Unread postby dan » Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:45 pm
Hunting rabbits, hoping for pheasants...
Lets take a closer look at my top 10 bow killed bucks (I did not include gun kills) and see what factors that lead up to the kill were consistent to what percent. What is interesting about these stats is the mature buck stats vary greatly from the stats of the "nice" middle age bucks I have taken (mature bucks used in this study are believed to be 4 years old or more) . This to me really shows the need to "hunt for mature bucks" in order to kill mature bucks consistently. Its like mature bucks are a whole different animal. Hunting for deer and expecting to kill a mature buck is like hunting rabbits hoping for pheasants.
Killed within 300 yards of bedding area - 10 (100%)
Killed within 100 yards of bedding area - 8 (80%)
Killed at a scrape where the intersection of two staging areas met - 4 (40%)
1st time ever sit - 4 (40%)
1st time that year (includes 1st ever sits) - 6 (60%)
2nd or 3rd sit - 2 (20%)
Shot in Sept, - 3 (30%)
Shot in Oct - 4 (40%)
Shot in Nov - 3 (30%)
Shot in the eve. - 9 (90%)
Shot in morning - 1 (10%)
calls used- 0
Scents used- 0
Was hunting the buck I shot - 8 (80%)
Hunted buck for 2 or more seasons - 3 (30%)
Within 200 yards of the road - 2 (20%)
Killed at a crop field or food plot - 0
I was a little surprised at the results of this too. It took me looking at each of the bucks and remembering where and how it was killed and writing down the answers... The reason I post this is for you to compare how these bucks got killed, and think about your approach, and to consider if your putting yourself in position for for nice bucks, or the giants...
I think at age 4 bucks really start to get smart. Especially on pressured properties. They learn to move short distances in safe areas in daylight, they learn where all the hunting spots are on the property, and how to avoid them. They pick bedding spots that watch you access or smell your approach. You either have to get real lucky, or make smart, well thought, precision moves.
When I look at the other deer I have shot below my top 10 (2 & 3 year olds mostly) You start to see the funnel stands pay off more that are hunted over and over, you see a lot more random kills of deer that just wandered past, you see deer shot over food, and you see a lot more rut kills.
Just like the bucks jump up in intelligence at a certain point, hunters can either get to the point of shooting "nice" 110 to 130 inch bucks every year and never excel, or they can start hunting a new and smarter animal and raise the bar. Now, don't take me wrong, there is nothing wrong with shooting 110 to 130 inch bucks, but if you want to occasionally take the occasional giant, you might want to hunt for giants.