Hunting a Specific Deer

[AndyW]

Guys,

Three times recently I've seen my version of a trophy buck on my place. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to kill this deer. I'm seeing him in the afternoons and twice now I've watched him walk the exact same path across my field and graze down a tree line.

What are some tips for hunting a specific buck? This guy is definitely at least 3.5 and I'm no great hunter so this is going to be a challenge.

Your feedback is appreciated.

 

[Football Hunter]

I have no idea,his range could change greatly over the next few weeks.Acorns falling some where else,pressure,neighbors dogs,who knows.

The one thing I would try to do is not pressure him at all,set up a stand now,hope his route stays the same till you can hunt him.

 

[RockChucker30]

I've been fortunate to take several 3.5 or older bucks that I had pictures of.

For me it's about controlling all the variables you can control. Scent control is very important, as is having a solid stand entry/exit plan, NEVER hunting a stand on the wrong wind, etc. My goal is for deer to never know I was there after hunting. You've also got to pick really good stand sights.

Once you get those down it allows you to make the most of the mistakes a buck will make.

A couple other tips:

The best time to kill a mature buck is when you see him. That is the only time you know exactly what area he's in at a specific time. Make the most of that and do what it takes to put him on the ground.

My favorite days to hunt are November 9-12. I hunt all day those days. Know what those days are in your area.

Maybe the most important thing is to stay positive. Know that every minute you're out there you're closer to getting him. If your early season plan doesn't work, don't give up- just make another plan.

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

dont hunt the spot until you have a perfect wind

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I wouldnt worry about it right now. He will likely shift ranges between now and season. Wait til conditions are perfect in November and hunt the best terrain funnel around. He may not even be around by then but something will be.

 

[horn master]

The late pre rut will be time to kill him. I would hunt somewhere else until then unless he shows right before season and is doing something on a regular basis. Only hunt when conditions are perfect. It doesn't take much to bump a mature deer out of an area especially once he rubs out. Good luck with him!

 

[BSK]

I'm seeing him in the afternoons and twice now I've watched him walk the exact same path across my field and graze down a tree line.

First, don't assume where and what a buck does in summer-time means anything about where he will be and what he does in the fall.

 

[TheLBLman]

Do you bowhunt?

First, don't assume where and what a buck does in summer-time means anything about where he will be and what he does in the fall.

That's very true.
However, he MIGHT still be on similar patterns during early archery season.

IMO, the best opportunity you'll have to kill him (time wise) will be the muzzleloader season, particularly the first few days if you get cooler than normal weather. Even though he may do some range shifting between summer and fall, he's still familiar with the area you've seen him. He'll come back to visit in his search for a hot doe, although he could be absent from the area for several weeks between late September and late October.

Everything can go to heck fast after the rut peak.
First, good chance he's already dead by then.
Secondly, he'll stop roaming so much, and then (post-rut) revert to a feeding pattern, possibly miles from where you see him during summer.

 

[landman]

dont hunt the spot until you have a perfect wind

I totally agree with ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER, if winds not right go don't try it, its the Best Scent Control you can get...IMO

 

[102]

I suggest you get a long range rifle and kill him now, while you are still able to pattern him!

LOL

Actually, stay away from him. Long range watching only.

See if you can spot a trr for the first day you hunt him, which will probably be the ONLY chance you get.

But truthfully, wait until about Sept. 20th. See if he is still around. If not, just hunt and enjoy your time in the woods.

Then find the does and hunt them. He won't be far behind come late October.

 

[Super8]

I'm seeing him in the afternoons and twice now I've watched him walk the exact same path across my field and graze down a tree line.

First, don't assume where and what a buck does in summer-time means anything about where he will be and what he does in the fall.

Aint that the truth !
But it sure is fun trying to figure it all out.

 

[Winchester]

Hope he stays on his summer pattern until Bow season opens (unlikely) and if he does, your best chance will be the very first time you invade his space and hunt him! Choose wisely for your first set, and shoot straight if the opportunity presents itself! Good luck!

 

[BHC]

Very very difficult I've had specific deer picked out to hunt the last 3 seasons. The first season I shot him openin day of bow. IMO 99% of the time after the first 10 days of bow your chance at patterning a buck is over. So early find his core area find the preferred food source and hunt him ( if wind and weather is good). Then doe hunt or whatever jus stay out till nov. then hunt funnels and jus hope he come by, don't pass up on another buck that'll make you happy waitin on that one... My 2 cents, from my experience...

 

[BHC]

Never found that 1st one by the way...

 

[Matador]

It will probably just frustrate you. Myself I would skip bow seasson and try to hunt him the first 2-3 days of muzzleloader. If I didn't see him, I would back out and wait for gun season and do the same thing. I would hunt all day long too. I just think this would maximize your range and give you a better chance than with a bow. All of the other things the others have mentioned are very important also, scent control, stand placement, practice shooting etc. Good luck and hunt all day. If you are not in the woods you can't kill him.

 

[Bottom Hunter]

last season was the only season that I saw a deer before the season and tried to hunt him.....

saw him one time while hunting.....during bow season.

Didn't see him again.

Normally, I set up on travel corridors and let the deer walk by me and pick one out.

Alot of hunters like to think they can go after a certain deer and sometimes it does turn out well, but more times than not it does not. it's basic coincidence that the hunter and deer came together...


good luck.

 

[102]

saw him one time while hunting.....during bow season.


Usually about the only way it goes.

Alot of hunters like to think they can go after a certain deer and sometimes it does turn out well, but more times than not it does not. it's basic coincidence that the hunter and deer came together...


good luck.

AMEN to that!!

 

[Hollar Hunter]

Hunt only when the conditions are perfect so you don't blow him out the area.If he's still on the same pattern the week before season and the winds right go for it. This will be the earliest opener will have in quite some time so he just might be on that summer pattern still. If not I would stay out till late Oct. like others said. I've got one certain buck on my radar and im not touching the spot till the last week of Oct where ive had pics of him in shooting light under a community scrape that they've used for the 7 years I been hunting there. It's just an old dead single limb but every year they make a huge scrape under it. GOOD LUCK