| peratures at night start to graze the bottom of the | | | | example of this -- as stated previously -- are the |
| mercury barrel. The amount of available sunlight | | | | many studies that substantiate the frequency of |
| decreases on a daily basis, and whitetail bucks slowly | | | | nighttime scraping activity by mature deer. Yet those |
| go mad with wanton desire. Rubs and scrapes appear | | | | north Missouri bucks were brazenly working their |
| on the edges of fields and along trails in | | | | scrapes during broad daylight without a care in the |
| high-interaction areas. Deer activity intensifies during | | | | world. |
| daylight hours as a sudden influx of animals crossing | | | | So when pursuing trophy bucks with archery |
| highways and country roads at night increases. This | | | | equipment it’s best to keep an open mind for |
| stage of the whitetail breeding season is commonly | | | | every possible opportunity to be able to capitalize on |
| referred to as the pre-rut. | | | | the habits of the deer in your particular area. This |
| Selecting the right stand location at this time of year | | | | type of mindset is yet another key to outwitting |
| can result in a close encounter of the monster buck | | | | pre-rut whitetails. |
| kind. It’s an extremely exciting time to be in | | | | Search and Enjoy |
| the deer woods. There simply is no better time to | | | | One of the most productive times to search for deer |
| identify, isolate and exploit the common behavioral | | | | sign is immediately following the bow season. Another |
| traits of mature whitetails bucks than during the | | | | is during the spring. In the early stages of spring, the |
| pre-rut. | | | | woods appear in basically the same condition as they |
| Although the timing of the rut fluctuates across | | | | did during the previous bow season. Rubs, scrapes |
| North America -- the farther one travels south, the | | | | and trails are exposed and are easily identifiable. This |
| later the rut occurs -- the tactics described here will | | | | time of the year also offers yet another opportunity |
| work throughout the entire range of the white-tailed | | | | to legally harvest the prized headgear of virtually |
| deer. | | | | every buck in your hunting area. This highly |
| We all know what happens during the rut. Bucks are | | | | enjoyable, early spring activity I’m referring to |
| running around like wild dogs in a helter-skelter | | | | is widely known in the bowhunting ranks as shed |
| manner, chasing every hot doe that crosses their | | | | hunting. |
| path for miles. Sure you see a lot of bucks during this | | | | Hunting for shed antlers has become one of the |
| time of the year, but patterning those bucks and | | | | fastest growing pastimes of an ever-increasing |
| trying to close-in on one particular buck is a nightmare | | | | number of outdoor enthusiasts. Serious bowhunters, |
| at best. | | | | nature lovers and those who seek to profit from |
| So why am I discussing pre-rut whitetail deer tactics | | | | these complimentary woodland souvenirs are among |
| in the middle of February you ask? Because there is | | | | the most recognized of today’s burgeoning |
| no better time to be searching the woods for the | | | | legion of bone collectors. With a formal record |
| sign that will lead you to a pre-rut stage monster | | | | book in current production that is solely dedicated to |
| buck this coming fall than right now! | | | | shed antlers, and a separate category that officially |
| Buck Lairs | | | | recognizes them as stand-alone trophies, the |
| Continuously monitoring and scouting various trail | | | | one-time leisure pursuit of a few adventurous |
| systems can lead to areas that big bucks prefer to | | | | individuals has now become an extremely competitive |
| roam. Virtually living solitary lives for most of the | | | | arena. |
| year, big whitetails often select the nastiest, most | | | | Scouring the woods for these naturally abandoned |
| impenetrable piece of real estate in an area to call | | | | gems of the whitetail world definitely has its |
| home. These areas are normally located in sections | | | | advantages for archers seeking trophy bucks. Finding |
| of timber where deer feel safe. | | | | a single shed -- or if you’re lucky enough -- a |
| Cedar swamps, standing cornfields, briar thickets, | | | | matched set of antlers will positively confirm that a |
| brush-choked streambeds and pine plantations are all | | | | certain buck has survived the hunting season. Also, |
| areas that offer protection and provide concealed | | | | simply knowing that a particular buck is still alive and |
| daytime movement. For this reason, bucks will often | | | | well, and is residing in your hunting area on a |
| establish their bedding areas -- or core areas -- | | | | consistent basis, will significantly increase your odds |
| nearby. Mature animals will routinely use this type of | | | | of killing him next bow season. Yet another reward |
| cover to move from one section of the woods to | | | | for your efforts is the beautiful addition that shed |
| another. | | | | antlers make to any trophy room. Attached to the |
| Although bucks tend to let down their guard during | | | | skull plate or displayed on a mantle or laid out on |
| the heat of the rut, safety is still their No. 1 concern | | | | deer hide covered coffee table makes no difference |
| throughout the pre-rut period. The odds of arrowing | | | | to me. Antlers are eye-popping works of art that are |
| trophy deer are excellent in places where they feel | | | | just plain cool. |
| secure. Identifying and studying these areas will earn | | | | Unfortunately, the exploration of every hunting spot |
| you the opportunity to harvest a true wall hanger. | | | | prior to the season is not possible, leaving many |
| Setting up over trails that link feeding and bedding | | | | pieces of the whitetail puzzle missing or out of place. |
| areas can still produce good results. Bucks will | | | | In this case, you must switch gears and start to look |
| continue to use early-season trails, making short visits | | | | at things from a different perspective. Scouting just |
| at food plots and crop fields as they slowly extend | | | | prior to, or during the open season, is tricky business. |
| their range into neighboring territory. These | | | | One wrong move could ruin a spot for the entire |
| excursions focus on assessing the breeding status of | | | | year. Yet there is a way to get the drop on the |
| local doe concentrations, and storing energy for the | | | | resident deer herd with only marginal amounts of |
| rigors of the upcoming rut by quickly consuming | | | | disturbance. |
| high-energy chow. | | | | Rubs made the previous fall are the keys to locating |
| In most cases, trophy bucks choose to travel on | | | | hot spots in unfamiliar territory. Fresh rubs are much |
| less-defined trails that skirt heavy cover. Rarely will | | | | better, but one of the easiest ways to pinpoint |
| you see a mature deer traveling through open timber | | | | productive stand sites in a new area or when the |
| or crossing an open field at this time. Keeping a low | | | | season is fast approaching is by tracking down old |
| profile is standard operating procedure, but the one | | | | rubs. Old rubs provide valuable clues to unlocking |
| weakness bucks have in sustaining an anonymous | | | | preferred travel corridors. The logic behind this |
| lifestyle is the uncontrollable habit of leaving behind | | | | method relies on the habitual nature of deer. A spot |
| evidence of their existence. Accurately interpreting | | | | that held bucks in the past will usually hold them in |
| and processing this information can be a tremendous | | | | the future if the deer still feel secure while moving |
| aid in devising a plan of attack. | | | | through the area. |
| Solving The Puzzle | | | | Stand Placement |
| The most difficult aspect of hunting trophy whitetails | | | | The location of rubs is more important than their size. |
| is interpreting deer sign. Developing this skill will take | | | | A big rub is a relatively accurate measure of the |
| time and experience. By using a little creativity you | | | | quality of animal you are pursuing. On the other hand, |
| can learn to evaluate and eventually exploit the sign | | | | big rubs can only tell you where a good buck was, |
| that bucks yield in the wake of their travels. | | | | not where he is going to be on a regular basis. |
| Imagine interpreting and processing deer sign as | | | | Rubbing activity normally takes place under the cover |
| constructing a giant jigsaw puzzle. The wooded | | | | of darkness along field edges. Bucks often stop and |
| terrain and natural food sources of a certain area | | | | make rubs when exiting a field in the morning. |
| make up the main body and outer edges of the | | | | Although the eye-catching fallout from these |
| puzzle. The final pieces include rubs, scrapes, | | | | late-night calisthenics can be very impressive, |
| trails and bedding areas. Normally the edges of a | | | | don’t bank on seeing the buck during daylight |
| puzzle are the easiest to identify and arrange. The | | | | hours at the edge of the field. |
| task becomes more challenging and reveals more of | | | | Prime locations are easily identifiable, but not as easy |
| the impending scene as you work towards the | | | | to find. It will take a fair amount of dedication and |
| center. Gathering bits of information and applying the | | | | legwork to uncover areas where big bucks spend the |
| acquired knowledge will lead to a specific strategy for | | | | majority of their time. Relying on rubs will eventually |
| solving the puzzle. In one case it may be a beautiful | | | | lead to the center of a buck’s bedroom. |
| mountain vista or prominent landmark. In the other, a | | | | Bucks tend to mark the perimeter of their bedding |
| trophy buck. | | | | areas with rubs. There will usually be a line of rubs |
| I personally focus my attention on finding fresh rubs | | | | leading into and another line leading away from a |
| while on scouting forays. Rubs are one of the few | | | | bedding area. Concentrate on clusters of rubs |
| distinguishing pieces of evidence that verifies antlered | | | | adjacent to heavy cover or a line of rubs leading into |
| animals are frequenting a certain locale. From the time | | | | similar terrain. Setting up within close proximity of the |
| their antlers harden in early September until they cast | | | | trail, or trails, that link these rubs can lead to a close |
| them in late winter bucks will make rubs. Saplings, | | | | range shot at a good deer. |
| fence posts, power line poles and a wide variety of | | | | Be thoroughly discriminate in the process of stand |
| scrub brush fall victim to their abuse. Taking | | | | selection. Set up 15 to 20 yards from the edge of |
| advantage of a buck’s natural tendency to | | | | the trail or line/cluster of rubs. Choose a tree that |
| create these spontaneous woodland sculptures is the | | | | takes advantage of the prevailing wind direction. |
| answer to consistently taking bragging-size bucks | | | | Make sure the thermals will blow your scent away |
| during the pre-rut. | | | | from the deer and their expected route of travel. |
| Scrapes are also an indication that bucks are working | | | | Place the stand in a spot that allows immature and |
| an area. Studies have shown that the majority of | | | | non-antlered specimens of your quarry to pass by |
| activity in and around a scrape generally occurs under | | | | without detecting your presence. The goal is to catch |
| the cover of darkness. Yearlings and immature bucks | | | | the buck on his feet during legal shooting hours. To |
| will visit scrapes on a regular basis, but mature | | | | increase your odds of success, place a stand as close |
| animals tend to shy away from these locations during | | | | to the buck’s bedding area as possible without |
| daylight hours. For this reason, rubs normally offer a | | | | tipping your hand. Couple the location with fresh rut |
| more reliable means of plotting travel patterns than | | | | sign and sit tight. |
| scrapes. | | | | To maintain a productive stand site, consider the |
| However, during a recent hunt in northern Missouri, I | | | | following advice: Make sure to alter your entry and |
| witnessed several large bucks visiting a primary | | | | exit routes to and from your stand to keep the deer |
| scrape at various times of the day, including the first | | | | guessing. Try and keep noise to a bear minimum |
| hours of daylight in the morning and the last few | | | | while in close proximity of the ambush site. Take |
| hours before sunset in late afternoon. One of the | | | | every precaution necessary to avoid contaminating |
| aforementioned bucks sported a massive, bone-white | | | | the area with human scent. Wash all hunting clothes |
| set of antlers whose rack would score somewhere in | | | | in baking soda, or similar agent, and apply |
| the high 160s as a 10-point typical. I had definite plans | | | | scent-eliminating sprays. Don’t over-hunt the |
| of harvesting this particular animal, but due to a | | | | stand or allow the deer to pattern your movements. |
| perplexing attack of impatience I wound up shooting | | | | Avoid touching low-hanging branches or saplings to |
| a lesser deer only to have the big 10 show up under | | | | reduce the risk of dispensing alarming odor on |
| my stand moments after harvesting the smaller buck. | | | | surrounding vegetation. And, [I, personally,] always |
| In this case, I learned that there are simply no | | | | wear a pair of Elimitrax or scent-free footwear to |
| absolutes when it comes to bowhunting trophy | | | | conceal [my] your footpath. |
| whitetails. Anything can happen at anytime. An | | | | Going to these extremes will boost success rates. |