Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

[neumanns]

I know this proabably belongs on a hunting site but this is one of the few places I hang out, Besides it has nothing to do with boats.<br /><br />I have always done my hunting by setting up in likley spots and it worked with rifle. I have been in lots of promising situations with my bow and was happy to continue this way Untill!!!<br /><br />The other day I encountered a Quality buck and he did not come into range. I want him in the worst way and archery lasts until December 31 however Rifle opens on Nov 8. and I do not have permision to hunt rifle on this property. Therefor I would like to give this old fellow a run for his money between now and then.<br /><br />Tonight I went and picked up a ratteling bag and some eusterus scent. (I Have a call) I am ready to change my game plan. The rut is definatly starting to gain some speed around here as the scrapes are getting worked harder. The bucks have started moving more but I have not seen them Running does yet although they are likley starting to.<br /><br />So what I'm wondering is do any of you use these tactics and if so have you found them helpful. Also any tips would be appriciated.<br /><br />P.S. This buck is proably 18-19" inside spread with at least 10" brow tines. I could not determine Mass or point count due to loss of light but any buck with a spread outside his ears and brows like that would be a real Gem to take with my recurve, regardless of the other paramiters. I Want Him!!!!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Could you not trick him with that Moose outfit they had on here the other day? <br /><br />Just make sure to get the zipper loose.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Make sure your in the front

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Unless the rut has started in MN I wouldn't try the estrous scent yet. Even rattling (unless you just make ticking noises) may spook this buck. Probably the best bet is to find where he beds and feeds and set up on his travel route. Watch your scent and the wind direction carefully, if it isn't in your face, don't hunt that stand. Around here, the bucks are just starting to separate from their bachelor groups and are starting to rub and scrape. Good luck, hope you stick him!!

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Oh yeah one more thing, some light grunting (trying to imitate an immature buck) may bring him in to investigate the "intruder" in his territory. They usually will try to circle around you and try to wind you, so keep an eye behind you also.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Thats where the moose outfit comes in handy

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Yep, just brace yourself for the impact!!

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Things are much different here in Indiana. The bucks are heavy into the pre-rut. I am finding more rubs this year than normal. I have had sporadic success with rattling there neumanns. Seems to work the best around here about 1 or 2 weeks before the peak rut. I have had a lot of success hunting rub lines. If you can find a travel route that this particular buck is using, (look for his rubs), then find the weak spot, like a saddle, or a funnel that constricts the deer movement, then that is where I would set up. Nothing gets me more excited then finding many large rubs in a "funnel" area. A buck the size that you describe should leave many large rubs. Also, remember the weather conditions, time of day, direction of travel, ect. from the first time you saw him. That could help you piece the puzzle together.<br /><br />For me, when it comes to the rut, I seek out areas where there are many large rubs. That may seem over simplified, but think about it. Most likely, if you find many large rubs in a concentrated area, that means that buck frequents that area often. This thinking has served me well for the past 20 or so years that I have bowhunted.<br /><br />Sorry, I get a little long-winded talking about whitetails. Now you got me even more fired-up than usual.<br /><br />Good luck Neumanns, hope you get a crack at him.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Neumanns, Your first order of business would be scent control. That would be your scent, when your stomping around a big mature bucks hangout you leave scent every you step especially if you don't wear rubber boots. High rubber boats are the best for not leaving scent. Also everything you touch with your hands will have your scent.<br /><br />I learned this the hard way one year when I was after a huge buck. I observed him from a distance the day before. The next day I went over to where He was hanging out and got up in the tree a full hour before light,, I had it made I thought. Well here he came walking nice and steady, all of the sudden he stops, Backs up a few steps and walks away at a fast pace. He came across where I had crossed the trail and left my scent. A smaller buck came through 10 minutes later and he could have cared less he just stopped for a minute and came right in.<br /><br />Covering your scent is the key to bagging a huge buck at close range. Hunt from a tree at least 10 to 12 feet up and wear scentlok type camo.<br /><br />The buck are in the rut here right now. I like to leave a trail of doe scent into my stand and then hang some near the stand. I have had some luck with the grunt tube but not much with rattling over the years.<br /><br />And the other main factor is a bit of luck <br /><br />Wish me luck tomorrow I hope to bag one. <br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[wikelam]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

I have been bow hunting for about 15 years now. I have only gotten four or five shots at big deer. the ones in the 170+ class. those are rare in OK. only taken 2 of these. these animals do not get that big by being stupid. it is extremely hard to call, rattle a big one in. it can be done though. I have noticed that most all big deer will come to investigate calling and rattling while they are in rut. but mostly they will only get to about 100+ yards. this is close enuff for them to tell if you are a doe in heat. with a bow, you will most likely never see them or never get a shot. but with a rifle he makes one mistake and you can bag him. that is why i do not rifle hunt any more. it is WAY to easy, pull a trigger, kill a deer. i like the bow and primitive arms (black powders, not the inlines with scopes, i mean the daniel boone style). I also took up a recurve this year, now thats a challenge. <br /><br />it can be done. Make sure you go scent free, check the wind. it just takes time. your range would be about 25 yards max i would assume. mine is 17 with my recurve.<br /><br />I just missed another 180+ class buck, he only had about 18" spread, but the tines were perfect and about 12-13 inches long. drew on him and another smaller buck spotted me. they both bolted and i got a running shot. two inches below the vitals. close <br /><br />good luck

 

[neumanns]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Hey Thanks Guys, The night I posted that I was looking forward to a morning hunt & evening hunt due to my sis volentering to take The kids on her day off! Set the alarm for 5am and at 4 am the phone rang...My wife had been hospitalized due to preterm-premature labor by 9am we were headed for a larger hospital with a pediatric ICU just in case as they were not having much luck. Thankfully they got thing under control for now and we got home last night. If the wind holds steady I will have a good stand location for this evening's hunt in about two hours.<br /><br />In true hunters fasion when her Doc asked me yesturday if I hunted I replied if we can get out of here early enoufgh today I plan to go tonight! She looked at me and said "Your kidding Right."

 

[denniz]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Hope your wifes OK Neumann, havent shot a thing in bow season, 1st day of rifle got a 8 pt. As for sents i always seem to overdo it. Probably scare deer off. Ive rattled up 2 and they fought each other on other land.never got a shot

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Dang wikelam, do you realize that a 170 class whitetail is a boonie! You must have an absolutely unbelievable hunting place if you are getting shots at 170 and 180 class bucks. <br /><br />I hunt in a decent state for producing large bucks, and I have permission to hunt some really good land, and I can honestly say that in 25 years of serious deerhunting, (20 with a bow), I have seen, in the wild, maybe 3 deer that would qualify for Boone and Crockett. I have personally taken 4 bucks that qualify for Pope and Young, and I have taken many that are close.<br /><br />Anyway, looks like i'll be moving to OK pretty soon.

 

[neumanns]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Dang it. Missed last night's hunt due to more contractions, and hit a deer on the way to the hospital!!! I think there taunting me.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Neumanns, dang, when it rains, it pours! Hey, road kill tastes good too! Gather my share of them throughout the year! Praying for you and the Mrs (that she doesn't murder you cause you are out chasing deer when she "thinks" she needs you! You know that contractions do funny things to a womans head and they have a hard time understanding priorities! <br /><br />Uh-oh, think I might be in trouble now!

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Well the elk are coming down from the high <br />country now. GREAT! <br />I got within 600 yards of a nice 5x4 on Saturday<br />but it was to far and would have been a real <br />problem getting to him. Theres already 2 feet of<br />snow in the foot hills and walking long distance<br />is very labor intense, The quad was usless in the<br />deep snow too... Its early yet and theres always<br />another day.

 

[neumanns]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

Aspeck...I wouldn't let it go to waste. However it was a button buck (fawn)and was hit hard. Looks as though there would be very little to salvage due to size and severity of impact so I'll let this one go. Also the wife don't mind as i carry my phone and there is no meat she would rather eat than venison. She wanted to hunt this year(Rifle) but that will be a no-go as she is now on bedrest. The upside is it should allow me more hunt time if we can keep her out of the hospital.<br /><br />Nosleep...I'm jealous, what else can I say. I missed this years hunt.<br /><br />RodKnocking...I realize you proabably did not see the humor in it at the time but that is a funny story.

 

[denniz]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

SOOOooo whos killed what? Ive got a eight point, shouldve waited and 1 doe.Sorry Nuemanns wasnt thinking about humor when I read your post(Im seriously into the hunting mode).. having trouble staying at work.Now regretfully im 1 tag from being thru...

 

[Homerr]

Re: Deer; Calls Scents Rattles Etc.

The 7 mag barked once again and bagged a small forkie last Sunday.<br />Nice body, small horns. I wasn't going to be picky, since it was the last few days of season.<br /><br />Meat on the table!<br /><br />Spotted about 15 head of Elk. Too bad it wasn't Elk season...<br />Amazing what starts stepping out when the weather cooperates.<br /><br />H.