Using record books to decide where to hunt.

[Dewey]

Wondering how many here use P & Y, B & C or state record books to decide where to hunt?

Personally I use the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club entry book to pinpoint certain areas that produce more trophies when hunting outside my home area. Like the saying goes "you can't kill them if they are not there". Some areas of WI are way better than others but trophies can be killed pretty much anywhere in the state.

Kinda surprised in the other poll that was going on how many here don't even enter their deer in the books. Makes me wonder how accurate the books really are now considering this.

[kenn1320]

Yes and no. I hunt KS cause its known for producing record book bucks, but I don't hunt the part of the state the produces the most entries. I think a lot of people do that and what was good last year might be over run this year.
On a similar thought, when my friend first went out of state, he used outfitters to find good hunting. No he didn't pay to hunt, he called up outfitters and acted interested in booking a hunt. He then asked for references of previous happy clients. He then called those clients and again acted interested and got them to describe the area they were hunting. He then went and knocked on doors in that area and obtained permission to hunt for free. That way of "scouting" can be good and bad. He said some outfits don't care about tomorrow and they will shoot every buck they can. He said those areas can be over hunted.

[dan]

I voted no... But I met a guy once who told me he studied the record book for guys in the countys he hunts in that had multiple big bucks and lived in the county. He would then look them up and find where they lived and try and get access to the surrounding farms / properties. Kinda makes a guy think twice about putting them in the books...

[Dor]

I voted no... But I met a guy once who told me he studied the record book for guys in the countys he hunts in that had multiple big bucks and lived in the county. He would then look them up and find where they lived and try and get access to the surrounding farms / properties. Kinda makes a guy think twice about putting them in the books...

yep

[Bucky]

I voted no... but I can tell you where Mark and Terry Drury's farms are and various other "Pro Staff" big names hunt. I think Dor mentioned it before, if I can get in the general vicinity it is a bonus. These guys are managing 1000s of acres and eventually bucks start to spill over onto surrounding properties. Then those guys start to get pickier and it is kind of a domino effect. It can take 10+ yrs for this to happen but I have personally seen it does happen.

[dan]

Guys surround Andraes farm waiting for one to step out...

[Dewey]

I voted no... But I met a guy once who told me he studied the record book for guys in the countys he hunts in that had multiple big bucks and lived in the county. He would then look them up and find where they lived and try and get access to the surrounding farms / properties. Kinda makes a guy think twice about putting them in the books...

Obviously this is not what I had in mind when I was referring to record books. Books like Buck & Bear Club records break everything down and gives average rack score entered for each county. This gives you a starting point and then you can apply some scouting to these areas.

[Bucky]

I voted no... But I met a guy once who told me he studied the record book for guys in the countys he hunts in that had multiple big bucks and lived in the county. He would then look them up and find where they lived and try and get access to the surrounding farms / properties. Kinda makes a guy think twice about putting them in the books...

Obviously this is not what I had in mind when I was referring to record books. Books like Buck & Bear Club records break everything down and gives average rack score entered for each county. This gives you a starting point and then you can apply some scouting to these areas.

Sorry to get off topic Dewey

[JRM6868]

Wondering how many here use P & Y, B & C or state record books to decide where to hunt?

Personally I use the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club entry book to pinpoint certain areas that produce more trophies when hunting outside my home area. Like the saying goes "you can't kill them if they are not there". Some areas of WI are way better than others but trophies can be killed pretty much anywhere in the state.

Kinda surprised in the other poll that was going on how many here don't even enter their deer in the books. Makes me wonder how accurate the books really are now considering this.

Your right the books are only as accurate as who lists their bucks. There's counties I know of that don't get 1/2 their kills listed in the books because of costs and the people don't care to get in the books.

Look at the populations for the counties also. Less populated mean less people and less money which in turn means less book entries alot of times the less populated counties are a little poorer and people don't spend the money on the entry fees. Less populated could also be because of cropfields which could give you an idea of food sources.

[PLB]

Wondering how many here use P & Y, B & C or state record books to decide where to hunt?

Personally I use the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club entry book to pinpoint certain areas that produce more trophies when hunting outside my home area. Like the saying goes "you can't kill them if they are not there". Some areas of WI are way better than others but trophies can be killed pretty much anywhere in the state.

Kinda surprised in the other poll that was going on how many here don't even enter their deer in the books. Makes me wonder how accurate the books really are now considering this.

Your right the books are only as accurate as who lists their bucks. There's counties I know of that don't get 1/2 their kills listed in the books because of costs and the people don't care to get in the books.

Look at the populations for the counties also. Less populated mean less people and less money which in turn means less book entries alot of times the less populated counties are a little poorer and people don't spend the money on the entry fees. Less populated could also be because of cropfields which could give you an idea of food sources.

I agree!!

[Spysar]

Use them some, but, that shows where the hotspot WAS. As you all know, things change, sometimes right before your eyes.

You need to be more cutting edge, and seek out the good spots first, before the masses know. Pike county Ill is an example. It's still good, but it's over for that spot. Who wants to go there now? And overpay, to go on overhunted ground?

Look for states that are trending with more deer, with better age structures. And states that people aren't talking about.

[BigHunt]

looking at record books dosent scout for you

[RaisedByWolves]

i voted no....When i look at public land or potential private peices i plan to hunt i usually look at deer density's and age structure. Like Spysar said you have to find out those honey holes before the masses and they are always changing

[kenn1320]

And states that people aren't talking about.

Hey Spy, nobody is talking about Michigan. I can take 1 guy hunting on 80acres of super farm country, wanna trade a hunt?

[wibowhntr]

I voted no. I hunt mostly public land or private land that is open to the public and I try to find the public land that borders land that is managed for bigger bucks.