This year was the worst hunting I have had in a VERY long time. We were extremely concerned about possible poachers b/c we just weren't seeing mature bucks except for one that was regularly showing up on the cameras and was sighted a number of times (he actually charged my dad after dark on his way back in one night) and a couple of sightings of other good bucks that were just "passing through". Anywho, Dec 5th that old (4.5 year) 8 point was snuffed out by yours truly. Since his demise we are getting a few good bucks on the cameras and actual sightings of them as well. Could this have been a case of a dominant buck not letting any other bucks on his turf and now that he is gone they are moving back in? That is all I can come up with.
I think he may have had his choice of bedding areas.....and chose the grounds you shot him on. The others are back (IMO) because they're grouping back up, now (bachelor groups). One of those bucks (or possibly a new buck) will likely take "his" area, next year (valid reasons why he chose it)....and the others will vacate (to some degree) and seek their own (after velvet shed). People wonder where the bucks go when the season starts.....and I think it's just the other side of this cycle.
new bucks come and go as the rut approaches. if there's a dominant deer and he's aggressive, he may be pushing the deer you'd normally see. it depends on how much land you have to hunt, what's happening on the land surrounding yours, and your herd numbers. if you have a small amount of doe on the area you hunt, and one buck is hoggin all the action, the other bucks will look for does to breed elsewhere.
There Is no way In heck any of us can honestly answer your questions Huntingson on why other mature bucks haven't visited your area more. It could be a number of things, who knows.
To a large degree, I would agree. However, the past 7-8 years (i.e. since our old poaching neighbor moved) our land will typically hold, at least the majority of their time, 4-5 adult bucks. This year, once the velvet shed, all the bucks that were around from last year vacated and did not return for other than the quick pass through until this guy was not around. Yes, bucks will push each other out of areas, spread out, and then group back up, but I have never seen it to this degree, if that is indeed what happened. I just thought it was interesting, and was curious if others thought my theory held water. Schultzy, I understand no one knows for sure. I am just trying to get others' thoughts on the subject.
Nobody's saying why it happened. We're offering opinions (or theories....like the OP). Jim....one thing to think about is....were you seeing younger bucks? Age doesn't = dominance. Just a(nother) thought.
Interesting. I don't have enough knowledge/observations with mature bucks like this to offer anything meaningful, but this could have some interesting opinions. BTW Any pics of the buck Jim? Congrats
I think your theory.. even if incorrect.. holds tremendous water. I'm not picking on you Schultzy.. but when you say "we have no idea what they are doing"... it's counterproductive IMO to what a deer hunter is trying to accomplish. If you're not guessing.. you're not thinking... and if you're not thinking... what are we doing but just sitting.. hoping on a wing and a prayer. I think your theory.. even if incorrect... holds tremendous water Huntingson.
Come on Duke. All I said was none of us really have a clue, we can speculate all we want. Were not there. WE don't know his woods/area. Nothing wrong with giving opinions though, never said nothing was wrong with that.
Rybo, I can't upload anything from here (work) and I haven't had internet at home for a few months so unfortunately I am unable to share any photos. His rack wasn't huge by any means. Short tines but decent mass and his inside spread was over 17". I never measured him though other than throwing up the tape measure just to see a rough idea on his spread. His head and body were enormous though. Biggest heart and lungs I have ever seen come out of a deer. I know his score won't be much, but any deer that is 3.5 or older is a real trophy in my book. Kodiak... Why didn't I think of that first? LOL There is some possibility of relation to standing corn. It was finally cut around us shortly after I shot that buck.
Good theory, but not sure if it's accurate. Standing corn is a great place for them to hide. I saw a lot more deer this year once the corn was cut.
