It's looking like I'm going to have a SSW wind at least the next two possibly three and four days days, and that's great for me for my best spot. I KNOW a tall 8 point is hanging in this area (see my map post from the other day), and I saw him again last night on my way home from another stand on the property. I NEED a S or SW or W wind to hunt this, with a SW being the most ideal. I'm antsy, and want to get in, but tonight it's still going to be in the upper to mid 60s, while tomorrow (same wind forecasted) it's supposed to be a whole ten degrees colder. Technically, I could hunt the stand both days, but I'm not sure I want to overpressure the area yet (it is still just a hair early). Temps this weekend are also supposed to really drop off, and as long as I have a W wind, I'm planning to be in this area as well, so again, the over hunting is a concern, but at the same time, I'm ready to get aggressive. So, do you guys get more aggressive in an area when temps aren't ideal, but the wind is, and you have several confirmed daytime/evening sightings of a good buck in the area in the past, or do you wait for better temps?
If you can hold off I would wait to hunt your best spot when the temps drop tomorrow. Hunt close by today but off enough that you do not pressure your best spot. Friday is going to be that day for me Matt. I have been waiting for a NW wind and it is finally slated to come through and drop the temps 15 degrees overnight Thursday and into Friday. I am moving in to KILL.
if the deer is there its there. temp or not. but i hate hunting warm weather, drives me nuts, i dont know why
True, but his movements could be dictated a bit by the temps. Last night it was VERY mild, and it was dark when I saw him in the pasture on my way out. On saturday (also very warm), he and the doe group he was with weren't moving until after legal hours either).
You know he is in your area, go in and get him. Waiting him out for what you feel is better weather is to passive. You know where he is now.... You have no idea where he may be in 2 or 3 days. Act on it.
I like this. Plus I think the deer move more when a front is coming in and there will be a change in the weather. He might be up and moving this evening ahead of the weather change.
Alright, I'll give it a go. I've had enough shot opps from this stand, so we'll find out if my luck has run out or not.
If you're seeing him routinely in the area, you might be best served to get in there and hunt him. I would even say you should have been in there after him earlier. Once the seeking and chase phase of the rut starts, he could turn up anywhere. The key here is that he is, or was able to be patterned. Of course if this particular stand is a primary rut stand for you, I'd wait till this weather gets more favorable and get after him.
He's already seeking That's why he's now in the area. He's hanging around a major doe bedding area. Saw him on camera in September, never saw him again until Saturday morning. Now he's turned up three times.
I know many guys on here are much better buck hunters than myself but here is why I chose to be a little more cautious. I have chosen to be more aggressive in the past few years and it has paid off, but I still have to pick and choose my set-ups because one false move could spook a buck I am after if I am not careful. Even though that buck is in there he might not be on his feet but 10 minutes during daylight hours when the temps are warmer and when he is not really horny (which is now). If you go in and hunt the area and do not see him you are leaving your scent all over the place. IF you wait and hunt only a couple of days later(we are not talking weeks) when the conditions improve to the point where they might cause him to be on his feet during daylight hours for say 30 minutes, then you might have a better chance at killing him the first sit. That is my logic and 2 cents. Of course I am 2.5 year old buck killing machine so what do I know about bigger bucks.
VS, he MAYBE (big MAYBE because I haven't gotten a great look at him) a 3.5, but I think he's a 2.5, so your advice might be spot on:D Jk. In all seriousness, your thoughts on the heat and when he gets moving mirror mine which is what spawned this thread.
hunt him now. Temperature affects my aggression only in how lazy am I to walk in real far & sweat a lot. Other than that, just hunt where you think the deer are going to be.
If the wind is perfect now........ what are you waiting for? Don't cut your odds of success by 50 % by waiting. 60's is a decent temp for movement also. As long as you can get in and out of your stand undetected, you'll be alright. Good luck.
