So, many of you have heard me make mention of the 90 acres of ground I hunt. It's my parents ground, and while my father and I have done quite a few improvements to the property (TSI, food plots, ag lease, created a sanctuary, etc.), the past few seasonal observations and trail camera evidence shows our property doesn't HOLD any mature bucks with consistency. The 1.5s are abundant, but the 3.5+ usually cruise through starting about now through mid-December with an emphasis on late November (my last two bucks were shot during the first week of December). I have one spot that has been a known doe bedding area that I slowly learned over the past 3 years (I'm a slow learner). It's new growth from when we had a selective timbering done 12 years ago, and it's full of tops and tons of new tree shoots, briars, etc., It's a pinch point (rather large) about 100yds at its widest, on a side hill between our food plot and my parents home/driveway. There's not much in the way of topography that yells "hunt here!," it's just observations in years past (shot my buck last year in this spot). This year had me a little concerned since I don't venture into it until this time of year, but I did hunt it one Saturday AM this season and only saw a tail or two. Sunday afternoon, I went in mid day and made a mock scrape, and on the way in, I saw 5 doe working through the cover. Last night, those same 5 came into my plot from that bedding area confirming that they are still in there. Now, this spot is hit or miss, but I KNOW it's only a matter of time until this spot is where I need to be. The little ones are still with these doe, so it's not yet. I want to be patient, but not TOO patient (our archery season ends the 16th). It's odd being in this position of actually knowing you have a spot that is proven to hold doe and have success with bigger bucks. The problem is timing. There's a front pushing through this week with temps dropping to a littler more seasonal by Saturday. I think that's the first day I'm going to hit it hard. Question is this. I've heard many of you guys over the years say that during this time frame, while scent control is important, you have to strike while the iron is hot so to speak. If you know an area is holding does, and you have good entry and exit, will you hunt in sub-optimal winds just to get as much seat time to put the odds in your favor? In years past, I think I've been a little too passive this time of year.
I have a very similar spot on the farm I hunt. Yesterday we had a east wind which isn't right for that spot so I went somewhere else and saw a grand total of 0 deer. This weekend I will be in that thick stuff regardless of wind. The more I think about it I realize that when bucks are cruising you have no idea which way they will come from and its all luck at that point. I say get in there and kill a monster!
during the rut, most any stand in the woods could be productive if placed in the right spot and you are there at the right time. during morning sits during the rut I would concentrate your efforts in or around as close to wear you think the does are bedding and or the bucks without alerting them of your presence. then as far as evening sits i like to concentrate on green field edges that butt up to bedding areas this seems to be where bucks will frequent during the evenings searching for hot does out feeding in a food plot or some kind of known doe feeding source. transition areas between these spots are also good locations! as far as the wind goes try to hunt it so it is somewhat in your favor but mostly the bucks. most all of the time the buck will cruise the down wind side of bedding areas and or fields, so ultimately try to be as scent free as possible with the wind somewhat in your favor and a wind you know a buck will be searching the spot your hunting. happy hunting!!
You know I like you so much I will take one for the team and hunt there and let you know if the wind is right or not...LOL. Kidding of course. If you know the wind is blowing towards the bedding areas I can only say be mindful of your scent and maybe try to get up high so your scent carries farther before it drops.
