What do you learn from seeing bucks you wouldn't shoot?

[jbone23]

Two instances come to mind but they were bucks I wanted to shoot but was too thick to shoot. One how extremely slow they move and how they choose the thickest cover possible to get from A to B. At least in flat land situations.

[mheichelbech]

Can't reply on just bucks, most of them die in front of me, but deer in general, I could add something too...
You know, if you want me to?

Sure thing....

[Jdw]

I have seen mature bucks traveling with younger bucks often enough that when I see a target Buck with a smaller buck I memorize the characteristics of the smaller buck so I will know to look for the mature buck when I see him.

[Dewey]

I have seen mature bucks traveling with younger bucks often enough that when I see a target Buck with a smaller buck I memorize the characteristics of the smaller buck so I will know to look for the mature buck when I see him.

Exactly. I have learned to pay attention to those younger bucks. Quite often they are bedding in satellite beds around mature buck primary beds. I believe mature bucks use them as a scout so to speak letting them get up and move first while they stay bedded and monitor the danger. I have seen this so many times especially on marsh islands. So many guys make a mistake shooting these young bucks coming from satellite beds and totally ruin the hunt for bucks in primary beds. If you pay very close attention to the young bucks you can tell there may be another buck coming behind them just by the way they act. Sure many times it's another young buck or antlerless deer but seen enough old bucks using them as decoys ahead of them. They hang back and are instantly gone if danger shows ahead from the young buck. One of the smartest bucks I ever hunted always teamed up with a younger buck always bedding in close proximity. Of course not all bucks will tolerate this as many are loners but it proved to me to always watch and learn the habits of young bucks. You never know what they may show you.