Tactic advice

[apache12]

So some of you may have read some of my post over the past three years about my efforts to learn how to bow hunt

In summary, I have been lucky enough to chase the same mule deer buck for the past three yeas. This being the third while I learn this sport

 

I need some advice

I pretty much always find him on the same sloping face under a north facing saddle. It's in open juniper country and he almost always has the wind at his back and he looks down hill. He has about ten does withhim every year

 

I haven't hunted him yet this year because I tagged on rifle but I have gone and found him three times this year in the past two weeks. I'm waiting for January

 

I've tried in years past to sit on my but and scoot slowly with my bow in my lap and after three hours the best I've made is 100 yards near him and then a magic door opened up and he vanished behind jumper. Usually his does bust me well before. I've belly crawled and leap frogged from bush to bush in every manner I can think. And have the prickley pear needles to prove it

 

Then I tried coming over the back with the wind at my back. I had scent wafers and sent spray on and he winds me asap and jams.

 

He isn't the best buck in the world but he is "my" buck. Old 3x3 white face and good wide tall mass. I am possessed with him

 

So I can't seem to stalk him. Should I get in an hour or more before dark and hide on the face I normal see him bed on. Or there is cut he travels up and over the saddle sometimes should I ambush there ?

 

I know there is no real answer but I keep doing the same thing and he beats me

I have huge respect for him. Almost don't want to kill him because I've watched him for so much and he has bested me so often that he has my true respect But he would be my first bow deer and it would be so cool to finally mount him on the wall to remember all the great hunts

 

My buddy said I should stay off to the north of him down hill in the flat and he could come over the top behind him where the wind blows into the buck and see if he kicks toward me

 

He is a mule deer should I rattle or call. I heard mule don't respond much to rattle

 

Sorry for the long txt. Any advice or tips would be fun to read. And oh, if anyone shoots my deer I will cry for weeks. Haha

 

Pic of him bedded with his girls and one of him moving up hill

[Becker]

Be "MORE" sneaky on your stalk 😎

[oz31p]

I would advance toward him bouncing from juniper to juniper until your in bow range but take your time. If he beds sit for a while. Once he starts to mill around be up but let him walk into your lane. Then kill him.

 

Just be cause a plan didn't work once doesn't mean you can do it again. There's a look of tumblers to fall into place. Most times a good stalk is ruined due to something outside of your control. Keep at it.

 

Consider a partner with a radio and you with an ear piece. This way he can keep you updated on what he's doing or if they are milling Ina diferant direction.

[218buck]

What about using a blind if you are seeing him in the same area over and over this might work for you

[wayno945]

Use one of the Montana doe decoys.

[kwp]

Like others have said, keep at it. Be patient in your stalk and let him make the mistake.

[cactus]

sounds like you've got the area figured out, wind etc. you didn't indicate wether you were trying to go uphill at him-that's REALLY hard! if the winds are somewhat predictable, crosswind is every bit as good as downwind. next time you go for him, try to memorize some really good landmarks- look all around the area and try to visualize how they'll look from a different angle so you can pick them up again. then go get him-most importantly, be patient and TRUST yourself. if he seems securely bedded, he'll still be there-BE PATIENT AND GLASS HARD- especially inside 100 yds! as soon as you let your guard down,he'll pop up from the same spot- i've made that mistake too many times, after a few hours of stalking/sitting.

 

+1 to what becker and kwp said

[JLW]

get into the 100yd mark and give a little buck grunt and see what happens. He may try and run you off. He may flee with his does or ?

 

James

[apache12]

Yea I'm almost always going up hill to him. If I come down hill e wind is at my back.

 

Anyone use those decoys? I thought they were mostly for antelope

 

I could set a blind but I'm afraid this late the smell will move him to a different place to bed and it will no good

[AverageJoe]

You said he travels through a saddle...that is where I would make my play. That is a natural ambush zone and if he is consistant with his travels sounds like it should be a win.

[oz31p]

I would I don't like calls or decoys because eventually you give away your position. Once you make a call and they don't see a Deer they normally wonder off

[jim]

Wait until you have bad weather that has a solid wind in 1 direction. Then go up wind to him. The wind will kill your noise and not flip direction as the weather is driving wind direction.

[cactus]

Sidehill/crosswind is what I would probably try if I was going to spot/stalk. Those junipers make a good hiding spot for the deer but they block out a whole lot of his field of view also. Good luck and post pics/story in jan.

[ThomC]

At some point he will get away from his body guards. If you are a weekend hunter it will be pure luck to get the right conditions. Stalking deer is a NBA skill. If you don't have it then ambush is the only way. But, it appears that you are having a lot of fun hunting. If you really want to kill him then off the back of a horse, mule will be the easiest.