I'm up in west central MN and I hunt some hills that's mostly grass but I'm in the process of letting trees grow and fill out a shelter belt. I consistently get really nice bucks on camera early season and into October, but almost exclusively night time photos. It seems as when the rut starts all the bucks clear out and will not show up until late season. Anyone have any tips going forward or things I can do to help hold mature bucks? Thanks in advance.
Welcome... Quick question, what do you mean by "hold" mature bucks? If they are there, early season and late season, all your missing are the Does for mid season.
Welcome to the forum! Just throwing out a guess(without topo or map) I would say you need to create bedding. Consider switchgrass. In Venatione Veritas
Natural food sources (browse, fruit, acorns, etc), water, or security... Get the does and you'll have the bucks.
There are a few things you can try to attract and hold mature bucks in your hunting area during the rut: Food plots: Planting food plots with attractive crops such as clover, soybeans, or corn can help keep deer in the area during the rut. Make sure to plant food plots in strategic locations near cover and bedding areas. Scent control: Mature bucks have a keen sense of smell, so taking steps to minimize human scent in the hunting area can help attract and hold deer. This includes using scent-eliminating clothing and soaps, hunting with the wind in your favor, and avoiding unnecessary disturbance of the area. Trail cameras: Use trail cameras to monitor deer activity and determine where bucks are traveling and feeding. This can help you determine where to place your stands and how to hunt the area effectively. Decoys: Using realistic deer decoys can help attract and hold bucks in the area during the rut. Set up decoys near food plots or in areas where you have seen deer activity. Scents and calls: Using deer scents and calls can also be effective in attracting bucks during the rut. Try using doe-in-heat scents or grunting calls to simulate the sounds and smells of a receptive doe. Remember, hunting mature bucks during the rut can be challenging, but with the right strategies and preparation, you can increase your chances of success. Good luck and stay safe!
I think it's white tail solutution. He details land set up. Heres my take on it Build your land like a sandwich. Start at the top and look at the layers. Top bread = boundaries and roads access Lettuce = food plots, mast trees Onions = cover around food. Hinges, mast bushes, small trees Tomatoes = doe bedding Cheese = more cover trees mast brush Meat = there's your buck Bread your now back to access and space between borders So how you arrange your sandwich on the plate depends on prevailing winds.
just noticed the date of the OP, but .... plant food plots if possible to hold the Does, the bucks will then come looking ... unless it is a sizeable chunk of property, bucks have a fairly large travel range during the rut (think of miles), and most will have a sizeable home core range ...
