While getting ready for this years hunt I am hiking steeper terrain to get in shape and decided to practice my stalking on some bucks at timberline.
In photo #1 it shows a small buck way uphill I glassed as he was looking for a place to bed down.
In photo #2 the buck beds and I have very little cover to try a practice stalk and there are no routes to go around and come down like the ideal situation would be without being seen.
In photo #3 I have made my way to the bucks left acting like I do not see him as I make use of cover when available.
I have learned most bucks feel safer "if" they spot someone and you are below them and will stay instead of run as they do if you come down from above.
I get into some bushes and wait him out without moving for two hours.
In the photo he has gotten back up and walks by at 90 yards thinking I am long gone.
In photo # 4 the buck has gone down into a hidden valley.
Knowing that at this time of year many bucks hang out together I follow him when he disappears from site.
When I get to the point I can see into the little cut he went into the picture shows the results at 70 yards.
More bucks and one has seen my movement.
I freeze until he is content knowing I am nothing to worry about and the wind is blowing from them to me.
In photo #5 it shows the reward of sitting tight and watching the action as the bucks fed then headed out to bed down....A nicer buck appears following the others into the timber to snooze.
If I had not waited and watched I would have never seen him.
Not a huge buck but the practice before this years hunt will hopefully pay big rewards latter this fall.
Time from initial glassing the first small buck till in range if I had been hunting when the larger buck showed took 6 hours.
Nothing special but wanted to illustrate with photo's that many times patience and trying alternate stalking methods can work.
Besides it is a great way to hone your skills and find critters in the off season.
Best of luck to all.
Jerry
In photo #1 it shows a small buck way uphill I glassed as he was looking for a place to bed down.
In photo #2 the buck beds and I have very little cover to try a practice stalk and there are no routes to go around and come down like the ideal situation would be without being seen.
In photo #3 I have made my way to the bucks left acting like I do not see him as I make use of cover when available.
I have learned most bucks feel safer "if" they spot someone and you are below them and will stay instead of run as they do if you come down from above.
I get into some bushes and wait him out without moving for two hours.
In the photo he has gotten back up and walks by at 90 yards thinking I am long gone.
In photo # 4 the buck has gone down into a hidden valley.
Knowing that at this time of year many bucks hang out together I follow him when he disappears from site.
When I get to the point I can see into the little cut he went into the picture shows the results at 70 yards.
More bucks and one has seen my movement.
I freeze until he is content knowing I am nothing to worry about and the wind is blowing from them to me.
In photo #5 it shows the reward of sitting tight and watching the action as the bucks fed then headed out to bed down....A nicer buck appears following the others into the timber to snooze.
If I had not waited and watched I would have never seen him.
Not a huge buck but the practice before this years hunt will hopefully pay big rewards latter this fall.
Time from initial glassing the first small buck till in range if I had been hunting when the larger buck showed took 6 hours.
Nothing special but wanted to illustrate with photo's that many times patience and trying alternate stalking methods can work.
Besides it is a great way to hone your skills and find critters in the off season.
Best of luck to all.
Jerry
