For the first time, I have a bonafide target buck. For South Carolina public land, he's a giant. It's a deer I had on camera several times last year for pretty much the entire season, even through the rut, and now he's shown himself again this year.
I guess my question is for those that like to hunt specific bucks... What kinds of strategies do you employ that make you successful?
I've shot a ton of does over the years and one spike, but told myself I'd only shoot does until I came across a "shooter" buck. Outside of hunting cold fronts and managing wind/scent, I pretty much hunt when I can which boils down to after work during the week and Saturdays, but I have several different areas that I rotate through. No public land hunting in SC on Sundays, so that's out. I try and put myself between known doe bedding and probable buck bedding or food sources. Muscadines are always ripe around the archery opener on Sept 15th, but the problem is that they're absolutely everywhere in this stretch of timber.
Pressure isn't really a concern in the area I hunt. This is my third year hunting this spot and I've never had anyone on my cameras or seen any other boot prints, so that's nice at least. That should give me the flexibility to hunt this deer how I need to.
I can post more specifics about the layout of the area if I need to, but I figured I'd just ping the masses first and see if there's any overarching suggestions. Hopefully the intent of my post is clear enough.
I guess my question is for those that like to hunt specific bucks... What kinds of strategies do you employ that make you successful?
I've shot a ton of does over the years and one spike, but told myself I'd only shoot does until I came across a "shooter" buck. Outside of hunting cold fronts and managing wind/scent, I pretty much hunt when I can which boils down to after work during the week and Saturdays, but I have several different areas that I rotate through. No public land hunting in SC on Sundays, so that's out. I try and put myself between known doe bedding and probable buck bedding or food sources. Muscadines are always ripe around the archery opener on Sept 15th, but the problem is that they're absolutely everywhere in this stretch of timber.
Pressure isn't really a concern in the area I hunt. This is my third year hunting this spot and I've never had anyone on my cameras or seen any other boot prints, so that's nice at least. That should give me the flexibility to hunt this deer how I need to.
I can post more specifics about the layout of the area if I need to, but I figured I'd just ping the masses first and see if there's any overarching suggestions. Hopefully the intent of my post is clear enough.