How to catch a buck that shows up just after dark?

Unread postby **johndeere506** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:07 am

I have noticed that many on this site are very good at eventually connecting with the bucks they are after. I have a few (3-4) bucks that are 3 years old that Im hunting. Im getting trail cam pics of a couple of them 20 mins after dark. I hunted a stand about 50 yards closer to bedding from the cam and hoped they would show up early. They didnt show last night. I dont want to do that too many times since they will catch on quick. Do I wait a few days until the rut here in MI gets going, or are there tactics to use now that wont ruin my chances? Mixed swamps/bedding/mature wooded areas.
Thanks!

Unread postby **dan** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:09 am

Don't go in there setting and checking cameras, and wait for the right day to hunt... Once he smells you in that location its going to be a tough go at it.

Unread postby **whitetail_addict** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:20 am

Like Dan said, putting your camera in there and going in and out to check it on top of already hunting once might be the reason he's not coming out until just after dark; he may already be on to you.

That said, I personally wouldn't bank on waiting for the rut to get after him because by that time you'll likely be one step behind him, or worse yet, he might be gone for a while. This next week should be good for pre-rut action, i.e. bucks will still be on a pattern but from my experience I've noticed they will get up sooner and come back to bed later because they are spending time checking does and scrapes, waiting for the rut to kick off. This may be your best chance at him.

However, if you've pressured him enough already, none of that really applies and it may be too late. In that case, the rut is no for sure thing but you never know what you might see.

Unread postby **wibow** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:45 am

dan wrote:Don't go in there setting and checking cameras, and wait for the right day to hunt... Once he smells you in that location its going to be a tough go at it.

X2

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Unread postby **johndeere506** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 3:02 pm

Only 10 months for my update.

You guys gave me tips, I listened, I got him 1 week later. About 130", my best to date. Thanks for the help!

Unread postby **Jackson Marsh** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 3:13 pm

Awesome! Any pics? Story?

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Unread postby **Stanley** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 4:32 pm

Love to see some pics of the buck.

Unread postby **62kodiak** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 5:16 pm

Jackson Marsh wrote:Awesome! Any pics? Story?

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I second that.

Unread postby **dan** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:24 am

Unread postby **Swampbuck** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 5:23 am

Thats awesome!! But where's the pics???

Unread postby **johndeere506** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:27 pm

My harddrive died and we had to get it recovered so I finally got the pics back. Sorry, Im officially the worst at replying to my own thread... Ill do better in the future, lol.

Unread postby **PK_** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:40 pm

Holy crap man, congrats!

Give us the story and how you used the tips from this thread.

Great buck.

Unread postby **Jackson Marsh** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:45 pm

Congrats!

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Unread postby **purebowhunting** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:51 pm

Very nice, congrats. Like to hear the kill story if you don't mind sharing.

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Unread postby **johndeere506** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 3:02 pm

Its been a while, but the hunt was pretty simple. This was at my land at home. I checked my cams located in a funnel like swamp edge transtion, near some beds. Ive hunted this spot from a permanent ladder a few years, but wrong. I checked cards in the rain, to cover my scent and it showed the night prior he showed just before dark. I decided the next morning to hunt, since I knew he was nearby. I got in the stand late, wind wasnt what it should have been, sun in my eyes and forgot my hat, AND i blew out a small doe right by the stand. I was pissed at myself for so many errors, but decided to make the best of it. The little doe was acting funny (rut funny), so I broke a couple branches, grunted real hard and made some chasing grunts, thinking the big ones nearby may know shes ready and get defensive. This dude came in all fired up looking towards her as he walked past me. The wind was not safe for me, but not wrong enough to ruin the hunt. Shot him at maybe 35 yards, he piled up in 50-60 yards.

I learned:
The safest wind direction (for me) isnt always the best for big bucks
Dont give up even when you think you messed up
Sometimes be patient when checking cams and using intel
Ive also learned where he bedded, and how the big ones use this area every year
Being aggressive with calls can work, but best with a live decoy

It was rut action, and for sure some luck involved, but I now have found all the big buck beds nearby. Looking forward to a real beast kill this fall. Im so pumped already, and have found about 10-15 buck beds scouting, here public.
There is a reason Ive seen 5+ big bucks in this spot over 3 years

How to catch a buck that shows up just after dark?

How to catch a buck that shows up just after dark?

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