8 11, 2017

November Rut-Hunting Plan

2020-06-10T09:16:09-04:00November 8th, 2017|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Management|1 Comment

The main thing to remember for the next two weeks is that many if not most bucks will cover two or three times the terrain they traveled back in September and early October, circling and contacting as many doe units as they can, hoping to get lucky with as many does as they can. As the bucks come and go, they might not stay on your hunting property every day, but they’ll drift through from time to time, though you cannot predict when. Right now, as bucks begin to lengthen their daily movements and roam more in daylight hours, expand your hunt area, too, if you can. Spread out, scout and hang some more tree stands in likely ambush spots [...]

6 11, 2017

3 Top Deer Rut Stands

2020-06-10T09:16:09-04:00November 6th, 2017|Big Deer Stories, Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting|2 Comments

#1 Spot On: Best time, scraping/seeking, November 1-8 Details: Let’s say you spot a giant 10-pointer in a food plot or crossing a road…Once the buck moves on, sneak over there and check it out. If the nearest wooded ridge or draw is laced with fresh scrapes and rubs, Mr. Big will be back through there--maybe later that afternoon, or tomorrow morning or on the third day. But the big dude will back because he’s not yet gone on the lam for does. Move in tight, try to hang a stand on a trail near all those rubs and scrapes and hope for a shot at the buck as he trolls back through. #2 Cover Scrape: Best phase, scraping first [...]

1 11, 2017

Hanback’s 2017 Hunt Predictions Coming True

2020-06-10T09:16:09-04:00November 1st, 2017|Big Deer Stories, Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Hunting|Comments Off on Hanback’s 2017 Hunt Predictions Coming True

I hate to say I told you so, but… On Twitter in July and August, I tweeted several times that 2017 was setting up to be the best whitetail season since 2010. In September I posted here on the blog: I like the way this year’s moon sets up… It exposes and enhances the seeking phase of the pre-rut in late October… Halloween into the first week of November is a good time to bowhunt in any season. This year, with the moon waxing toward full–91% visible on November 1 to 100% bright on November 4-5–the hunting should be especially good near food sources in the afternoons. If a cold front sweeps into your hunt area, better yet… In the [...]

31 10, 2017

Q&A: 6 Tips For Whitetail Rut

2020-06-10T09:16:09-04:00October 31st, 2017|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Hunting, Deer Management|Comments Off on Q&A: 6 Tips For Whitetail Rut

How do I locate and hunt a dominant buck in my area?—Buford Look for rubs 3-5 inches in diameter (or larger). Clusters of big rubs are sign a big buck is working the area. Hang trail cams over fresh scrapes near the rubs to get a snap-shot of the dominant buck, probably working it at night. If and when you catch the buck on his feet in daylight, move in and hunt him! Where would you spend the most time hunting in the rut—around feeding or bedding areas, on main trails or in funnels?—Steve A. My #1 Rut Spot: Set up on the downwind side of the intersection of two trails with fresh tracks and rimmed with rubs and scrapes. [...]

29 10, 2017

4 Great Treestands for October Deer

2020-06-10T09:16:09-04:00October 29th, 2017|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Hunting|Comments Off on 4 Great Treestands for October Deer

You can’t go wrong hanging your tree stand in one of these spots: Break Line: Look for a linear strip where pines, cedars or hardwood trees come together with brush, tall grass or second-growth saplings. Deer walk and browse on these edges; bucks rub and scrape on the lines as the rut approaches. Oak Ridge: A narrow hogback with acorn trees within 100 yards of a corn or bean field is one of my favorite spots. Deer cut around points, ditches and gullies on a  ridge; hang stands on these terrains to funnel bucks close. Bucks will stage, eat acorns and browse in ridge thickets not only in the evenings, but in the mornings as well. Creek/River Crossing: Water funnels [...]

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