This isn't the deer I wanted to hunt, but...

[Native Hunter]

This isn't the deer I wanted to hunt, but it seems to have moved in and run everything else off. So I guess we will be after him.

 

[scott44]

Good luck with him.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

He looks like a meanie from that mugshot!

 

[Native Hunter]

He looks like a meanie from that mugshot!

Every picture I get of him looks like that. I think he just escaped from prison.

 

[Chainsaw]

He looks like a real challenge but he likely is in for a big surprise. Are you finding more camera tolerance from the mature deer with the cameras set up higher like that?

 

[roymunson]

He's a tank...

 

[Native Hunter]

He looks like a real challenge but he likely is in for a big surprise. Are you finding more camera tolerance from the mature deer with the cameras set up higher like that?

Dave, I had never seen him until a few weeks ago, but the very first pics I had of him, he was posing in front of the camera like that and seemed to not be afraid of it. The Reconyx cameras I use are true black flash, but the deer still sense something is there. This camera is set up a little high because of the low winter sun in the direction it is pointed, but I can still reach it from the ground. However, I also have some cameras up in trees that I check standing on the truck bed. With those, the deer never know they are there.

 

[Native Hunter]

He's a tank...

I don't think he is missing any meals.

We have had an amazing deer this year, but my son and I agreed not to post pics of him on the Internet for fear of drawing in poachers. However, he has been gone now for over a month, and I fear he may not be alive anymore. I wonder if this guy could be keeping him away.

 

[Native Hunter]

Here is another old buck on our place this year that hasn't missed any meals. I know this one, and think he is 6 years old. He has already broken off both brow tines fighting this year.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

If he hasn't been on your property before and just showed up now, I wonder what caused him to relocate? A bigger and/or more dominate buck took over his home range, or he found a better spot to call home? It's strange for mature bucks to be relocating, especially during the fall.

We have the exact scenario playing out at our place and are trying to figure out what the reason(s) could be. Coincidentally, our biggest and most mature buck has virtually disappeared since the new buck showed up.

 

[Native Hunter]

If he hasn't been on your property before and just showed up now, I wonder what caused him to relocate? A bigger and/or more dominate buck took over his home range, or he found a better spot to call home? It's strange for mature bucks to be relocating, especially during the fall.

We have the exact scenario playing out at our place and are trying to figure out what the reason(s) could be. Coincidentally, our biggest and most mature buck has virtually disappeared since the new buck showed up.

We draw new deer in the fall for several reasons:

First, the 60 acres of NWSGs become more appealing as temps cool and leaves start falling. The NWSGs become better cover than the surrounding woods.
Second, our food plots become more desirable as the beans on surrounding farms get harvested
Third, we hold an abundance of does, so as breeding season approaches, we generally gain some new bucks.

But, I'm in the same boat as you. The deer I wanted to hunt is now gone........

 

[Bill]

He has the facial expression of the bull I walk by on the way to stand.
Good luck with him. Don’t give up on the other deer. I’ve had them leave for months only to return.

If he hasn't been on your property before and just showed up now, I wonder what caused him to relocate? A bigger and/or more dominate buck took over his home range, or he found a better spot to call home? It's strange for mature bucks to be relocating, especially during the fall.

We have the exact scenario playing out at our place and are trying to figure out what the reason(s) could be. Coincidentally, our biggest and most mature buck has virtually disappeared since the new buck showed up.

I get a shift every fall. What were once summer bucks vanish. Not all, but some. My son is on stand after one now. Literally a mile from where he spent the summer. Gone for most of October but showed up this week a mile away.

 

[Bassattackr]

Native - Very cool! I know you have quite a few photos on here but what do you typically have in your fall food plots? Just curious, from another plot nerd..

 

[Native Hunter]

Native - Very cool! I know you have quite a few photos on here but what do you typically have in your fall food plots? Just curious, from another plot nerd..

Red Clover, White Clover and Chicory are the backbone of my food plots. When I plant a new plot I add wheat as my nurse crop, and deer hit it really hard. I've never had much luck with brassicas until this year when I mixed in some rape. They took well to it but totally ignore turnips and barely nibble on radishes.

This fall in my newly planted plots I also added a small amount of summer annuals like soybeans and cowpeas. I knew that the frost would get them, but wanted a little instant attraction.

Right now my neighbor has 70 acres of browned beans still standing. The deer are fat here because of the abundance of food and low deer numbers.