I live in Broome county NY and trying to get a really nice buck to come over to our property from the adjacent neighbors land. He & a nice buddy cross the boundary line ( barely ) to get to a ton of acorns. Unfortunately the guy that owns that property is a bit of an a** and won't even allow us to track a wounded deer onto his land. But he & his son have no problem riding 4wheeler up our road that is runs on our side & where these deer come to feed on the acorns. Here's a pic I've got a trophy rock about 200 yards from this location that many bucks are hitting but not these two. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
Ummm, Hunter Bob.... I'm a bit speechless about ur choice of headgear..... But ur long bow is pretty cool. Can't see it well enough but looks similar to my fathers and he had it custom built. Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
Unfortunately there's no place to put a food plot. It's pretty steep and very little sun light. I've considered trying some mock scrapes but didn't get any pics on them last yr at a different property To some hunters the big buck ( that I call Grandpaw ) may not be all that big, but to us he's a GIANT. We don't see bucks in this age class or antler size often. Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
My first tactic would be to try and rattle him in when the time comes. I would make a couple mock scapes During rut I would do a doe in heat drag and do some estrus bleats
I'd look for the big guy during the rut because he will move around a little cruising for doe. If you don't see him at all on your cameras, shoot the best buck on your property and be happy with it. The grass is always greener and the meat will taste the same (or maybe better if he is an old grandpa).
Think about what he wants. most of the year he wants cover. for a few weeks he wants does. If you cant do a food plot...I would concentrate on making your property the thickest nastiest patch of woods around. That will bring deer in as good or better than a food plot will. too late to do that this year...but if you start in the spring I bet you will see a difference every year after that
I've never tried rattling before but willing to give it a shot. I've attempted mock scrapes a couple of time w/out much luck but I think ur right with this set up. Past attempts prob failed d/t lack of knowledge of where the boys were & their patterns. Thanks
I love rattling in deer I usually start a little post rut with some light rattling and as they respond better going toward the rut I will really mash them Hold on to your seats most bucks I call in come rushing in with a purpose
Good point about what he wants. I need to think more like him. How would u make it thick &nasty? The owner had it logged this spring. Not to much but took some of the best oaks. Sucks as this took away some of the best food source to pull him over. They only made a few small partial areas that under brush will come up. I've considered making one of these a small food plot but not sure I can get the equipment in to clear out the stumps & stuff. Might b worth the try. What would u plant? Moderate sun exposure, and most likely heavy browse pressure. There aren't any existing ag fields around so these deer aren't used to a free buffet, which could really work ! Area is about 50 yes wide & maybe 100 yes long. Prob shorter. Suggestions ?
I'd love to see that! As for doe bleats, is that one of those can calls? I used to have an adjustable grunt call that could do bleats but current one doesn't
If the property has recently been logged that may actually work in your favor. Lots more sunlight will touch the ground an native browse will grow in super thick. Did the loggers leave the treetops? If there is an area with small to medium sized junk (no timber or mast value) trees, a selective hinge cut would do a lot of good to create a thick bedding area. As far as what to plant...really depends on your soil type (clay, loam, sandy, etc). For a first planting with minimal ground prep it is hard to beat cereal grains like winter oats, wheat, or rye. If you test the soil you can plan for different forages in subsequent years.
99 times outta 100, trying to get a mature buck to move where you want him to will have a negitive effect!
Yes there are a few treetops so I'm glad to hear this may work in my favor. It's not thick & nasty yet, but by next yr it prob will fill in a lot. Come next spring I'll check it out and see if I'd be able to get some of it prepared for a kill plot. Thanks for your info. And congratulations on your urban / park land acceptance
