visibilty in there, well then neither does he. If you can find a spot that you can get within range of him and maybe still see him, go for it. Just remember to find a landmark very close to him so that you know where he is. Maybe even have a partner watch him as you stalk, and QUIETLY communicate with one another about what hes doing, just in case he gets up and moves while your stalking. Good luck and get after him, You cant get him if your in here. LOL:D

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Give me the GPS coordinates and I'll start my push. I'll be coming from Vestal so I could have a few in front of you by the time I get there. Bring a couple gallons of water with your stand I could be a little thirsty.

How it looking up there today. Went out this mkorning with my son and didn't see a thing but snow.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

looking a bit like a noreaster this morning. I'm heading to the Syracuse vs. Notre Dame football game at the dome today so Mr. bucky has a day without me after him. Tommorow should be good though. I'm actually thinking this snow is going to knock down a lot of that swail. I may be able to get deeper into it and find a good ambush spot. Or he may not want to be in there if it gets too open. We'll have to hook up one of these days Charlie!!

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Most definately! It could be fun.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

sounds like you got a prob. but with everyone else's advice, i unfortunatly can not add anything other then good luk!!

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I pushed him right right in front of your stand this morning where were you? Still celebrating the beating Syracuse gave ND?

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I was treating a hangover and still crying over the thumping my Fighting Irish took. [:'(]

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

Glad your not an SU fan. I've alway's liked ND myself.

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

you might try a decoy. give him a visual. i'd say a doe might still be effective. i dont know your rut. maybe a buck decoy with some rattking? try sitting longer. he might not lay there all day. you might catch him loafing around for a midday snack. good luck

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

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RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

I assume you never went back?[:o]

RE: How will I ever get this buck??
 

oh yeah I went back. I woke up this morningat 2:45 for some reason. Couldn't go back to sleep so At 3:15 I decided I was going to get my stuff and head out to the swail. I figured I could get down in there where I've been seeing him before he gets back in the swail. I head out the door after haveing a discussion about it with my wife who incidentally is having me committed to an insane asylum tommorow. She couldn't figure out what I was doing at 3:00am going hunting. Anyway, I'm out there at around 4:00am. One thing I didn't take into account were the coyotes. Wow that was a bit disturbing, but I managed. It gets to around 5:00am and I see 6 does about 50 yards from me. It was pretty cool with the bright moon. Half hour later I saw 3 does about 75 yards away. First light finally comes and it feels like I've been out there for about 4 days. About 20 minutes after first light, I see the dude. Guess where? yep, standing there plain as day about 1 yard from that ridge that I've been sitting on. Unbelievable. He got me pretty good! So I put my head down about ready to cry and after having a little pity party I decided I had to try and stalk him. So I start sneaking up towards him and picked a landmark like someone said to do. I could see him for the first 40 - 50 yards of the stalk and he never knew I was coming. Then I get to the tall stuff that i figure I have to go through about 75 yards of. After I get through that I should be close enough for a shot. So I'm in the tall stuff using my landmark (big oak tree in the hedge). I get to where the swail is knocked down by the snow a little so I figure I can slowly stand and get a good shot. Just pop out of the tall stuff and figured out why they call them whitetails. Cause that's what I saw in my face running away from me. I must have spooked him in the last 10 seconds before I was about ready to spot him and get a shot. He's one clever animal or I am one dumb hunter. 1.5 days left and I don't reckon he'll be back any time soon. Oh well back to the honey hole across the road for the duration.
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