During my decades of whitetail addiction, I’ve developed an appreciation for the finer details of each stage of deer season. Not only do the animals behave differently as the season progresses, but the strategies for success also change. Indeed, hunting the early season is vastly different from pursuing bucks during the rut or the late season.

While trophy bucks can be had throughout the fall, the pre-rut definitely has its advantages. Some of my most memorable hunts, in fact, have taken place during early archery season, just as the bucks’ testosterone levels begin to spike and their pre-rut activity ramps up. Here are my seven proven tactics for early-season success.

#1  HUNT THE CRACK OF DAWN

Sneak into your stand at least an hour before daybreak so you’re ready for the first few hours of legal light. During the pre-rut, you’re far more likely to get within bow range of a trophy whitetail at sunrise than at any other time of day. That’s because there are fewer hunters in the deer woods, and that translates into little or no pressure on the bucks. They simply won’t be as wary as they will be in the months that follow.

During early archery season, bucks continue their fairly predictable daily routines, just as they have in the weeks leading up to the hunt. As each day passes, however, their testosterone levels increase, making them more edgy and active. They’ll begin to carve rubs into more trees and make more scrapes, and spend more time away from their bedding areas. And as they become bolder, bucks will spend more and more time asserting dominance over their home range.

Target the cooler mornings, especially following a significant low-pressure storm system, as bucks will remain active longer if the day is cooler. (On the flip side, hot weather can put a damper on early-season hunts.) Also be ready to hunt early mornings following dark, moonless nights; bucks are less active during the dark hours, leading them to linger over their favourite snack bar at sunrise.

#2  HEAD OUT INTO THE FOG

Foggy mornings have made for some of my most intense hunts. Fog benefits the hunter by concealing movement, and the dense moisture particles prevent scent from travelling. But stay alert—that same low visibility can keep a buck hidden until he’s in your lap, while the damp daybreak can prevent you from hearing his approach. It’s amazing how quickly and silently a huge buck can appear like an apparition in the fog at 25 metres, so be ready for the adrenaline rush.