Hunting Fishing Blog

Let me start out by saying that wind is a major factor in whether or not you even see or get a mature deer in range or any deer for that matter. Always pay very close attention to the wind while in the stand. If it's still early in the morning or afternoon and you need to make a switch to another stand I highly recommend it. You want to always put yourself up wind from where you believe the deer may be coming from. When calling or rattling the buck he will always come in downwind of your location to scent check you to be sure there is no danger. This is when all the scent control you have done pre hunt will determine the outcome. Also when using a decoy it's best to have the buck decoy quartering to you and upwind from you, that way when a buck comes in and circles downwind to get head up for the battle you have a broad side or quartering away shot. I prefer my sets to be at 20 to 25 feet but you need to do what is comfortable to you. Also when setting this high off of the ground always wear a safety harness or vest. As far as thermals go this is how it works. The thermals are pushed up in the morning along with your scent so you are less likely to be caught during morning hunts. In the evening when the thermals are being pushed downward toward the bucks best defense which gives him a little advantage as appose to morning but I prefer an evening hunt any day over morning, their always seems to be more action. Ultimately you want to gain an edge by being wind alert and as scent free as possible. If the wind is swirling all you can do is hope for the best. I mean after all it is bow hunting, anything can happen.

In my experience of finding and setting up on mature bucks through the years. There is one thing I've noticed about the ghostly 5 year or older mature whitetail, is that they are a whole different animal than they were at 3 or 4, that's for sure. They spend a lot of time alone and in the most remote spots they can find. A lot of times when I get a booner on camera during the summer he's always alone the whole summer long it seems. They have us figured out more then we care to admit on our patterns and habits as well. Stay as scent free as possible at all times even when goin in to check trail cams or to hang your set. The first thing I look for when I hit a new property is always locating the food on the property and the potential bedding areas and pinch points for stand sites. Then I find those out of the way off the beaten trail type spots, that booners always hide out in. If you keep in mind the fact that if you where him you wouldn't wana be bothered either. Remember this year when scouting find the thickest, most hiddin place on your property and that's where your next wall hanger is going to be.