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Post by Woody Williams on Jun 29, 2016 20:16:31 GMT -5
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Post by M4Madness on Jul 1, 2016 17:04:25 GMT -5
I think many people make the mistake of thinking that the buck they've watched all summer will still be around during the early archery season before breeding kicks in. I kept tabs on a buck on a particular farm every year from the time he was 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 (4 years).
I got tons of footage of him every summer until just after he shed his velvet, then he was gone. I had my answer when he was 4 1/2 years old and I let him pass 12 yards from my stand on October 2 -- A MILE AND A HALF FROM THE CAMERA. And that was only the second day of archery season, and does played no part in his movement, nor did food sources. What's funny is that I never considered at that moment that it was the same buck, as I never dreamed he'd travel that far in a non-rut situation.
The next August, I got huge amounts of video of him on his usual summer farm, then after the first week of September, he once again dropped off the camera. I killed him on October 6 -- this time a little over a mile from the camera. Only then did I put two and two together and realize that it was the same buck that I'd let walk the year before. A comparison of the previous year's trail camera footage and the video when I let him walk confirmed my suspicion.
That one harvest has changed the way I look at killing a mature buck. I used to think that they'd hang around the same property all the way up until the search for a hot doe pulled them away temporarily to other farms. I now realize that chances are good that a summer buck will be a mile or more away come October 1. These farms have lots of oak trees, water sources, and cover, and none have crop fields or human pressure, so there is no rhyme or reason as to why all the good bucks establish new ranges in mid to late September. I can state unequivocally that lots of bucks hang in a bachelor group there each summer, then all but the smaller ones move on to greener pastures.
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Post by wesb81219 on Jul 1, 2016 18:12:39 GMT -5
I don't have a target buck or doe or deer period. I got on to a new property put my cam out and hung my stand solely based on layout and habitat. The area I chose is at the end of a ravine that a brook runs through and meets a pond. It is also full of acorns and ridge lines with some thicker stuff east /southeast. I chose this spot as it fits the description of a ideal situation. Food, water and near by cover. After having my cam out for a month I only got 4 pictures or so. I know it takes work to find that spot but I truly thought they had to be using this area. Upon further scouting I have found areas where I know for sure they are using. I'm not giving up on this spot and don't think it's time to panic or change anything just yet but I'm more than likely losing this property due to the owners family wanting to sell. However my sense of urgency is great.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2016 13:14:08 GMT -5
I think many people make the mistake of thinking that the buck they've watched all summer will still be around during the early archery season before breeding kicks in. I kept tabs on a buck on a particular farm every year from the time he was 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 (4 years). I got tons of footage of him every summer until just after he shed his velvet, then he was gone. I had my answer when he was 4 1/2 years old and I let him pass 12 yards from my stand on October 2 -- A MILE AND A HALF FROM THE CAMERA. And that was only the second day of archery season, and does played no part in his movement, nor did food sources. What's funny is that I never considered at that moment that it was the same buck, as I never dreamed he'd travel that far in a non-rut situation. The next August, I got huge amounts of video of him on his usual summer farm, then after the first week of September, he once again dropped off the camera. I killed him on October 6 -- this time a little over a mile from the camera. Only then did I put two and two together and realize that it was the same buck that I'd let walk the year before. A comparison of the previous year's trail camera footage and the video when I let him walk confirmed my suspicion. That one harvest has changed the way I look at killing a mature buck. I used to think that they'd hang around the same property all the way up until the search for a hot doe pulled them away temporarily to other farms. I now realize that chances are good that a summer buck will be a mile or more away come October 1. These farms have lots of oak trees, water sources, and cover, and none have crop fields or human pressure, so there is no rhyme or reason as to why all the good bucks establish new ranges in mid to late September. I can state unequivocally that lots of bucks hang in a bachelor group there each summer, then all but the smaller ones move on to greener pastures. This is an old thread, but check out this acritical I posted last year: ecosystems.psu.edu/research/projects/deer/news/2015/the-life-and-times-of-buck-8917This details how far and how many miles a buck travels during the rut.
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46382
Full Member
Posts: 91
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Post by 46382 on Jul 5, 2016 21:15:35 GMT -5
Of course this also means that a big buck, that you've never seen or photographed, can come into your set up from a mile away ....
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 5, 2016 22:00:10 GMT -5
Yes it does.
I have 4 nice ones, and hope one of them shows up. The only bit of patterning that I'll do is see if the bucks are cutting through the bottom land and coming up the ravine or cutting across the field along the trees or just inside.
I wasn't thinking that I'd do much early hunting, but I don't think I can wait. Last year, they had me patterned, and would show up as I was at the end of the driveway.
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Post by sakorifle on Jul 6, 2016 5:22:53 GMT -5
greetings I am going to tell you exactly what i told my twin lads when i sat them down . Be careful boys because a woman will pull you as far as gunpowder will blow you. lol
Same goes for deer, Animals one has never seen before often turn up ,both bucks and does. At the moment im not bothered any buck will do, lol, they have disapeared on me its gone very quiet, rut is just around the corner all the signs are there. One this week so far. regards Billy.
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