patterning big bucks

[Aaronlaw777]

I recently put up a trail cam with some lucky buck. After two weeks, i checked my camera and i liked what i seen. So i know their there. Now my question...anyone have any tips to keeping the big bucks there all summer, and getting them killed this September (ky season). I know they aren't very tolerant of people and scent here.

Thanks! -Aaron

[dbHunterNY]

keeping them there depends on the their habits, but in september they're still usually on their summer range and haven't wondered yet if they're going to. try to go in there as little as possible and when you do leave as minimal scent behind as you can. make sure they've got cover, primary food, and browse all there.

[whitetailfreak55]

Yep try and check your cameras or hang stands right before a rain. It'll help control scent. Also if its your land try and put a small food plot. That will help hold them

[Rhino]

The best way is a food source like a summer food plot that will last through September. It's probably too late to plant one now though. A mineral lick will sure help too. Limit the amount of times you check your trail cam, try to do it during midday hours, and be as scent free as possible.

With that said it's difficult to pattern & kill a specific mature buck. It can be done though. Mature bucks tend to become a lot more nocturnal right after velvet shedding. Last year was one of the few times I have successfully patterned and killed a specific mature buck I knew off after finding him during the summer months. It wasn't until the 2nd season after learning his pattern the 1st season but he used the pattern both years. I saw him once the 1st year right at dark. Got pics of him through an area that 1st year though that put him as far as 3/4 of a mile from where he spent most of the summer. I killed him a little over a 1/2 mile from where he spent most the summer on Nov. 4th this past season. If you don't kill him in September, keep trying to figure out his fall & winter pattern. That way if he survives this year you'll be better prepared to hunt him next year. Not all bucks are the same but many will hang to a survival pattern that works for them unless they are forced into a new pattern.

[hoosierhunter]

patterning big bucks

Pay attention to weather conditions when you get the pics after they shed the velvet. I E wind direction, which direction they enter and exit the pic from, time. It really does no good to pattern the deer until they get on their fall schedule. For example I killed a buck 3 miles away from his summer pics.

[Ravin R10 man]

I was thinking just what Hoosier said...he may just be in his summer range now, once they shed velvet, Ive seen the mature bucks move right out..hopefully his core area is on your hunting land, or overlaps it

[Stinger-Hunter]

If it is hot, keep the water available. That is definitely something you can do and works just as good as a food plot... at least for the summer.

It will be HOT this summer and they will need water. However, they will be moving during the afternoon sun to get water, too. So if you check your trail cameras next to a watering hole, do so with caution.

Watering hole: Dig a 6 foot wide hole, about 2-3 feet deep, wait for it to rain.

If you can fill it with water somehow, do it. I know a few people that keep a long hose out to their watering hole and it keeps the bucks coming in. However, some of their places are only a few hundred yards out. Your situation may be different.

For this reason, I'd love to have a truck filled with water and refill that baby every couple days.

[Stinger-Hunter]

Even if you can't create a hole, find where the water is and place some cameras near the water. At least you can find out what direction they are coming in from and backtrail to their bedding area. That is half the battle, right there.