Kind of curious at what makes some of you hunters successful taking mature bucks 4.5 and older? To me It's a night and day difference between a 3.5 and a 4.5+ year old buck. Of all the mature bucks I've saw through out the years and I've saw a good share of them, a 1/3 of them I'd bet were 4.5 year olds and up. It might even be lower then a 1/3, probably Is. I honestly don't think the 4.5 year old numbers are here like they use to be but I also know for a fact that I need to become a better hunter to get on these 4.5's that are here. What works for you all? Thanks In advance!!
I've only killed one deer that was 4.5 that I know of, one other may have been. I started hunting funnels instead of trails in 2006. It's not flashy, but it has paid off with my 3 best bucks since then. I will admit, I see far fewer deer, but much bigger deer since I started doing this.
A lot of if comes down to his hunting location and the amount of pressure put on these animals in their home environment. I agree 100% that there is HUGE difference in the difficulty in killing a 4 1/2 up as opposed to a 3 1/2 in the same woods. But with that said, I also believe there is MORE difference from location to location than there is in the 1 year spread of age. Look at the deer pics I posted in the Cull buck=BS thread. I could be wrong, but I am comfortable the 1st 2 deer were 4 1/2's. ( I know the second one is because he has defining markings on his legs that the members recognized from several years past). Yet because of the lack of hunting pressure these guys receive, I assure you they would be easier to kill than my "local 2 1/2's" hands down. So there is a lot of comparing "apples to oranges" when different properties are concerned even within the same county/state, at least IMO.
Schultzy, I have never taken a mature buck, but have been within range of 4 of them in the last 4 years. I can tell you what does NOT work. Not having attention to detail...ie:entrance/exit strategies, not using the wind correctly, lax scent control, not having a plan for the correct timing of hunt in a specific area, etc. Anytime I have tightened up in those areas, my mature buck sightings have increased and so have my chances. Other than that, I cannot help you.
Usually means simply passing up a lot of other bucks. Some that are really great deer, the kind that make you wish you would have shot them at the end of a deerless season.
I've got three on my wall that I believe to be 4 year old bucks if not older. I attribute it mostly to luck and persistence...being in the right place at the right time. If I truly knew what I was doing I would probably have more than three of them. :D Of course there also needs to be bucks of that age in a person's hunting area in order to kill one.
No doubt Greg, years spent In the woods Is anyone's best remedy. Your proof of that! Thanks for posting Fletch, I was hoping I'd hear something out of you. Passing on bucks has never been a problem for me. I've let many 115" to 125" 3.5 year olds walk but I did let one walk that I should of shot. My little story that I'm about to tell you has really nothing to do with the thread but I'll tell It anyway. Back In 1995 or 1996 I remember one 4.5 year old that I thought was a 120" 8 point. I saw him at about 50 yards and when he got with In 30 yards I hung my recurve up saying to myself he Isn't big enough (130" Is my cut off). As I was sitting there In my seat the buck came by at 12 yards broadside and that's when I noticed he was a 10 Instead of an 8, damn did I kick myself hard that night when I got home. Never will my bow be hung up again when I see deer regardless If their bucks or doe's, big mistake but a huge lesson learned!! In 15 years of mature buck hunting only I've only shot one 4.5 year old. The last 10 of these 15 years Is when I really started to get serious about this stuff. I can say this that If I knew then (10 to 15 years ago) what I know now I have a feeling I'd have a few more 4.5's on the wall. We had ourselves a hot woods 10 to 15 years ago, we had a good share of 3.5 and 4.5 year old bucks using our land.
I hear you Man. I missed a whopper, 150+ 8 pointer a couple of years ago................................... you don't forget about those!
Steve, I truly believe that the amount of pressure on the deer in a certain area also plays a big part. If you have your own land, can keep others off it and not be all over the place all the time, the more you will see older bucks. Good Luck my Northern Brother (Dontcha know)!
