WHITETAIL ACADEMY
What I've learned while hunting, photographing and observing trophy whitetails
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11. Bucks have a lock-tight memory.If you spook a mature buck from your stand, move your set-up to a new location. Trophy deer get big for a reason—once you get busted, don’t count on seeing the same deer within range from the same spot again.
12. Bucks are masters at patterning your movements. To avoid revealing your game book of strategies, shake things up and keep them guessing. Shift from treestands to ground blinds, then throw in some still-hunting. The more random your actions, the greater your chances of gripping some giant antlers this fall.
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13. Bad weather is good. When it comes to weather scenarios while deer hunting, I’m most excited by an incoming storm system. While we rely on our trusted weather forecasters to tell us when bad weather is imminent, whitetails can sense the rapidly dropping air pressure. They know when high wind, heavy rain or, best of all, a blanket of fresh snow is on the way (above). And since that means they’ll be forced to hunker down in their bedding area for an extended period, the deer also know they’d better eat while it’s safe to do so. All white-tailed deer, no matter what the age or sex, will sneak to their most trusted food supply to fill their bellies a few hours before a storm.
14. Bucks love mast. During the pre-rut, hunt the oak and beech portions of the forest. Stands of these nut-producing trees can feed deer for several weeks during the fall. As long as females aren’t in heat, big bucks will rarely show themselves in open fields during daylight, preferring the safety of this secure buffet.
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15. At least once during the day, bucks will drink from a secret watering hole. Scout the fringes of potential thirst-quenching hideaways for tracks and other buck sign. The best time to do this is two days after a heavy rain, with the soft earth allowing for fresh hoof prints if bucks are present.