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Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:34 am
by Singing Bridge
What's your experience with the big bucks you've chased using barriers and obstacles in their travels/feeding/bedding? What kind of obstacles were they and how did they use them? I'm always trying to recognize big buck behavior and actions.

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:49 am
by publiclandhunter
Scott,

For some reason (plain bad luck) the bucks I manage to hunt are always crossing waterways - big or small! I realized this some years ago and bought some cheap ultra-light packable hip-boots. I also started building an ultralight canoe at 25-pounds. Hopefully this helps me in the future!

Troy

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:42 pm
by Singing Bridge
Troy- I definitely want to see a picture of that canoe! 25 pounds, that is going to be one handy unit. Making it yourself is going to pretty satisfying, I suspect. 8-)

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:16 am
by publiclandhunter
Scott,

I wil post some updated pics of the project later this week. The outside is nearly done (needs expoxy and varnish) and the inside needs sanding , epoxy and fiberglass. Once that is done, then I will do a cane-weave seat and make a paddle. then.....look out island bucks! :lol: :lol:

PLH

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:41 am
by Spysar
I've heard of people making man made barriers to funnel the deer. Also seen where deer cross a wire fence where it is missing a wire or the wire is sagging. Also seen them crossing through missing parts of a stone wall where the rest of the stone wall was higher....

But I've also seen deer with big racks bust through spots you wouldn't think a squirrel could get through...

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:52 am
by magicman54494
This is kind of a long story but it pertains to obstacles and I learned from it so I'll share a condensed version of this story.
I picked up the track of one of the biggest tracked bucks I've ever seen in northern Wis. He came from his bedding area and headed past his sign post rub and on into the hardwoods. He turned a headed into one of the thickest - nastiest blowdowns you will ever come across. I was sure he must be bedded just inside and was on guard. I was wrong. He jumped, crawled, twisted and turned thru that jungle like it was nothing. After clearing that blowdown area he hooked up with a doe. Sparce snow ended up ruining my track job so he got away.
Two things that I learned from that encounter:
1. There is very little that will stop a buck when he decides he wants to go somewhere.
2. I'm going to assume that the buck must have smelled the doe and thats why he went thru the blowdown area. That buck traveled at least 250 yds before hooking up with the doe so If he smelled her he must have done it from at least 250 yds away!

Side note: his bed was the neatest bed you would ever find. He bedded on this little point overlooking a big valley. There was a deep cut stopping access from the east. The valley was north of him. South and west were the edge of this massive blowdown. He had to exit down hill to the north, clear a few fallen trees in the valley circle around the cut east of him then turn back up hill to get to the hardwoods to the south. Standing in his bed you soon realize there is no way to get close to this guy without him knowing it. He disappeared after that season. :cry:

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:01 am
by dan
Cool observations Magic... Taking up a mature bucks track and paying attention to the little details of what he is doing and why, is the best teacher any hunter will ever have...

Re: Barriers and Obstacles

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:12 pm
by Singing Bridge
Magic's description of that buck's bedding area and his use of barriers and obstacles leaves me shaking my head. Their ability to blow through unbelievably thick cover is one of their finest traits.