I’m no Infalt or Eberhart, but I’ve been on a heater the last few years thanks to the good Lord’s blessing and a few simple changes. A few tips that have made a big difference for me:
1. Trail cams. They’re a true “force multiplier” in that they provide you tons of intel relative to the time it takes to use them. If you can’t scout a ton, deploy a bunch of trail cams (none of mine are cell cams, btw), and really look for patterns, not just pics of big racks to show your buddies. For example, I learned this summer that my target bucks were using one bedding area at night and another during the daytime, and I was able to nearly intercept one on a travel route between the two during TN’s early velvet hunt. I wouldn’t have known about the deer or their travel without having multiple cameras out in the summer.
2. Pay attention! It’s amazing how much we all miss in the woods (or when reviewing trail cam pics) if we’re not focused and paying attention. For example, with trail cams, notice which way they’re going, what time of day, temperature, etc., not just whether there’s a good’rn on the property. In the woods, pay attention to things like which oak trees have the most deer poop and tracks under them, not just which oak trees are dropping acorns. It’s hard to see the picture of the puzzle if you have fewer puzzle pieces—pay attention to give yourself as many pieces of that puzzle as possible!
3. Find places deer feel safe. Big bucks are going to hog those places, and they’re your surest bet for killing one. Whether it’s 3 miles back on public or that little 2-acre corner of your property that’s always been overlooked, big bucks will pattern property users and stay away from them. I was shocked last year when I found the best buck sign on my whole family farm just 20 yards from our backyard and right next to the neighboring neighborhood. Why was that mature buck there? Because we overlooked it and never went there, assuming deer wouldn’t feel safe! Find those pockets of human-free zones, and I guarantee if the habitat is otherwise deer-friendly, you’ll find mature bucks.
None of these tips require tons more time afield—just a different mindset and focus (and $$ for as many trail cams as you can afford). Hope this helps!
all good post, but if had to pick what can contribute the most to a huntersuccess on particular deer, I would also agree with
proper use of cameras.
It’s much like the use of electronics in fishing, where pro anglers, would not be without them. In typical areas, mature deer are somewhat scarce, if you run cameras in time, you begin to eliminate the areas where bigger deer tend to avoid and collect spots, that are where you’ll Want to spend time.
the conjunction of scouting for big sign, and cameras is also great, because it helps confirm your assumptions on the sign that you’re reading.
everyone knows what fresh big rubs and scrapes look like, but big deer do not put that sign down all that often, so keep an eye out for them, but also Look for Old scars on big trees, that have been hit or rubbed in the past, old broken saplings, big poop. Big tracks..to build a pattern over time, where few people go.
another thing, not mentioned often, but feel is very important, is being a physically capable person, and not setting limits on yourself. Often, it’s not enough on public to hunt way back, as everyone knows that. Sometimes you have to do stuff that’s insane to a normal person. Like hike a 1.5-2 miles,
then climb through thick laurel to get to an area on the other side.
At the end of the day, it all takes a great amount of trial and error and work, to consistently get older bucks into range, as they’re typically very nocturnal, live in harder access areas, and don’t accept a lot of intrusions
