“Lockdown” phase and Barriers

[huntinsonovagun]

I was listening to a recent THP podcast and they were discussing mature bucks pushing a doe they’re tending against a barrier, with wind blowing to the barrier. Example- they said a buck would push a doe to a lake with their winding blowing over the lake, presumably to keep other rivals from getting down wind and causing problems. In higher-density areas, I have seen something similar, but wondering what you guys have seen. I’ve seen them along brushy fencerows, along a creek, etc. I’m thinking this could really make a buck vulnerable during that ~Nov 13-20th if a guy just still hunted the edge of a lake, maybe the top side of a buff(?), along a highway, river, etc.

I guess the question is, have you seen this, used the tactic, or have any examples? That time frame seems to be really hit or miss for most and I’m thinking it could be a great time to get out and make something happen. Their conversation just really got me thinking that there may be a better way to hunt at that time of the year...

[Crazinamatese]

I had a doe locked down near one if my set ups by a mature buck this season in the first week of November. First time I ever witnessed it. The buck pushed the doe into a small marshy clearing surrounded by hardwoods.

The marshy section was about 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. The doe hid in the marsh for about 6 hours standing motionless the whole time as the buck stood about 20 yards away on the edge watching over her.

Interesting thing is the doe never bedded probably because she was standing in muck all day.??. She kept lifting her tail every 10 minutes.

Several small bucks showed up and the mature buck would bull charge at them and chased them out but he would return and stand in the same spot which made getting shot on him difficult.

I wish I had a video camera to capture the whole event.

Toward dark that day I think she had enough of standing in the muck and entered the high ground to feed on acorns within yards from me. The buck came in and circled her right back into the marsh.

They both came downwind of me and my scent didn’t seem to bother him until later when the doe tried to slip out of the marsh a second time. The buck was in perfect position and got into my scent stream and was very hesistant but he didn’t want to leave the doe. I put an arrow in him but never recoved him.

There really wasnt a barrier that kept that doe pinned in that marsh. It seemed like the buck wanted her in there because of the security cover.

My assumption is that the doe was dog tired and really didn’t want to run off because she did have alot of room to escape but decided not to.

Thats my one and only experience so far with witnessing lockdown phase.

[backstraps]

I was listening to a recent THP podcast and they were discussing mature bucks pushing a doe they’re tending against a barrier, with wind blowing to the barrier. Example- they said a buck would push a doe to a lake with their winding blowing over the lake, presumably to keep other rivals from getting down wind and causing problems. In higher-density areas, I have seen something similar, but wondering what you guys have seen. I’ve seen them along brushy fencerows, along a creek, etc. I’m thinking this could really make a buck vulnerable during that ~Nov 13-20th if a guy just still hunted the edge of a lake, maybe the top side of a buff(?), along a highway, river, etc.

I guess the question is, have you seen this, used the tactic, or have any examples? That time frame seems to be really hit or miss for most and I’m thinking it could be a great time to get out and make something happen. Their conversation just really got me thinking that there may be a better way to hunt at that time of the year...

I witnessed this the last three years. Fortunately is was on the same property. The bucks were locked down with does within the same 2 days time period too.

Last year, I spotted a buck locked down with a doe in an area that resulted in my best friend stalking up to a dandy 8pt and shooting him when I grunted him up on his feet.

This season had me me going into an area under the weather and wind conditions needed to access another lockdown area I located 2 years ago. I killed a 5.5 year old buck I have been after last couple years.
One more example.... this season I watched a 4.5 year old keep a doe "penned" in a lockdown area....same 2 day time period as last year. He got a pass from me this year. If my daughter doesnt tag him before season ends, then you can bet where I will be during lockdown stage 2020!!

[huntinsonovagun]

I was listening to a recent THP podcast and they were discussing mature bucks pushing a doe they’re tending against a barrier, with wind blowing to the barrier. Example- they said a buck would push a doe to a lake with their winding blowing over the lake, presumably to keep other rivals from getting down wind and causing problems. In higher-density areas, I have seen something similar, but wondering what you guys have seen. I’ve seen them along brushy fencerows, along a creek, etc. I’m thinking this could really make a buck vulnerable during that ~Nov 13-20th if a guy just still hunted the edge of a lake, maybe the top side of a buff(?), along a highway, river, etc.

I guess the question is, have you seen this, used the tactic, or have any examples? That time frame seems to be really hit or miss for most and I’m thinking it could be a great time to get out and make something happen. Their conversation just really got me thinking that there may be a better way to hunt at that time of the year...

I witnessed this the last three years. Fortunately is was on the same property. The bucks were locked down with does within the same 2 days time period too.

Last year, I spotted a buck locked down with a doe in an area that resulted in my best friend stalking up to a dandy 8pt and shooting him when I grunted him up on his feet.

This season had me me going into an area under the weather and wind conditions needed to access another lockdown area I located 2 years ago. I killed a 5.5 year old buck I have been after last couple years.
One more example.... this season I watched a 4.5 year old keep a doe "penned" in a lockdown area....same 2 day time period as last year. He got a pass from me this year. If my daughter doesnt tag him before season ends, then you can bet where I will be during lockdown stage 2020!!

Very interesting! Can you describe the features of these “repeat” lockdown areas? Does the area but up to an “unapproachable” terrain feature or anything?

[backstraps]

I was listening to a recent THP podcast and they were discussing mature bucks pushing a doe they’re tending against a barrier, with wind blowing to the barrier. Example- they said a buck would push a doe to a lake with their winding blowing over the lake, presumably to keep other rivals from getting down wind and causing problems. In higher-density areas, I have seen something similar, but wondering what you guys have seen. I’ve seen them along brushy fencerows, along a creek, etc. I’m thinking this could really make a buck vulnerable during that ~Nov 13-20th if a guy just still hunted the edge of a lake, maybe the top side of a buff(?), along a highway, river, etc.

I guess the question is, have you seen this, used the tactic, or have any examples? That time frame seems to be really hit or miss for most and I’m thinking it could be a great time to get out and make something happen. Their conversation just really got me thinking that there may be a better way to hunt at that time of the year...

I witnessed this the last three years. Fortunately is was on the same property. The bucks were locked down with does within the same 2 days time period too.

Last year, I spotted a buck locked down with a doe in an area that resulted in my best friend stalking up to a dandy 8pt and shooting him when I grunted him up on his feet.

This season had me me going into an area under the weather and wind conditions needed to access another lockdown area I located 2 years ago. I killed a 5.5 year old buck I have been after last couple years.
One more example.... this season I watched a 4.5 year old keep a doe "penned" in a lockdown area....same 2 day time period as last year. He got a pass from me this year. If my daughter doesnt tag him before season ends, then you can bet where I will be during lockdown stage 2020!!

Very interesting! Can you describe the features of these “repeat” lockdown areas? Does the area but up to an “unapproachable” terrain feature or anything?

All three of the examples I gave are literally on the "edge"

They each have their own characteristics, and similarities. They all are along hard transition lines.

Two are on the edges of small woodlots meeting up against very hard thick transition of crp.

The other is inside a woodlot, that has a transition of thick cedars, as well as along this transition, dead pine trees laying all along the transition between the cedars and open woodlot.

SO , that being said, if you have ever looking into farmland bedding, the bucks like to bed on edges with the thickets, overgrown fences, small wood lots etc to the back, facing into the openings and the wind coming from behind them.

ALL three of these lockdown examples I listed are almost in that fashion. One thing different though, the buck likes to keep his does somewhat "penned up" inside the thick stuff.

As far as an unapproachable features... my examples arent high wall edges, river edges etc, but more so, all thick stuff! A predator isnt coming through it to get to him without him knowing it well in advance.

I hope that makes sense.

[huntinsonovagun]

Sure does! Did the bucks seem to ouch the doe to the downwind side of the wood lots? Or did you see any particular pattern in that regard?

[backstraps]

The buck and doe were actually facing into the wood lot and bedded just inside the thick pines and cedar and briar thicket

The examples where the wood lots transitioned with the crp.... the woodlots are overgrown with thick undergrowth and briars...by the time lockdown rolled around the crp was beat down by frost. So the buck had the doe pushed just inside the woodlot on a small elevated rise into a huge fallen tree. He had the wind at his back and watching into the crp