Slash Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I've been told that you can tell when a buck is coming by certain things a doe will do. I've never been hunting and I haven't the slightest idea what it is to look for. In the next few months I would like to ask for advice from anybody willing to offer it so that I can make my first kill a big one. Any tips or bits of knowledge would be appreciated. Now, how do you know when a buck is coming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Run her down and ask her :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slash Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Run her down and ask her :D:D Ha Ha Ha You ARE a joker! What do I get if I catch her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Ha Ha Ha You ARE a joker! What do I get if I catch her? I already told you! you get to ask where the bucks are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Seriously Im not too sure she does anything special usually just runs or trots in during the rut is the only way I would think a buck would be behind her....You know then the rut is on when the buck kinda "prances" around behind her with his nose close to the ground....he will also stop and lip curl.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) Basically, one major thing you can look for is her looking over her shoulder or behind her...Does will do this when there are other deer coming up behind them consistently...another easy way to tell, is when a doe comes running by you at a thousand miles an hour...thats usually a good indicator that a buck is chasing her... Chances are, when you are on stand observing deer within range or not, watch what they are watching. If they are constantly looking to one area, there is a high probability that something is there...could be a doe, buck, turkey, or a person for that matter...but they will normally pick up on movement a lot quicker than we will...Keep your ears open and your senses keen...deer, especially bucks, can appear out of no where...they are smart, elusive critters for sure. Also, i hope you do get a giant as your first deer...but for now, i would just focus on getting deer in close, and starting the whole learning process...Its a lot of fun, and i hope you enjoy! Edited March 11, 2009 by layin on the smackdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 LMBO at KentuckyTurkey. One obvious clue is when a doe comes near your stand, stops and turns her head to check her back trail. That's a good indication something may be coming up behind her. Outside of rutting activity it could be any deer including her fawns. During the rut there's a good chance it will be a buck but there's no guarantee it will be a big one or just another skin head too. Also during the rut when a doe first comes into view with her neck stretched out in line with her head, which will be just a little lower than her shoulders indicates to me she's in a submissive posture. If this is the case many times it will mean a buck is not far at all behind her and he's probably been dogging her for some time. Again there's no guarantee it's a mature buck or a youngster either. Then there's times during the rut when you'll hear what sounds like 2 (or more) deer running around in no certain direction and for no reason other than there's a good chance it's a buck running a doe(s). Now during the rut a doe can pass by with no hint at all that something is following her and low and behold here comes a big one several minutes or up to an hour after she's gone with his head down nosing the exact trail she walked through on. Bottom line is...during the rut it can happen any time, especially whenever you see a doe moving through regardless of how she seems to be acting. If I see a doe coming my way during the rut I'm getting my weapon ready for action whether it's a bow or a firearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 most animals, including deer, will look where they know other animals are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brudaman340 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 All those tips are good ones. I havent been hunting for all that long, but im finally gettin a hang of it. Its been 4 years now and i find that bow hunting is alot more interesting than rifle hunting. That is just my opinion though because i have seen tons of deer during bow season and there alot more active here in ny during bow season. Another thing is, having that mind set that your first deer is gonna be a big buck is a good thing. I believed that and when i got a chance i shot a small doe:eek:. Your first deer does not have to be a big buck or a buck at all. It will be a memorable expierience and it will teach you alot. It takes alot of time and paying attention. I have 5 deer under my belt in 4 years and i also have 2 wounded bucks in one year with my bow and rifle. That is one bad feeling, but one of my best expieriences to make myself a better shot and hunter before i walk into the woods, not what i see on tv or read online. As long as you keep at it and enjoy every expierience even if it includes 6 hours in the woods without seeing a bird it will pay off. I have had days were i would see 20 deer and days i see nothing. Good luck in a wonderful sport and good eats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 This happened to me once....My cousins stand was known for having the biggest boy on the property killed for that year....well I was in his stand during the rut and I heard a couple grunts and what sounded like deer running sure enough popped out a doe into the field and I threw my gun up only for a lil 7'' spike to be running her around....he chased her all evening! If it were legal he'd been dead for teasing me like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYTnMUZZYboy Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 I agree with all of the above. Best thing to do is get out there and watch them. Just remember if you are getting in position to take a shot and you spook her... odds are your gonna spook him to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoythunter37 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Basically, one major thing you can look for is her looking over her shoulder or behind her...Does will do this when there are other deer coming up behind them consistently...another easy way to tell, is when a doe comes running by you at a thousand miles an hour...thats usually a good indicator that a buck is chasing her... Chances are, when you are on stand observing deer within range or not, watch what they are watching. If they are constantly looking to one area, there is a high probability that something is there...could be a doe, buck, turkey, or a person for that matter...but they will normally pick up on movement a lot quicker than we will...Keep your ears open and your senses keen...deer, especially bucks, can appear out of no where...they are smart, elusive critters for sure. Also, i hope you do get a giant as your first deer...but for now, i would just focus on getting deer in close, and starting the whole learning process...Its a lot of fun, and i hope you enjoy! Couldnt have said it better. Another thing is just to get used to being out watching them. After you have been in the woods a couple of times watching deer you will start to see certain things that they do when they are not on alert and relaxed. But those are some things to pay attention to. Dont get into the idea that hunting is all about shooting a monster. It would be awesome and I am all game about shooting big deer. But concentrate on getting deer close and making the shot. And then if you have the chance to shoot a monster that is awesome but if not dont get down its hunting. I have been doin it since I was 10 years old and had one chance at a good buck..... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Great advice so far, especially from Rhino. One thing that I'd add is does that are being run will often be panting and they will let out some weird estrous bleats. They sound like a real nasal, grunt, not as deep as a buck grunt. The rut is a magic week or two. Be in your stand in the first two weeks of November and you'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Watch the does as much as you can, sometimes you can tell when they are relaxed and they are watching something, you will just know something else is coming. Some good advice above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Good posts by all. During the peak of the rut, the biggest giveaway is when you see a doe trotting by with her tail lifted up, usually to the side. Sometimes she'll be doing a funny trot, and you can be sure she's ready to breed and big boy is not far behind. But..... all this being said, you'll be out much earlier than the rut with that martin of yours and you'll be seeing deer in that summer feeding pattern if your out early enough. This time of year, the deer are different animals. If you see one buck, hold on, cuz odds are there are more to follow in their little bachelor groups. The only 170" class buck i ever saw was when i shot a bix 6pt walking out under a white oak on tombigbee river. Little did i know as the bucks kept running, they got bigger and bigger, and the fourth was a moose. Hunt the early bow season and just learn to watch deer, and having a mentor is always a major plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 well if she keeps on looking back into the woods where she came from i always thought that it was a good indication that there were more deer back in the woods, and that if she isn't spooked that shortly after they too will be in sight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Great advice so far, especially from Rhino. One thing that I'd add is does that are being run will often be panting and they will let out some weird estrous bleats. They sound like a real nasal, grunt, not as deep as a buck grunt. The rut is a magic week or two. Be in your stand in the first two weeks of November and you'll see. That is about as close as your going to get in having some type of signal from a Doe that a Buck has influenced her. It could be any number of things that have caused it, like coyotes or spooked from another hunter, but if you've got a panting Doe eventually a Buck will be following her trail. Just look where thier looking, watch what thier watching, or kill them and increase your chances later of seeing a buck come in first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slash Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Excellent info guys, thanks a lot. It sounds like going out w/o my bow and just sitting in a stand for a couple hours, if not more, wouldn't hurt. For a couple of weeks maybe before the season starts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Not a bad idea at all, but your first to-do item is scouting anyway, looking for food sources, trails, etc. then you'll find the best spot for a stand, then of course you'll be doing a lot more than most of us if you actually sit in the stand before season actually opens. Watch some TV.....some things can actually be educational when it comes to deer hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Excellent info guys, thanks a lot. It sounds like going out w/o my bow and just sitting in a stand for a couple hours, if not more, wouldn't hurt. For a couple of weeks maybe before the season starts? Not a horrible idea if you're new to the sport, but not a real good idea because you are letting the deer know the season is on and you are educating them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Excellent info guys, thanks a lot. It sounds like going out w/o my bow and just sitting in a stand for a couple hours, if not more, wouldn't hurt. For a couple of weeks maybe before the season starts? Like Tominator said...you don't want to educate them right off the bat...let your neighbors do that.. Scout from a distance if you can, this will definitely help your early season odds. If you hunt evenings, go sit somewhere for the last hour of daylight that gives you good visibility of feeding areas from a distance...this will give you a good idea of where deer are going to and coming from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slash Posted March 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Ok, that all sounds good. Let's say I've done my scouting and I've seen a big buck (or a doe, I'm not going to assume I will see a buck) feeding around my stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzy1 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 As you put your time in the woods you will learn.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzy1 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 If you have done your scouting and put your stand where there is good deer sign,then you just need to go hunt and see what happens.Learn from what you see,you may have to adjust your stands.There are no FOR SURE tactics thats why its hunting no killing.I have been deer hunting 20 years and i still learn new things every year..they don't grow to be big by beeing stupid.Go hunt,have fun,learn and the big one will come ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Be ready to deal with :eek:BUCK FEVER:eek: even if it is a doe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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