Unread postby dan » Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:30 am
#1) Accept you don't get to the point of killing big bucks every year on pressured land overnight by watching a video or reading a book. It takes some time learning, and scouting. I can give all the info you can get to teach you how. But that only goes so far. You still need some time trying and failing to learn how to apply it and recognize it. The average guy starting beast tactics gets in his groove after about 3 years if he is a hard worker and good learner.
2) and this in more important than most give it credit. You have to want it... Really, really, want it... The highlight of my hunting career was in the 90's. when my skill level elevated to meet my youthful energy. I killed a lot of huge bucks in that 10 year span. The main reason was that I was always plotting, always thinking of my next move, and always searching for that over looked piece of the puzzle. I would literally have dreams at night about what to do next, or where to try next, wake up and write them down so I would see my notes in the morning and remember.
3) You need to believe in yourself. Trust your gut. Be willing to hunt crazy spots, or try new things. If what everyone else is doing works so good, how come very few of them kill big bucks year after year? Many of my biggest bucks came from spots no one else would be caught dead hunting.
4) Scout, Scout, hunt... 3X more hours spent scouting than hunting. If your not on a big buck, don't waste time in a tree. Go find one. Its hard enough to kill a giant buck when you know where he lives, having one come randomly thru your area in daylight is not likely. Of my top 10 bucks, every one of them was my target on the hunt I killed them on. There is nothing "consistent" about truly big bucks randomly walking past your stands.
5) Hunt mobile. Keep moving. Hunting the same spots over and over does not increase your odds with the true giants that have lived thru 5 or more seasons and have learned where all the hunter spots are. I was hunting mobile with hang-ons before anybody new what mobile was, using steel stands all taped up, hose over the chain, and silenced as much as possible way back in the late 70's early 80's. well before anybody even new mobile was a thing. Most people hunt the same spots over and over, but its generally a 1st time sit that results in the biggest buck of your life.
6) not all public, or private, lands are equal. Choose places where you know of a big buck, heard about a big buck, or have a reputation for big bucks. Check with the local DNR Biologists to find out which properties have the oldest age class ( if that sounds like to much work, refer back to #2) When I look at 10 different public properties, generally I only end up hunting 1 or 2 of them. Im looking for a place that has limited access, and hard to reach areas. If the area has high pressure, is near cities, and has high hunter density, I search for water. Thick swamps that are wet and have endless cover give giant bucks places where the orange army don't kill every buck before it reaches 5 or 6...
