Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Discuss the science of figuring out our prey through good detective work.
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peteherbst
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Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby peteherbst » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:35 am

I know this question will have a bunch of different answers depending on your own area and likely has been addressed previously, but I can’t fine enough unique terms to search to find a good discussion.

Specifically on public land, what sign is good enough for you to KNOW there’s a big buck in the area?

Is it chest high rubs? Trail camera pictures? Fresh scrapes? Shining?

Obviously a combination of some if not all are great, but what’s good enough for you? I’m also curious as to how much Dan relies on shining as he mentions it quite a bit in his interviews.


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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby PK_ » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:54 am

Big tracks.
Big rubs.
Gut feeling.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby Edcyclopedia » Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:18 am

Tracks & pic
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby Tim H » Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:17 am

Big Tracks, High Rubs, Trail Cam pics. Scrapes are good but in my opinion don't tell the story much on the size of the buck. 1 1/2 YO bucks can make a lot of scrapes.

Best indicator for me is: Seeing the buck firsthand. :D
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby backstraps » Tue Feb 19, 2019 12:54 pm

If were to pick one thing it would be big tracks. BUT.... like NorthwoodsWiscoHnter setting eyes on the shooter would be good enough :)
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby Bonecrusher101 » Tue Feb 19, 2019 1:10 pm

backstraps wrote:If were to pick one thing it would be big tracks. BUT.... like NorthwoodsWiscoHnter setting eyes on the shooter would be good enough :)


X2! This is the time of year to find a decent buck that has survived the season. If you can find his hiding spot right now it's a good bet he will use it again late season next year if everything stays the same.

If you know where 5 or 6 of these are your chances of connecting next season will sky rocket!

I only know where 2 bucks are bedding right now. I have a lot of work to do if I can hope to connect next season.
Be original and Enjoy every step along the adventure.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby Dewey » Tue Feb 19, 2019 1:43 pm

Big tracks, big rubs, big beds, big droppings, big sheds. They all get my attention. Actually seeing the buck while hunting, glassing or shining is the best confirmation.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby Noreast10pt » Tue Feb 19, 2019 1:53 pm

Big tracks, big droppings, high rubs and of course actually seeing the buck that's been making all the above.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby rfickes87 » Tue Feb 19, 2019 2:43 pm

Finding an area while cyber scouting and thinking "wow".

Then you get out there on foot and find a bed or beds and go "wow"

Say "wow" twice and it's a big buck.

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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby peteherbst » Wed Feb 20, 2019 2:07 am

How many guys are shining? I’m going to try to do more this year but don’t necessarily know how to approach it with the swamps and remote areas I’m looking at on arials.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby bkraus » Wed Feb 20, 2019 3:45 am

I'd say this what works for me in past:

#1 shining at the right times
#2 spotting
#3 trail cams

these all kinda is mesh together to..
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby dan » Wed Feb 20, 2019 5:11 am

High rubs is number 1.... All bucks rub trees. There will be waste high or higher rubs if there are big bucks.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby DaveT1963 » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:09 am

Where I hunt the genetics and food are not that great so visual is the best option. Lots of medium racked bucks have big feet and drop nice sized poop. Rubs are nice, but with a 3 month gun season you have to confirm they are still alive. I let tracks, rubs, poop guide me and then cameras and glassing to confirm. I would do more glassing but with a 2 hour drive to most spots it just isn't as feasible as running cameras over mineral licks/licking branches. Also, we don't have the big ag crops to pull them close to the roads for glassing and shinning will get you a ticket pretty quick.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby bkraus » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:29 am

peteherbst wrote:How many guys are shining? I’m going to try to do more this year but don’t necessarily know how to approach it with the swamps and remote areas I’m looking at on arials.


I'm not an expert but, shine near by fields or open areas, if theres a big buck in the field. Then hunt the bedding in the remote areas or the swamps. Cut him off going to the field.
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Re: Big Buck Confirmation. What’s Good Enough For You?

Unread postby Crazinamatese » Wed Feb 20, 2019 12:52 pm

Finding large tracks so far has got me a few encounters with big bucks.
The cave you fear hides the treasure you seek!!!


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