stikman wrote: Thank you. I've had my week of hunting be unsuccessful with my new Beast style of hunting. However, I've learned more this week from sneaking into my positions and hunting marginally good winds. I consider my 40 hours of vacation burned worth every second in the marsh. I can't wait for opening week next year. As for now it's back to work and weekends only.
yep, you have learned a lot and next year will be even better. with that being said, I want to tell you that hunting weekends from here on out is a challenge faced by many. also, i've shot a number of bucks near their beds even during the vaunted weeks of late october through november. if there is any amount of hunting pressure in your areas, you will be surprised at how well bucks maintain bedding until it is nearly dark. as always, the trick is knowing "when" that bed is being used by the buck- this is determined through past experiences / fresh buck sign appearing near the bed (i don't mean I'm looking within a hundred yards of the bed, but rubs / scrapes / oversized tracks appearing nearby), through the bucks appearance on trailcams in the area, etc.
if you are in an area with a lot of pressure, the bottom line is very basic and easily comprehended- the bucks that move during the daytime outside of their security zone get shot at or killed... it really is that simple. after the opener i still target overlooked and remote areas to find some decent bucks for my areas.