Over the past three plus decades I've mostly hunted the foothills and mountains. I've spent much of this time working on basics such as learning where the deer I hunt tend to be throughout the day. I also work on keeping track of the prevailing winds and the changing thermals. I've kept runnining journals of this for most all the areas I've hunted throughout my life. Certain patterns may emerge that are unique to particular areas or to particular bucks you are seeking, but most often generalized patterns develop that stay fairly constant throughout the years. At this point, I use this gathered information to identify funnels within the deer's travel routes to target. This can be by ambush in the traditional static stand hunting sense of meaning, or this could be by spotting from afar and then working your way to intercept at one of these identified funnels in a dynamic stalk hunting sense of the meaning. In the end, this boils down to lots of good hard scouting while using good observation skills which makes for easy hunting. This scouting is not just pre-season, but is conducted every time you step into the deer woods. Always observe and take note of your observations.
As a result of doing this over the years, I now find it far easier to look at a new area from afar with no previous experience by using topo maps and aerial photos to have a good idea as to likely bedding areas, water, and food sources. Today it takes me far less time once my boots are on the ground to confirm this information and to identify travel routes and funnels to target. I also find it easier to look at the lay of the land and to predict the thermals and wind changes based off the prevailing winds of the day. This is a big factor for me as I hunt mostly afoot and at times distances as small as ten yards for where you place your feet can mean the difference of your scent being carried off so you are invisible to the deer that are within close quarters, or can mean you are easily winded by the deer from a distance. I do not rely on luck for this stage of the hunt and give great thought as to how I attack an identified hot spot as it relates to sun, wind, and thermals. I place every odd I can to my favor and give up nothing willingly to the deer.
A final old time tried and true method to tag big bucks is to target the doe of the buck you seek. Many have success going straight after a big buck during the pre-rut, but most often will end up with that big buck patterning the hunter first, and the hunter will then lose any chance at the buck. Often it is better to determine the best travel routes and funnels to ambush the doe in the area of the big buck you seek without being too aggressive so you are not patterned by the doe. Have patience in timing for the rut and carefully choose the best identified hot spot for the conditions present at the time. If you stack the deck in your favor and you allow the doe to pass, you just may find that big buck in tow well within 15yards with nothing on his mind but the doe he is following. Every single big buck I've posted pictures of on the *********** were taken using this technique and all were point blank range, save one which was beyond 20yards being my longest shot to date.
Good Luck,
Daddy Bear
Topic: What made the difference for your hunting success? (Read 598 times)
