« Thanking Deer Hunting Guides | Main | Sharp Broad Heads Can Cut Deer Trailing Time by Half »
Deer Hunters have to be Persistent, and Lucky, to Tag a Monster Buck.
Scouting your deer hunting land and knowing deer movement are important. You increase your chances of harvesting a monster buck if you know when and where it has been observed.
By actually patterning a monster buck on your deer hunting land, you at least know the buck exists and therefore you have a possibility of harvesting it. While it is always awesome to tag a monster buck, for the most dedicated deer hunters, knowing that a monster buck exists on the land being hunted is ample satisfaction and excitement.
Remember, you don’t have to tag a monster to have the experience of deer hunting.
When a monster buck presents himself, that doesn’t mean the deer hunter is ready. Remember, the definition of success is opportunity meeting preparation.
Make sure shooting a monster buck is not your only goal. Instead, each deer hunt and from deer season to deer season, compete against yourself raising your standards for all elements of successful deer hunting each time you are out.
Your goals could include learning more about deer scouting and applying your knowledge better in the field. Learning more about deer signs and reading them more accurately. This is how you work your way to a monster buck. The deer hunter whose goal is to take only monster bucks will have much space between successes.
Learn when to pass on deer and when the deer in front of you is as good as it is going to get. The challenge of the hunt is more important than the size of the rack or gender of the deer.
For many deer hunters the chance to harvest a monster buck may never happen. But keep the thought in your mind and prepare for the time when it does happen.
It’s the possibilities of what might show up in the field that inspires serious deer hunters to increase their deer hunting knowledge and prepare so they can be successful if and when that monster buck does appear.
Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Marty Prokop
Posted by Marty Prokop
Comments
Thanks Marty for all the great tips.
I need your help with my hunting land.
I have only 40 acres that I can control. Part of it is a bedding area that I don't let any one hunt or go in to at all. It is about 6 acres of woods that is very brushy.
But we do hunt the rest of the land that is hay field 18 acres, swamp 3 acres, and the balance is woods with a lot of brush trails and two new food plots that were just cleared this fall.
The food plots are 1/4 acre and 1/2 acre and the trails are 10 feet wide. What is the best thing to plant to get and keep deer on our land?
Thanks Jeff
Posted by: Jeff at November 8, 2007 12:30 PM
Jeff,
Thanks for your praise and comments.
You are headed in the right direction.
Offering a sanctuary for deer is a wise move. I have done this on my land and have seen a noticeable increase in deer numbers...bucks as well as does.
In regards to your food plots, a 1/4 acre and 1/2 acre are also good starting points.
To get deer to want to stay on your land they must feel safe, have a water supply and a great food source. Do you have plans on making some of your hay field a food plot? The more food you offer deer the more you can hold and sustain on your land.
The best thing to plant for attracting and holding deer on your land will depend on several things.
The type of soil you have
Results of a soil sample
Recommendations for additives for your soil like fertilizer and nitrogen amounts
The pH level of your food plot soil
Getting the above information will be priceless in deciding what seeds will grow best in your area. I wholeheartedly suggest you get this information and prepare your soil beds before planting.
If you want to try testing a food plot seed without the above information,look to The Whitetail Institute products called Extreme, No Plow, Chicory Plus and Secret Spot. Make sure you follow the directions on the bags when you plant.
I planted my first food plots several years ago and they are ready to be replanted. To see which browse deer in my area preferred, I planted several test plots this fall including Extreme, Secret Spot, Chicory Plus and No Plow. The Deer mowed them down.
Even with heavy browsing the plots are still producing forage and attracting deer. Next spring I will be planting my new plots with some of the above mentioned products.
You can also add a mineral lick to your property. Mineral licks provide essential minerals and salts for deer year round. Once the mineral site is established deer will return on a regular basis to use the site. Make sure you replenish the site to keep deer coming in.
Check your local regulations to see if this is allowed in your state, Mineral licks are sometimes labeled as bait sites. If baiting is not allowed in your state this may not be an option for you.
Getting deer to jump the fence onto your land can be a challenge, but not impossible. The right food and enough of it could be the answer.
Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Marty Prokop
www.Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com
Posted by: Marty Prokop at November 9, 2007 2:06 PM
