Low pressure vs. hunting opportunities. Patience vs. taking action. Tough choices, especially when related to October bowhunting and mature whitetail bucks.
For decades, it’s been a no-brainer. Hunters pile into deer camps across the country in anticipation of that first sunrise of deer season. Plus, the age-old mentality that “you can’t kill’em from the couch” is still rampant. But knowing what I know now about mature whitetail bucks and human pressure, I’ve had to rethink my mentality. Along with religiously playing the wind and crafting my entry and exit routes, I now save my best early-season bowhunting spots for the evening hunt. Sure, I’ve killed bucks in the morning but looking back, I’ve had far too many mature hit-list bucks disappear. It used to mystify and frustrate me. Not anymore.
In an age where hunting articles and popular podcasts feature hardcore bowhunters touting their prowess of throwing caution to the wind and boldly “going in”, it’s tempting to do the same. After all, I want to hunt as many hours as possible. Nevertheless, I’ve learned that, on balance, there is too much at stake to hit my best kill spots with such abandon. That includes compromising them early in the morning before the pre-rut. Regardless of entry and exit routes, I’ve found that, for mature bucks, two extra early day treks through the sweet spots of my hunting grounds is self-imposed sabotage.
Bedroom and Dinner Table
During the early season, consider passing on the morning deer hunt to avoid pressuring mature bucks.
Food plots, ag crops, and deer feeders. Whatever your food source, your bucks are likely bedding nearby. And they are likely going in early before any light breaches the food source or bedding area. Remember, mature bucks in the early season are only weeks, even days from changing their patterns. It will take little disruption to cause them to change core areas (or areas within the core area). At this time, the rut is fast approaching and, if disturbed, it will be difficult to determine their new pattern before it hits.
Quality vs. Quantity
Let’s be honest. For serious deer hunters, it sucks not to be in the stand during good daylight hunting hours. However, I came to realize that my evening hunts were consistently far better than morning sits. Once I got accustomed to the new regimen, it was easier to justify, as the 3-6 hours I was in the field was much more productive. Plus, it led to more quality hunts during the pre-rut and certainly the rut. When it comes to mature whitetails, excessive pressure is the death knell to success – at least from my experience. Before long, it was obvious that the better long-term success warranted the painful act of sitting out mornings.
The Exception to the Rule and Honesty
Good entry and exit routes to your best stands are paramount to hunting mature bucks whenever you choose to hit the woods, not just in the morning. If you do hunt the early morning in these areas, it takes the perfect layout – one where you can slip in undetected as bucks return to their beds from feeding areas. If you feel you have such a layout, go for it. However, in my experience, such an arrangement rarely exists, especially on smaller parcels.
Full disclosure; I usually follow through with this strategy but sometimes cave. This season, I’ll be striving for full compliance.
The Observation Post
If you bowhunt the early season for a mature buck, consider using the morning to view the area from a distance
If you just can’t stand it, one productive morning activity is to watch your ideal hunting set up from a distance – the farther the better. Grab your best optics and utilize a treestand, ground blind, or elevated shooting house to scout your bowhunting spot. In this way, you can witness and make note of deer movement and location. You might catch a glimpse of a mature hit-list buck. If you take this approach, don’t get lazy with your entry and exit and pay attention to wind direction. You can still compromise your ultimate bowhunting spot if not careful. If conditions aren’t right, don’t talk yourself into this compromising solution.
Added Benefit
While skipping the morning hunt can be agonizing, you don’t have to wait as long as you think. In fact, it’s best to get to your stand early in the afternoon anyway. If you’re smart, the wait won’t be too long. Remember that your entry and exit practices in the afternoon are also important. Hit the field early and get settled for a long evening hunt.
The Sweet Moment of Truth
Temperature swings in my home state of Texas are often dramatic, if not extreme. By mid-to-late October, cool fronts start to show themselves and, like most areas, everything changes from a whitetail perspective. First off, testosterone levels in bucks are rising and new ones start to show themselves. If you’re lucky, a couple of the older bucks, once in a bachelor group pattern, have remained on or near your property. You’ve held out this long and you’ve almost made it. You’re jonesing now but you know it’s about to pay off. Minimized pressure and delayed gratification is a great thing when it comes to hunting this type of buck. Don’t blow it at this stage.
Start preparing now for successful evening hunts this coming season. Save the mornings for the rut and pre-rut if you can. Or, if your property is large enough or you have access to another piece, seek another area less known for mature bucks. These are great places to shoot does during the morning hours. If you’re on a lease or club, sleep in, eat breakfast, and shoot your bow. And tell your hunting buddies to stay clear of your evening honey hole.
