Finding does vs Finding bucks

[Bear55]

Like they say, the harder you work the luckier you get. I am hoping all my miles and hours scouting pay off one of these days, if I get a nice buck it won't be by accident.

[matchset]

I hardly ever see a doe.

I think all of the above statements are correct BUT...

I also beleive if you want to see/shoot big bucks, you have to HUNT big bucks.

+1

i set my stands up for bucks, not for "optimum viewing pleasure". Fields are fun, because you see lots of deer, but if you get into the Nitty Gritty you might see more mature deer.

[mainbutter]

To "set your stand up for bucks", what do you look for?

My method so far has been to set up on obvious foot trails through wooded areas. Pretty much all of the land is either wooded, or thick brush and thickets, and so far I've been sticking to areas with the biggest and oldest trees. We have no fields on those 120 acres.

[matchset]

you've got to ask yourself.... are these thick trails being used during daylight? a lot of times, the biggest trails are only used after dark.

i like to look for faint trails or areas that are more of a "staging" area.... bucks rarely walk on a trail for more than 10 steps. they mill around and browse on different vegetation.

bucks like security cover. most of the time, they will feel more comfortable walking in and out of a buck thorn thicket than in a maple tree flat.

[jay83196]

I usually hunt same spots most years have ladder stands in set spots I see does mostly but occasional bucks of a variety of size. If I wanted to look for more large buck driven locations just go deeper in the woods maybe by a swamp or thicker area and look for signs there? Off trails, between food sources/bedding areas?

[Bear55]

To "set your stand up for bucks", what do you look for?

I look for two things, buck sign and places most hunters are unwilling to go. They usually go hand in hand. If you have some prime private land you might have more options but on public you have to work harder to find the best spots.

For me water and swamps = more bucks. They want to go where they feel safe and where you can't sneak up on them, that is rarely on the high ground unless you are in some hilly terrain.

[96trigger]

I hunt bluffland and river valley bottoms, I don't have any idea how to hunt northwoods swamps or thickets. I would more than likely find a good trail and hunt off it.

I have enjoyed this thread a lot. There has been a lot of sound information, and very little pushy opinions. It has been a refreshing change from some of the common threads in the past.

I agree that it is a small percentage of hunters that consistently score on mature bucks. They are generally very passionate about whitetail hunting and are dedicated and disciplined in their approach. This doesnt mean you are not if you dont regularly shoot big bucks, it just means that whatever regimen those guys are doing, works very well for them.

As we get older we either get more obsessed/passionate, or we get nonchalant. It depends on what is important to you and how badly you want to take on a mature whitetail. Trying to outwit a mature buck year in and year out is tough. I still seem to learn something new every year that makes me a better hunter, I make mistakes and learn from them. I know that the hunter I am now would probably either laugh at or be frustrated with the hunter I was 10 years ago. Every time a buck outsmarts you, you need to learn something. You also need to learn the land you are hunting on. If there is good deer sign and good deer in the area, and you are not seeing them, you have to ask yourself why and then go find the answer.

[psepuncher]

you've got to ask yourself.... are these thick trails being used during daylight? a lot of times, the biggest trails are only used after dark.

i like to look for faint trails or areas that are more of a "staging" area.... bucks rarely walk on a trail for more than 10 steps. they mill around and browse on different vegetation.

bucks like security cover. most of the time, they will feel more comfortable walking in and out of a buck thorn thicket than in a maple tree flat.

X1-...

most main obvious trails that stick out lika a sore thumb are still key.

Locating cross trails at the intersection are good places to start ..tracking.

What are we looking for here? BIG BUCK TRACKS.

99% of the time when you see very large split toe tracks, this is where you might want to start locating those faint trals that will lead to a big buck sanctuary. Now what are we looking for? HEAVY COVER. This will be his, and sometimes their {X2 or 3} core area for bigger mature bucks.

What you don't want to do is sit at {or on} the cross trail and wait for even any deer to come by. Because that is the area where there's more {deer} eyes ears and noses that

will most times get you busted. I stay away from two places, cross trails and

inside of a food source such as an acorn flat. I will hunt near them but never ever on top of them. Deer utilize their 6th sense the most in these two locations.

The thing I have observed is when deer eat, they continually bob their head up and they are checking what's going on. This is where they stay on guard the most.

What else the main heavily used trail tells you, is this most times is used by does and fawns. One other thing about this heavy trail during the rut, expect to only see fawns and yealings. When momma and daddy deer aren't showing up anymore. The fawns will still be .....while the bucks rutting {scent checking for a hot doe}or not, will be as said in the shadows or heavy cover etc.