09-29-2002, 11:02 PM
Personally I have never given much thought of hunting deer from the back of a mule. I guess that it would be easer to drag a deer out of the woods with.
How ever it sounds like you are hunting “grandpa”. These majestic and wise old deer are not your run of the mill hard to get buck. They did not get to their tremendous size and age by behaving like those deer you are used to tracking.
The average big buck has a rout that can be easily picked out. I know this first hand from tracking a trophy and letting many pass on by waiting for the granddaddy of them all. (Oldest buck in the woods)
These two animals do not behave any thing alike. (The one you are looking for knows the threat of man and the peril of what waits should he fail and give away his position)
He has been hunted and stalked from the day he was old enough to see his paternal taken by another hunter. I have watched these animals that possess intelligence and attitude worthy of the most skilled of trackers. I have watched them lead predators (hunters and other predators i.e. wolves, bear, coyote) on wild goose chases. Meaning that I have seen them heading down the usual trail and then jump 15 - 20 feet straight up and over to completely jump track landing in the thickets and completely disappear from view an almost impossible to track with out a machete or helicopter.
To catch a glimpse of such a magnificent animal is truly an aspiration. To successfully track the lord of the bucks now that he is aware of the hunting season beginning, you will need to forget 90% of what you have already learned about hunting deer. This animal is territorial and will only be challenged by very few bucks. (Because they are way out classed)
Note I said only 90%. Some things will remain the same but still different. He beds alone and will choose vantage points that will give the best tactical view and best possible escape rout. The locations you would look for scrapings will be located in tight places his buck rubs will be high in the trees (meaning that he will be challenging tree limbs as if they were suitors challenging him for his territory. Also this animal is having nightmares from the calls of the wild)
Do not disturb or go near the scraping if found in a secluded place, nor should you disturb the entrance or exits to this place, this animal need his privacy and if deprived he will move on, and then good luck on locating him again, he can move as much as 20 miles before he feels safe again.
Once he is located you must make him feel comfortable with your being there. He must believe that you are not hunting but are a natural animal in the woods and have other motives in mind like foraging for example, or building a nest. These are things that are normal of non-predator type animals and the deer will watch you from the horizon remember that this is his home and he is aware of any thing that happens or if any thing has been disturbed do not make any aggressive movements or get excited, he can smell the change in your chemistry.
These things I tell you sound a bit unusual and one might even say a little off my rocker, but understanding the animal you are targeting one must take it upon himself or herself to get inside of his mind and truly feel what he is feeling (the fear the anger the peace and serenity). And don’t be surprised when the other animals start talking to you scolding you or treating you as another log in the forest. And when the birds start landing on you then you know that you are half way there..
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How ever it sounds like you are hunting “grandpa”. These majestic and wise old deer are not your run of the mill hard to get buck. They did not get to their tremendous size and age by behaving like those deer you are used to tracking.
The average big buck has a rout that can be easily picked out. I know this first hand from tracking a trophy and letting many pass on by waiting for the granddaddy of them all. (Oldest buck in the woods)
These two animals do not behave any thing alike. (The one you are looking for knows the threat of man and the peril of what waits should he fail and give away his position)
He has been hunted and stalked from the day he was old enough to see his paternal taken by another hunter. I have watched these animals that possess intelligence and attitude worthy of the most skilled of trackers. I have watched them lead predators (hunters and other predators i.e. wolves, bear, coyote) on wild goose chases. Meaning that I have seen them heading down the usual trail and then jump 15 - 20 feet straight up and over to completely jump track landing in the thickets and completely disappear from view an almost impossible to track with out a machete or helicopter.
To catch a glimpse of such a magnificent animal is truly an aspiration. To successfully track the lord of the bucks now that he is aware of the hunting season beginning, you will need to forget 90% of what you have already learned about hunting deer. This animal is territorial and will only be challenged by very few bucks. (Because they are way out classed)
Note I said only 90%. Some things will remain the same but still different. He beds alone and will choose vantage points that will give the best tactical view and best possible escape rout. The locations you would look for scrapings will be located in tight places his buck rubs will be high in the trees (meaning that he will be challenging tree limbs as if they were suitors challenging him for his territory. Also this animal is having nightmares from the calls of the wild)
Do not disturb or go near the scraping if found in a secluded place, nor should you disturb the entrance or exits to this place, this animal need his privacy and if deprived he will move on, and then good luck on locating him again, he can move as much as 20 miles before he feels safe again.
Once he is located you must make him feel comfortable with your being there. He must believe that you are not hunting but are a natural animal in the woods and have other motives in mind like foraging for example, or building a nest. These are things that are normal of non-predator type animals and the deer will watch you from the horizon remember that this is his home and he is aware of any thing that happens or if any thing has been disturbed do not make any aggressive movements or get excited, he can smell the change in your chemistry.
These things I tell you sound a bit unusual and one might even say a little off my rocker, but understanding the animal you are targeting one must take it upon himself or herself to get inside of his mind and truly feel what he is feeling (the fear the anger the peace and serenity). And don’t be surprised when the other animals start talking to you scolding you or treating you as another log in the forest. And when the birds start landing on you then you know that you are half way there..
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