Ok, I've made it to this point of the hunting year multiple times in my life but have never been able to seal the deal. Three days ago I went out to hunt after not being out for a week and found some scrapes near the stand. I out up a camera, hunted the next day also and decided to let my curiosity get to me. I checked my camera after only one night and had 15 pictures of my #1 hit list buck freshening up the scrapes. Now, of course it was at 2 am so obviously I can't shoot him then. But this is where I get lost every year. What can I do next to get him to come out at daylight? Just wait till the rut and hope for the best? I'm in central GA for the record. Any help is appreciated
Your likely not near enough his core, how big is your property? If nothing else you might just have to hope he chases a doe that way during the rut like you said. Others may have better ideas though.
Scrape dripper might help, only the heat of the sun makes it drip. Conditioning him to come in light when the scent the strongest. Good luck
Keep checking the cameras and when he starts to show up during legal light, hunt. Until then, I would not pressure him. Around here, that would be somewhere around the 27th of October.
If you have an idea as to where he might bed set up there but it will have to be a hit and run operation. Meaning you're going to have to set up in the morning and take down when you leave other wise he will notice and leave. Generally his bedding area will be very thick stuff
@Bowhunt4abuck is correct. You're likely nowhere near his core area, but rather somewhere within his home range. Depending on the age of the buck, these can have some overlap. Size of the property will be good to know, and how many trail cameras you have. What you should be doing is casting a "net" of cameras and make notes on where and what time you are catching him on cam. Tighten that net every two to three weeks and you should come up with a better idea of where he's bedding. This is why big bucks take years to pattern. I would avoid scrape drippers or hunting scrapes at this point in the season. Its too early yet and most of the rubbing and scraping is happening after shooting hours. Toward the end of October this might be a better option, not because they are all of a sudden visiting the scrapes during daylight, but the frequency of visits increase. This is not just your buck, but what most hunters are experiencing right now (So don't feel alone). You need to get closer to the food in the mornings, or closer to the bed at night to catch him during shooting hours this time of year. Hope this helps & makes sense. Best of luck!
So if I'm understanding your post you are waiting for your first kill. How about spending more time in the woods learning about deer rather than coming to the internet looking for a shortcut. The more time spent in the woods should lead to greater successes down the road. I can't think of anything more satisfying than pursuing deer in this fashion. That's been my experience. Good Luck!
I don't think he's looking for a shortcut, he's looking for help and advice. He said he's gotten to this point several times so maybe he's spent some time in the woods. This is the whole reason the forum exists; hunters helping other hunters; not criticizing them for asking for advice.
So when did my experience become criticism? Futhermore, I offered advice, the same ol' advice that has always worked for hunters 100% of the time!
You are not likely to encounter that buck during daylight hours if he is visiting your location at 2am. As stated before, check your trail cams and once you see him making appearance in the daylight, move in and see what you can do. Until then, I would avoid hunting and scenting up the area. Overhunting can lead to getting burned out and not hunting when you really should be. Overhunting also leads to educating the deer in that area to your presence and will change their movement patterns.
No, it was implying he was looking for a shortcut. It is not 1950 anymore....forums are one more tool in the hunters tool belt.....you just have to realize that it is not all Gospel.
I was merely offering an option; the internet or more time in the woods. You must have missed that..... I digress.
I believe it was your delivery that has people a little put off. The facts are that overhunting and area will also have a negative impact. Not to mention many people that start the season and hunt really hard end up burning out and end up missing days during prime time. Only hunting an area on the right wind and right conditions will greatly increase a persons chance of being successful. It's kinda the hunt smart, not hard mentality.
