Seeing Bucks on camera

[shotgun]

Been seeing the same big buck fairly regularly on my gamecam but all the pics have been at night. whats the next step. should i try to find where hes bedding or wait till rut.

 

[BSK]

Mature bucks are often almost completely nocturnal until the week to 10 days before peak breeding kicks in. This pre-peak breeding period is what many call the "cruising" phase of the rut, when bucks look for the first receptive does and are often on their feet 24-hours per day.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Like BSK writes, it's still early yet.

Just one fellow's opinion, but right now what I DON'T do is probably more important than what actions I actually take until the time is right. Over-hunting the very best stands and boogering-up deer right now is simply lessening my chances of killing him (or even seeing him) when he does finally decide to walk during daylight hours.

 

[BSK]

Just one fellow's opinion, but right now what I DON'T do is probably more important than what actions I actually take until the time is right. Over-hunting the very best stands and boogering-up deer right now is simply lessening my chances of killing him (or even seeing him) when he does finally decide to walk during daylight hours.

Well said, and one of the primary reasons I don't bow hunt. I don't want to screw up my best spots before MZ opens right during my local cruising phase of the rut.

Generally, I'm only going to get one chance at a particular buck. I want a MZ in my hands when that one encounter occurs.