Busted!!

bucksmut · Aug 17, 2009

Here is the question for all you experienced muley magicians...

How long do you give a buck that you busted out of his day bedding area before you go back in.... or in other words before he goes back into the area?

This weekend I busted the buck I have been watching all summer and I want to know from your experience how long it usually takes before the animal regains some confidence in the area and returns or do they ever?

I dont think he seen me but I know I was winded!

BigBucks23 · Aug 17, 2009

He may not come back, but I would play it safe since he winded you and say wait 4 days.

BrowningRage · Aug 17, 2009

It will depend on the area my friend... On a few LE areas, I've seen bucks back in their beds the next day... But on public ground, the deer are more leary and it could take 3 days or so...
Tough break, good luck finding him again...

lucaar · Aug 17, 2009

I have been watching really nice buck all summer on public ground. I watched two hunters bump him opening day. He was back the next morning. I stalked to witin 30 yards of him bedded. While I was preparing for a long wait for him to stand up, another hunter came down on top of me and bumped him again. I saw him again this morning in the same place.

bucksmut · Aug 17, 2009

Thanks for the needed input and encouragement! I figured a couple days at least.

This is in a really steep area and it is the IDEAL place for a big buck to hang out....hard to get in and hard to get close to the animal withough being heard through all the scrub oak!

I did however notice a couple smaller guys that were with the big bucks have returned but no sign of the big boys! I guess I will have to wait them out.

One idea that i had was to keep watching the area and then when they are not there I would take a saw or trimmer and clear out the game trail I use to stalk the bed from any possilbe mishaps or twig snaps that may happen next approach.... anyone ever done this? Would that not be a good idea or do ya think just stay completely out of there so they dont smell all the recent gardening?

All I know is that every year I gain more and more respect for these animals!

jcmuleys · Aug 17, 2009

A buck becomes familiar with an area that he likes and even though bumped he will often stay in that general area. That buck has probably spent all summer there and feels comforable there. If you think no one else knows about the deer give him a few days then resume hunting him. If you think other people might know of the deer and possibly be in there hunting i would continue hunting the area. He is there somewhere. Good luck!
JC
Colorado Hunting Consultants LLC
www.cohunthelp.com

gb22 · Aug 17, 2009

I've chased several big bucks for more than a single season; some of which I caught and some of which got away. They will return to their HOME. If that was his place, he'll be back and right away. He will use a different escape route, depending on the direction of your approach, but he'll be in the area. He picked it for a reason and he knows the escape routes. He may hide deeper and hold longer but he'll go home soon.

Within the shadows, go quietly.

ELKOHOLIC · Aug 18, 2009

Don't give up on him. Most of the time they will come back really quick. Last year I had many blown opportunities at a nice buck. I couldn't believe he kept coming back for more.

mmwb · Aug 18, 2009

" when they are not there I would take a saw or trimmer and clear out the game trail I use to stalk the bed from any possilbe mishaps or twig snaps that may happen next approach.... anyone ever done this? "

If clearing shooting lanes for a tree stand, pre season, I'd say do it. In your situation I'd be concerned about spending too much time and leaving too much scent around the bedding area.

Buck · Aug 19, 2009

On the early hunts when the bucks are still in velvet, I can't remember one that hasn't shown back up after bumping him. But later in the year when they go hardhorned has been a different story. Some came back, some didn't. I try not to bump them if I can help it.

"The value of any trophy from the field depends not on its size but on the magnitude of the effort expended in its pursuit." ~ Aldo Leopold