History with a buck

I never had to much history with a buck but just can not seam to connect with him. Anyone every have issues like this?



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Im not following please elaborate more. What im getting is you've seen bucks you want to shoot but cant get an oppertunity yet you also are not after the same buck for years.

 

I have two bucks that I get consistantly on camera during July, August, and September for two years now. They have a different fall range and move out about October. I have never laid eyes on them while hunting. The buck I killed this year, I’ve never seen on camera. I’m hoping next year, their fall range shrinks and as they get older they ll start to make some daylight appearances. Should be 4 years old this year.

For some reason, where I hunt, the older bigger bucks move out and 2.5 and 3.5 year old move in when we start getting cold front in early october. I’ve been hunting this property for 2 years and am just starting to get a better idea of what goes on.

 

Killed an 8.5 year old Nov 9 th.
First time I've seen him since he was 4.
100' s of pics but all but one were after dark untill this Oct when he finnally started moving a bit during daylight.
If he's still alive, it CAN happen!

 

This is the buck I’m after I have seen him once in the stand right at last light but he knew something wasn’t right and went after direction. I’ve got tons of tail cam pics of him


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Wow, he’s got some beams on him!

 

That buck would keep me up at night! Heck of a buck.

 

Welcome to bowhunting, more specifically, welcome to hunting A deer. You my friend will definitely have to get used to disappointment. I say this jokingly or course, but I've found that when you start targeting one specific deer, especially one that has some age and has "been around the block" a few times, it can be a very frustrating and perplexing endeavor. The bucks that live to see their 4th, 5th and so on birthdays are different animals. They're tough to pin down to patterns, become reclusive, etc. You typically only get one or two opportunities to kill him and if it doesn't pan out... best of luck to ya. I've found that you have to hunt these deer differently than other bucks.

Thats not to say its not doable. Folks pattern and kill these types of bucks every single season. But its a commitment thing. If you really want to hunt and kill that one buck, you have to be all in.

 

I believe what you're seeing is two fold. I see this to some extent as well. One reason, the older bucks simply don't like to fight and get tore up by these 3 1/2 year olds. The 3 1/2 year olds are the younger crowd at the bar raising hell. The old guys find a different bar thats quieter and less work for the ladies. The second reason, sort of related to the first. The food sources change in October and the does go where the "new" food is. The older bucks know that the rut is not here yet. After all, they've been through at least 3 previous ruts. They know when its "go time", why expend a bunch of energy defending turf that won't carry many does later anyway? I just believe that the older bucks know how to operate as safely and efficiently during the rut. They breed as many does as they can and fight as little as possible doing it.

 

yes. it took me three years to finally get my buck this year. now I'm hooked on finding a deer and hunting only him. I have always been told when you get this way you have fully matured as a hunter. not sure if that's true but fun to think so.

 

It has nothing to do with maturing (just ask my wife)... you simply reached a level of obsession and or insanity that not many are willing to just admit to.. lol

 

I guess that's another way of looking at it. but only a few truly reach that point. haha

 

I think insanity and obsession are definitely a way of describing the behavior when a hunter only hunts one buck. Probably a little stupidity mixed in with that! Luckily I haven't gotten that attached to just one buck. Hope I never see the day too.

 

lots of disappointing days. but when you succeed and get your target buck you reach such an indescribable high emotionally. it truly pushes you as a hunter and woodsman for sure.

 

So I hung a new set for hunting the big one and hunted it Thursday December 7th did not end up seeing him at all. So I climbed down after dark and put up a trail cam in a small block of woods I was curious to see if he was moving through it and sure enough I pulled the card tonight and 1 1/2 hrs after hanging the camera he came thru


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looks like you're on the right track. good luck!