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Finding Mature "Bucks"

I came across this cluster of nice rubs today while post season scouting. This is right on the cusp of private/public land I have permission to bowhunt the private. Besides this cluster of rubs here there were about 10-20 or so around in this area which is a transition of pines to hardwoods. It used to be owned by Hammermill Paper Co. There are oaks interspersed throughout the pines too. There is a steep gorge to the east and I found beds not much further in. I hope he makes it through the winter or wasn't killed. IMG_3745.jpg
 

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woodsdog2 said:
I came across this cluster of nice rubs today while post season scouting. This is right on the cusp of private/public land I have permission to bowhunt the private. Besides this cluster of rubs here there were about 10-20 or so around in this area which is a transition of pines to hardwoods. It used to be owned by Hammermill Paper Co. There are oaks interspersed throughout the pines too. There is a steep gorge to the east and I found beds not much further in. I hope he makes it through the winter or wasn't killed. View attachment 25756
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You'll usually find his bed near the top 1/3 of that steep gorge and on a point where he can look both directions. Try and map out on paper his travel routes this will help you gain more understanding about how hes using that ridge line. A cluster of rubs can be good however hunting that location is all about timing "being in the right place at the right time". Also keep in mind he could be bedded on or very near the private ground you have permission. Wish you all the luck...put some cameras out...
Good luck
May The Magic of The Whitetail
Forever Enrich Your Life
Silvio
 
Silvio said:
You'll usually find his bed near the top 1/3 of that steep gorge and on a point where he can look both directions. Try and map out on paper his travel routes this will help you gain more understanding about how hes using that ridge line. A cluster of rubs can be good however hunting that location is all about timing "being in the right place at the right time". Also keep in mind he could be bedded on or very near the private ground you have permission. Wish you all the luck...put some cameras out...
Good luck
May The Magic of The Whitetail
Forever Enrich Your Life
Silvio
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Yes I think these were either bedding area rubs or morning return to bedding rubs because they are facing out from the ridgeline. Kind of quartering the ridgeline. I think he is heading back to his bed when making these but there are others nearby facing the other way, back towards his suspected bedding area. I do need to get a camera out up there for sure!!! These trees are about 3" to 4" in diameter which around here gets most of us excited.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Yes I think these were either bedding area rubs or morning return to bedding rubs because they are facing out from the ridgeline. Kind of quartering the ridgeline. I think he is heading back to his bed when making these but there are others nearby facing the other way, back towards his suspected bedding area. I do need to get a camera out up there for sure!!! These trees are about 3" to 4" in diameter which around here gets most of us excited.
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I remember years ago I hunted a cluster of rubs (60) in eyesight from my tree stand...i found his main bed during the post season and harvested him that year... your very near his bedding...the camera pictures will help you determine what direction he is coming from. Pay close attention to times and direction, again your now able to start predicting his travels during early season...when the rut shows up your probably not going see him on this pattern. If you get another good snow I'd like for you to back track his track as much as you can...let me know when you fined his main bed because your going to harvest him this upcoming bow season.
 
The best wind to hunt this would be a north or north east wind IF my predictions are right. I'm going to go back in there sometime soon and set up a camera, I've not found any sheds yet at all in any of the areas I've been scouting.
 
woodsdog2 said:
The best wind to hunt this would be a north or north east wind IF my predictions are right. I'm going to go back in there sometime soon and set up a camera, I've not found any sheds yet at all in any of the areas I've been scouting.
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Any east wind is what I call a predictable killing day. It usually forces a buck to do the unpredictable...his routine is disrupted by a wind he doesn't like...This Is The Opening the weakness for him to walk a trail without the wind in his favor...simply said East winds are killing winds. I've harvested 80% of my mature bucks on east wind setups. A killing spot like this can be ruined if you hunt it on other winds and he detects you...then its game over because of your scent and then he wont take that leap of faith to move thru an area as I describe without the wind in his favor. The hardest part is to wait for that east wind to come...in many cases it's a storm coming in from the east but you'll get at least a half a day to set up and take him. Also keep in mind a buck will cruise near the top ridge going back and forth several times a day if hes dominate in the area...hope this helps you out my friend
 
Silvio said:
Any east wind is what I call a predictable killing day. It usually forces a buck to do the unpredictable...his routine is disrupted by a wind he doesn't like...This Is The Opening the weakness for him to walk a trail without the wind in his favor...simply said East winds are killing winds. I've harvested 80% of my mature bucks on east wind setups. A killing spot like this can be ruined if you hunt it on other winds and he detects you...then its game over because of your scent and then he wont take that leap of faith to move thru an area as I describe without the wind in his favor. The hardest part is to wait for that east wind to come...in many cases it's a storm coming in from the east but you'll get at least a half a day to set up and take him. Also keep in mind a buck will cruise near the top ridge going back and forth several times a day if hes dominate in the area...hope this helps you out my friend
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All great and awesome information!
 
Silvio, I find your information totally fascinating. In your east wind harvests, were the bucks walking with a tail wind? Or were they bisecting or heading crosswind (north-south or vise versa)?
 
woodsdog2 said:
Silvio, I find your information totally fascinating. In your east wind harvests, were the bucks walking with a tail wind? Or were they bisecting or heading crosswind (north-south or vise versa)?
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Most were walking with a tail wind. I've found they are creatures of habit...when I go to church my wife and I sit in the same spot every week... bucks tend to do the same things in early season...they're just more predictable...the buck here in Michigan I wanted to hunt this yr never happened because I was waiting for a perfect wind that only happened when I was hunting a bruiser in Iowa. Cant emphasize enough on not educating him is the key....your homework is now until mid April...then comes the matriarch does taking over the best bedding and fawning areas kicking bucks out for summer. Ofcourse these are just my interpretations from yrs of scouting, but hunting east winds has worked for me on many good bucks. I'm very different than the norm...I know guys who hate east winds and wont go out on these days....you just have to hunt the weak predictable spot and then go in for the encounter
 
Most of the ground I get to shed hunt I cannot bow hunt ,it is either leased or they hunt it but I sure do see nice spots I would hunt for sure lol
 
If we could generate enough interest from all you guys from SH I'd love to put together a one day seminar on Buck Hunting Strategies...something during the summer.

I posted this on a separate thread Post Season Scouting..."Seminar Buck Hunting" Strategies
 
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Silvio said:
If we could generate enough interest from all you guys from SH I'd love to put together a one day seminar on Buck Hunting Strategies...something during the summer.

I posted this on a separate thread Post Season Scouting..."Seminar Buck Hunting" Strategies
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You got my interest!!!!! I'm the type that likes to never stop learning.
 
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