Rack brains

[Volbuck777]

Okay guys here to rack your brains, because I can't get a certain rack out of my brain. ( get your mind out of the gutter, not that kind of rack). So here's the problem been watching an 8 point for three years, that's right always an 8. He stays behind the house every year and I let him go twice last year, trying to kill him as a mature buck. So now he's what I'm thinking is 5 because of the past pics plus body structure. Problem is he's moved on he's about a mile down the road from the house and I see him every evening. Man he's already a stud 6 inch brows at least, and I'm sure he's still got some growing to do throughout the month and next month. I know, I know, patterns change, he's not that far, wait till rut, just hunt don't worry about it. But it's killing me, I've got to figure out how to get this dude back home.

 

[Ski]

He might come back home in September. I have some nice ones that spend the winter and early summer, then leave when their antlers get big enough to be a hassle. Their antlers in velvet are sensitive so they avoid thick stuff. Once they shed they usually come back fairly soon. Seems I get them regularly on camera until their antlers begin to protrude beyond their ears, then they disappear until fall.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Sounds like his fall range is where you hunt since you've passed on him several times. As soon as he loses velvet, he'll be shifting. I wouldn't worry about anything....just wait.

 

[Volbuck777]

Hey guys good reply's and appreciate them. But to go a little further with the problem, i should tell you more so you can understand better. First and foremost I only passed him twice not several times, and even then it wasn't on my property it was some I can hunt two miles from me. My property is where I thought his summer range was, because last year him and another smaller 8 was on my cam everyday for a solid month and then every 3-4 days up to September. It's been like this for three years. Then he'd disappear come bow season, and besides the few night pics I had throughout season he was a ghost around here. So in saying that, I'm wondering did his patterns completely change with another year on him. Sounds far fetched but could it be that my place will finally be the fall range. I know as a buck gets older there range seems to dwindle seeing as they're not getting pushed out by other deer as much. But man it's getting to me with bow being right around the corner. So what y'all think.

 

[MUP]

So no way you can hunt where you're seeing him at now? Are you willing to take him on the velvet hunt?

 

[Volbuck777]

Hey mup, very willing to take him in velvet, and definitely can't hunt where he is. My biggest concern is I've kept him somewhat hid ( if that's possible) until now. I have a bad problem with poachers and even have local game wardens set up robotic bucks in my area. But now, this buck is out bedding in the middle of a field almost every evening, as if he wants to be hunted. He has 120 on his head already I imagine, and you don't have to be a buck hunter to know that he may end up that once in a lifetime buck.

 

[MUP]

Yikes. He's asking for it alright! If I wanted that buck badly enough, I believe I might try looking for properties nearby that you might gain permission to hunt? Other than that I would do what I have to do every year, hope the poachers and trespassers don't get him before I get a chance at him on my personal property, and that's exactly what I experience each and every season as a matter of fact. If you have been following TnDeer since last year even, you undoubtedly saw the buck I killed in late December, with a fresh flesh wound that I would say came from a spotlighter within a week of me taking him, and within 3 weeks of my first sighting of him during rifle season.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Sometimes the deer just win at this game we call hunting. There's nothing you can do about it, so I'd just move on. If anything, maybe be pretty selective on what you fill your buck tags with, just in case he shows back up, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Volbuck777]

Mup I have followed the forum, and know what you've been through with poachers. By the way congrats on that buck. Buzz I think that's sound advice even though I hate hearing it. I'll try to keep y'all updated on the deer and hopefully send a pic of me with rack in hand come season.

 

[MUP]

Good luck friend!

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Good luck friend!

This ^^^^

I hope to see those pics.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

Read Don Higgins article "Same Place, Same Time" I've seen it personally and I've seen countless other incidents where hunters were successful. I say that because you may be able to develop a game plan based on past images you have from him in daylight. I had a buck i got in daylight on October 17-20 last season and early May I set a stand for Oct 17-20 hoping to capitalize on same place same time.

 

[Volbuck777]

Good thought may try that, I've been successful in previous years same place same time. Probably rare but not unheard of.