What contributes most to harvesting MONSTER BUCKS

[coues7]

Hopefully this isn't obvious question but what do people feel contributes most to harvesting monster bucks?

 

A few thoughts:

 

Lots and lots of scouting?

Being patient and not shooting the first thing with horns?

The area you hunt regardless of scouting?

 

My largest buck has been 87". I feel like a decent judge regarding antler size, and I've seen buck that in my opinion would go over 95". Many times I find myself feeling guilty being in the field for a week while my wife is at home with 3 kids, so I often find myself saying "I'm gonna take the first 3x3 (at least) I see". I've never had the time or money to be able to spend countless weekends in the field, but the areas I do hunt I feel like I know fairly well and have a good feel for where the deer will consistently be. I guess my biggest weakness has been not allowing myself to hunt the full hunt if that's what it takes.

[coueshunter]

First answer for many would be having a tag. Now that I said that, I decided to bow hunt last year so I dont use the "tag" excuse. Anyway, back to your question, I think the biggest contributor to shooting a big buck is TIME. If you can spend the valuable time scouting and during the hunt, this for me would contribute greatly to consistently killing big bucks. I have 2 kids and a wife so I really understand time constraints. Even checking my cameras and all the stuff before bow season takes alot of time away from the family. Anyway, Time, patience (passing on smaller bucks) going the "extra little bit" above what everyone else does would be the recipe for a big buck to me..........Allen Taylor.......

[JACK]

I would say Patients...being a little lucky never hurts either

[WOODSAZ]

I have 2 kids and a wife so I really understand time constraints. Even checking my cameras and all the stuff before bow season takes alot of time away from the family.

 

Im in the same boat as you guys. One thing I started doing this year is hauling the whole family out there. Its become kind of a family trip. The kids really get a kick out of seeing whats coming in on the cams and its an excuse to get them outside and away form the TV.

 

 

[firstcoueswas80]

I will let ya know when I shoot a big one what the secret was!

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, I am TERRIBLE at passing on deer! Take for example my December hunt... Shot one of the first good 3x3's I saw. Also, not rushing the shot is important too! Had a really really nice buck (105 +/-) in my scope last year.. Didnt get him becaise I didnt have a perfect shot.

[GameHauler]

I will let ya know when I shoot a big one what the secret was!

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, I am TERRIBLE at passing on deer! Take for example my December hunt... Shot one of the first good 3x3's I saw. Also, not rushing the shot is important too! Had a really really nice buck (105 +/-) in my scope last year.. Didnt get him becaise I didnt have a perfect shot.

 

Skull plates are pretty small on a Coues Casey

Maybe you should start shooting for the boiler room

 

I also have not held out for a larger bucks except for last year.

Oh and 2 years earlier when I passed a 90 +- because of the 100 +-

that just did not come all the way in the day before

I really feel other than luck, time spent scouting and hunting

play the biggest roll in harvesting a big buck.

 

Scheduled surgery today for Nov 6th and after recovery,

look out because the GameHauler will once again be the

BIG GameGetter

 

Time is coming for Amber to roll

[Switchback]

pure luck!!!!

[longshooter]

Ofcourse hunting in a area with the right genetics is the most important, I think it boils down to being in the right spot at the right time.

[scoutm]

Thomas Jefferson:

 

"I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more luck I have."

 

Coach Darrel Royal:

 

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

 

 

Seems like to be lucky (consistently) one must work hard so I would say - Scouting and practicing all the skills necessary to be successful - Glassing & Shooting is what it takes.

 

But then again my biggest buck was taken on my first ever WT hunt with open Iron sites. So like they say even a blind squirrel can find a few nuts.

 

 

 

 

[Snapshot]

Its probably a little different for everyone, but for me, I would choose the area I hunt.

 

Being that my unit of choice is so far away, I never seem to find the time to scout for individual deer, but I have hunted there for many years and know that there are big bucks in the spots I hunt.

 

Just have to put in the time behind the glass an on the boots, or get real lucky!

[COUESAZ]

Seeing one.

[June]

This is a smooth topic and sure to generate interest. I will just relay my honest opinion to the topic asked. It's the trail cam. It wasn't to long ago that you actually had to be in the field to scout your area. You would go up to a water hole and survey the tracks around it. You would normally have to guess how many deer were in there. Most importantly you would have to guess how big that buck was to leave such a big track or even if it was a buck and not some old doe. Then you would spend countless hours glassing and learning the area. But today is a little different. Today we have technology to assist us. We can place a cam here or there and actually see what is coming in. No more guessing or actually scouting. Makes it easier to sit for long hours in one place if you've seen something promising on your cam. I'm still behind the times, I have yet to use a cam. Been thinking about it. But I'm too old school and stubborn in my views on hunting, I guess. I have trouble sitting anywhere for long periods of time anyways. But if I knew a giant was coming in....Well, I might have to get someone to chain me to a tree.. Peace

[AZantlerhead]

Good points fellas, I'm no expert. But, I could write a book on what I THINK are Key factors to haveing a BBD, according to last years learning curve. Heres that book summed up, The most important stuff in my mind .

 

-Finding the CORE HOME RANGE (their Bedroom) for the group of big bucks in ANY given area is most important to me. This requires some foot work of course, reading and working the sign (Big Buck Sign). Then patterning the sign, where they bed during the days(usually a particular ridge/mountain, where they water at consistently ( Usually every day), Where they get their acorns( biggest food source in the fall ) this is usually close to the water source. Where they spend their nights(usually flats or large benches/saddles) bordering and encompassing where the does and little bucks hang (deer are social animals). Finding all established routes ( B-Lines & rub/scrape lines) that offer cover/browse while the bucks are moveing from location to location. All within their Core home range! Of course thier range gets bigger dureing the rut but this is key for the early seasons, as most Bucks spend 85% of their lives within a square mile or two, maybe even a 50-100 acre size home range. Like, Duh .

 

-Being in the field from Can't see too Can't see (dark 2 dark), Flashlights & Alarm clocks help with this. Effort, determination, persaverance etc. etc.

 

-Finding a way into your vantage point (pick this after scouting) of choice while disturbing the area as little as possible. This would mean useing the cover of darkness, not walking on game trails, Useing cover scent/ Controlling your scent, Entering as quiet as possible ( no motor vehicles alloud!). useing the cover to be invisible as possible while moveing in day light if you must. etc. etc.

 

- Locate a good glassing/shooting point that allows watching the most key locations within their home range, I.e water/food/beds blah blah blah. ( Mine is overlooking the water and acorns from 1-3 hundred yards and sitting IN their beds, glassing from there, If i miss them glassing they'll likely be on top of me )

 

- Watch the area ( core home range ) with relentlesness. YOU KNOW THEY ARE THERE, just a matter of time before they are in your glass and then in your sights (stalk closer if neccesary).

 

-Try to conquer your buck fever and make a good shot, If you miss, chamber another round and try to make the next one count, quick! Not an option with my muzzy this year, I'll have to do it in 1 well calculated shot, wich should be done with rifle anyway, oops..

 

-Finding a shed that proves good genetics in a herd doesn't hurt a bit, it's a dead giveaway of their core home range usually as well.

 

-Hmmm, a little prayer and a spit of luck.

 

Doing all this last year definately put me in the right place at the right time. 4 days of scouting while still hunting. Then three days of waiting/glassing the spot I KNEW the Big Boys would turn up. Pre-season scouting was not an option last or this year, but, this year I KNOW EXACTLY where to look for umm and should get it done before the last morning, this year, with any "luck". Even found another group of bruisers and honey hole as a back up plan. Opening morning as the sun comes up I will be in position and waiting, takeing more time this year to make sure I get the biggest in the group this time .

 

Just my 50. cents, worked last year anyway........Hope it pans out again. Confidence, I have never lacked. Probly a factor as well. BE THE BALL!!

 

Good "luck" everyone , and more importantly, Good HUNTING .

 

Allthough I havent ben on a rut hunt yet, I would guess that you would hunt the Mrs. Coues' and shoot their dillusional/lovesick/ boyfriends, holding out for the Big one to make a slip up, putting the survival of his genes before himself. But the Big ones have survived a few ruts of randomly glassing hunters so don't count on it, or count it out either, every buck has a bad day. Early season though, you will know Exactly where to find the MONSTERS, in their Hidey Holes of course

 

Haveing a game plan and sticking to it......................a good one.

[firstcoueswas80]

I will let ya know when I shoot a big one what the secret was!

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, I am TERRIBLE at passing on deer! Take for example my December hunt... Shot one of the first good 3x3's I saw. Also, not rushing the shot is important too! Had a really really nice buck (105 +/-) in my scope last year.. Didnt get him becaise I didnt have a perfect shot.

 

Skull plates are pretty small on a Coues Casey

Maybe you should start shooting for the boiler room

 

I also have not held out for a larger bucks except for last year.

Oh and 2 years earlier when I passed a 90 +- because of the 100 +-

that just did not come all the way in the day before

I really feel other than luck, time spent scouting and hunting

play the biggest roll in harvesting a big buck.

 

Scheduled surgery today for Nov 6th and after recovery,

look out because the GameHauler will once again be the

BIG GameGetter

 

Time is coming for Amber to roll

 

 

You must be taking your Ginko Biloba old man, because you remember MY hunts more than your own...

[AZantlerhead]

This is a smooth topic and sure to generate interest. I will just relay my honest opinion to the topic asked. It's the trail cam. It wasn't to long ago that you actually had to be in the field to scout your area. You would go up to a water hole and survey the tracks around it. You would normally have to guess how many deer were in there. Most importantly you would have to guess how big that buck was to leave such a big track or even if it was a buck and not some old doe. Then you would spend countless hours glassing and learning the area. But today is a little different. Today we have technology to assist us. We can place a cam here or there and actually see what is coming in. No more guessing or actually scouting. Makes it easier to sit for long hours in one place if you've seen something promising on your cam. I'm still behind the times, I have yet to use a cam. Been thinking about it. But I'm too old school and stubborn in my views on hunting, I guess. I have trouble sitting anywhere for long periods of time anyways. But if I knew a giant was coming in....Well, I might have to get someone to chain me to a tree.. Peace

 

I like your reply, I havent used cams yet either but would like to, would save the trouble of trying to judge umm just before shooting(of course tracks,beds,rubs and sheds can do that to a degree) Big Buck sign usually = Big Bucks. Actuall previous sightings would help too, allthough I can do without . And haveing photos of the buck you killed on the hoof throughout the year would just be cool, I'll "Tuff" it out without cams , for now.

Those cam pics are too cool, just for the pics!!

And now that you mention it, a chain on a tree and my ankle would be good for me too while glassing and waiting in the Holly grounds (bedrooms) of the Big ones

 

I like this thread.........