Scout For Success

Tip : To take a good buck, either with a bow or with a gun, you have to know that buck. Good scouting is the way you get acquainted.

First, look for the food. Deer have to eat. Archers often take nice bucks by staking out food sources. During the gun season, food attracts does and does attract bucks.

Learn the main deer trail system, including the creek and fence crossings. Then learn the secondary buck trail system. Pay particular attention to where the buck trails intersect or closely parallel main trains. Bucks like to shadow the main trails waiting for a hot doe.

Identify bedding areas. For bucks, that means finding his core or sanctuary area. It will be a tough spot because big bucks don't like to bed down where they are easily approached. When hunting pressure hits, bucks become more nocturnal in feeding patterns and except during the rut, when he's out chasing does, he'll spend much time in his sanctuary.