In a previous post, I briefly discussed utilization of handheld
GPS,GPS software and associated aerial photo's and topographic maps to
determine good deer hunting areas.
In this post I would like to discuss deer vocalizations,specific
sounds that signify territorial infringement,interpreting buck sign in
your hunting area and using all of the above to draw in that buck of
your dreams.
Buck to doe ratio, how important is it?
Well it can be significantly important, but at the same time it can be
totally irrelivant if you have done your homework in the area you
intend to hunt.
Sounds contradicitve to everything you have heard before doesn't it!
I know, we are supposed to look for those areas where there is a
concentration of bucks for deer vocalizations to be effective right?
Well I am here to tell you that this is not the only way.I will explain!
Let's suppose you have done your field scouting, marked buck rub and
scrape locations on your GPS(waypoints), then downloaded that data to
your desktop P.C.. After carefull review of those waypoints relative
to the topographic and aerial data you determine you have what I call
a "flurry area". This is a location of a concentration of rubs and
territorial scrapes* found adjacent to heavy groundcover, thickets,
cut-overs, whatever you want to call them.
*Territorial scrapes are differant from breeding scrapes. As the name
implies, they are to mark territory. Sometimes even mis-interpreted as
scrapes made by immature or subordinate bucks who are feeling the
pains of love!
"Flurry areas" my friends, is big buck turf and it is exactly what we
are looking for! Doesn't matter if you havn't seen him.Doesn't matter
what the buck to doe ratio is if we are carefull in determining doe
travel areas as related to this "flurry area". Be sure to stay out of
the heavy cover and be very,very quiet.
Stand location -
With the doe travel routes determined relevant to the buck "flurry
area" determine your treestand locations for a downwind set-up. Mark
that location or locations on your GPS(you can also do some of this in
advance on your Expert GPS software by marking a waypoint
or waypoints for the suspected treestand location's and uploading
to the GPS). Once you have selected your treestand site or sites
apply reflective tape in close proximity if a daytime spot
(most of mine are all-day spots).
The day of the hunt -
1)Be totally scent free.I do not own any of the newer Scent Blocker
type clothes, I don't feel it is neseccary if you follow this
regimen-bathe with scent free soap, use scent free deoderant. Do not
smoke(if you are a smoker), do not put on your hunting boots until you
are ready to travel to your stand site and carry your outer garments
on or in your backpack to reduce sweating contamination. Spray down
your outer clothing, boots/soles,gloves,hands,backpack and hair with
scent killing spray. Carry a small bottle in your backpack for
touch-up at your stand.
2)Important!!!, If this is an a.m. or all day site, get to your
treestand at least 1.5-2 hours before daylight. Yes, that's what I
said, 1.5-2 hrs..The reason is that a mature buck will be in that home
cover 45min. to 1 hour before "pinklight"(just before sunrise).
Be extremely quiet while getting your gear ready at the treestand
location. If using a climbing stand be very,very quiet.Remember your
safety belt.
Calling -
I carry the following in my backpack:
1)M.A.D. buck growl(yes it works!and is quite loud if needed)
2)Small rattle bag(I use the Knight and Hale plastic sticks-my sound
prefferance)
3)Primos "Can" doe bleat
I generally sit on stand until and hour or so after sunrise before
starting my calling sequence.Calling will draw that big buck out and
make him think another buck or bucks are getting in on the love
action.His testosterone will be his undoing! Calling sporadically
throughout the day will eventually catch him "at-home".
Since I am hunting a "flurry area", I do the following:
1)Start with the "can" doe bleat, use several full bleats.
Stop and wait 5-10 minutes, more or less is acceptable.
2)Use the Buck growl call with cupped hands(as demonstrated in video
that accompanies the call)and do 2-3 growls. Wait about 5 minutes.
3)Pull out the rattle bag and start slow with a series of rattling
clicks(to simulate antlers just touching),then really slam them for
maximum volume, do this rattle sequence for 15-30 seconds.
Wait about 30 minutes and be very observant without excess head/body
movement. If no deer activity, repeat steps 1-3, but alternate the
following for step #2. Perform a gutteral buck grunt, this is
simulated by puffing on the growl call slowly and with minimum air
pressure to produce a "popping" sound.This sound is one killer piece
of information! I have drawn in at least five big bucks over the last
4 years on that sound alone.
If a big shooter shows up but fails to commit within range, use the
gutteral sound as mentioned above, but be carefull as overcalling may
cause him to high-tail-it or he might even come running in. The latter
has been my experience. If bow hunting, be aware that a big buck will
pinpoint the exact location of any and all calling sounds within +/-
10 ft. of your stand location, their ears are that good.
If it is extremely windy the day of your hunt, you may have to be
quite loud and aggressive in your calling, but always wait the
required time periods and be observant!
Don't be too concerned if you get no action before the end of your
hunt. When you get down from your stand, try to do so after dark and
again be very quiet. If you plan to return to this stand the next day,
follow the same de-scenting practices or if the wind is wrong, select
a new stand site.
I know other hunters might have a differant approach than my methods, but I do know that this system works and it works quite well.
GPS,GPS software and associated aerial photo's and topographic maps to
determine good deer hunting areas.
In this post I would like to discuss deer vocalizations,specific
sounds that signify territorial infringement,interpreting buck sign in
your hunting area and using all of the above to draw in that buck of
your dreams.
Buck to doe ratio, how important is it?
Well it can be significantly important, but at the same time it can be
totally irrelivant if you have done your homework in the area you
intend to hunt.
Sounds contradicitve to everything you have heard before doesn't it!
I know, we are supposed to look for those areas where there is a
concentration of bucks for deer vocalizations to be effective right?
Well I am here to tell you that this is not the only way.I will explain!
Let's suppose you have done your field scouting, marked buck rub and
scrape locations on your GPS(waypoints), then downloaded that data to
your desktop P.C.. After carefull review of those waypoints relative
to the topographic and aerial data you determine you have what I call
a "flurry area". This is a location of a concentration of rubs and
territorial scrapes* found adjacent to heavy groundcover, thickets,
cut-overs, whatever you want to call them.
*Territorial scrapes are differant from breeding scrapes. As the name
implies, they are to mark territory. Sometimes even mis-interpreted as
scrapes made by immature or subordinate bucks who are feeling the
pains of love!
"Flurry areas" my friends, is big buck turf and it is exactly what we
are looking for! Doesn't matter if you havn't seen him.Doesn't matter
what the buck to doe ratio is if we are carefull in determining doe
travel areas as related to this "flurry area". Be sure to stay out of
the heavy cover and be very,very quiet.
Stand location -
With the doe travel routes determined relevant to the buck "flurry
area" determine your treestand locations for a downwind set-up. Mark
that location or locations on your GPS(you can also do some of this in
advance on your Expert GPS software by marking a waypoint
or waypoints for the suspected treestand location's and uploading
to the GPS). Once you have selected your treestand site or sites
apply reflective tape in close proximity if a daytime spot
(most of mine are all-day spots).
The day of the hunt -
1)Be totally scent free.I do not own any of the newer Scent Blocker
type clothes, I don't feel it is neseccary if you follow this
regimen-bathe with scent free soap, use scent free deoderant. Do not
smoke(if you are a smoker), do not put on your hunting boots until you
are ready to travel to your stand site and carry your outer garments
on or in your backpack to reduce sweating contamination. Spray down
your outer clothing, boots/soles,gloves,hands,backpack and hair with
scent killing spray. Carry a small bottle in your backpack for
touch-up at your stand.
2)Important!!!, If this is an a.m. or all day site, get to your
treestand at least 1.5-2 hours before daylight. Yes, that's what I
said, 1.5-2 hrs..The reason is that a mature buck will be in that home
cover 45min. to 1 hour before "pinklight"(just before sunrise).
Be extremely quiet while getting your gear ready at the treestand
location. If using a climbing stand be very,very quiet.Remember your
safety belt.
Calling -
I carry the following in my backpack:
1)M.A.D. buck growl(yes it works!and is quite loud if needed)
2)Small rattle bag(I use the Knight and Hale plastic sticks-my sound
prefferance)
3)Primos "Can" doe bleat
I generally sit on stand until and hour or so after sunrise before
starting my calling sequence.Calling will draw that big buck out and
make him think another buck or bucks are getting in on the love
action.His testosterone will be his undoing! Calling sporadically
throughout the day will eventually catch him "at-home".
Since I am hunting a "flurry area", I do the following:
1)Start with the "can" doe bleat, use several full bleats.
Stop and wait 5-10 minutes, more or less is acceptable.
2)Use the Buck growl call with cupped hands(as demonstrated in video
that accompanies the call)and do 2-3 growls. Wait about 5 minutes.
3)Pull out the rattle bag and start slow with a series of rattling
clicks(to simulate antlers just touching),then really slam them for
maximum volume, do this rattle sequence for 15-30 seconds.
Wait about 30 minutes and be very observant without excess head/body
movement. If no deer activity, repeat steps 1-3, but alternate the
following for step #2. Perform a gutteral buck grunt, this is
simulated by puffing on the growl call slowly and with minimum air
pressure to produce a "popping" sound.This sound is one killer piece
of information! I have drawn in at least five big bucks over the last
4 years on that sound alone.
If a big shooter shows up but fails to commit within range, use the
gutteral sound as mentioned above, but be carefull as overcalling may
cause him to high-tail-it or he might even come running in. The latter
has been my experience. If bow hunting, be aware that a big buck will
pinpoint the exact location of any and all calling sounds within +/-
10 ft. of your stand location, their ears are that good.
If it is extremely windy the day of your hunt, you may have to be
quite loud and aggressive in your calling, but always wait the
required time periods and be observant!
Don't be too concerned if you get no action before the end of your
hunt. When you get down from your stand, try to do so after dark and
again be very quiet. If you plan to return to this stand the next day,
follow the same de-scenting practices or if the wind is wrong, select
a new stand site.
I know other hunters might have a differant approach than my methods, but I do know that this system works and it works quite well.
