heres the background: very small/residential spot, i can literally shoot from one end to the other. BUT, its got an apple grove on it. and is surrounded by bedding area.. this is my first year hunting it. and there have been plenty of does on it, but untill recently no bucks. Heres what i need help with: Now that its colder and the rut is on I have a really nice 8 pointer frequenting the land 3-5 times a week, but hes consistantly coming in 30 mins after shooting hours.. i havent really been hunting this land for the last month, because ive got some big dear on my other hunting spot. but i would like to try and take this guy.. obviously im gonna try rattling/ doe bleating to get him to come over earlier, i assume hes bedding down within ear shot.. any pointers or tips to help?
You can't kill a buck that is only showing up after dark. Shoot as many does as you have tags for. This might force him to search for does during daylight hours during the rut. Otherwise, you are just hoping to get lucky. If you over hunt the spot, he will pattern you and only come out in the dark. Only sit there when the wind is right.
given how residential this area is, and how close to dusk hes coming in, ide be willing to be hes bedding down within 150 yards of my spot, you dont think i can nudge him to "unbed" earlier and come check out what i got going on, ie noises or scents? rettling, doe pee, etc? Yeah im the only hunter within a 1/2 mile of there, i know cuz im the only one with a permit. and i havent even hunted it in close to month.. but its so residential i doubt hunting pressure would really change anything... as theres people out all over the place on a reg basis. Im literally hunting in a back yard on an acre lot.. but theres probably about 7-10 acres of tall grasses and a sm pond around me that im sure hes bedding in.
