Look for Water
Water sources are excellent hunting grounds during the fall season , especially early fall and in areas where the weather is still warm . Deer have very specific feeding patterns , and they don ’ t deviate from their source of water , and they don ' t deviate from their source of water ; the heat causes rapid dehydration . Where there is water , there are deer .
Nowhere near a water source ? That ’ s fine . Try digging an artificial watering hole and fill it up , or let the rain do its job , and eventually deer will show up . Be sure to do this on your property in the summer , so that the area has time to settle , and the deer are able to find it on their own accord . You can follow up with food plots or scent lures as well , to attract them to the site so they know it is there .
A water source that is completely surrounded by trees and has good cover is ideal for hunting that big buck . Bucks will be traveling , sometimes in small groups , and as they shed and the dry periods are still heavy in the southern parts , they ’ ll be looking for a secluded place to cool off and take a drink . Set up your bow stand here and wait . The patterns will appear , the amount of droppings and nuzzle holes will start to increase , and soon you ’ ll spot the perfect big boy to take down .
Be Tech-Savvy
Trail cameras can be tricky to use , simply because so many people either misuse them or don ’ t know how to properly set them up at all . If you ’ ve got a system going with your trail cameras that works for you in the fall ( especially early fall ) then don ’ t stop ; keep doing what you ’ re doing . If you are a hunter looking for a new technique or perhaps instruction on how to start incorporating trail cameras into your hunt , then try these methods :
Set up your trail cameras near proper food sources , or developed food plots . You don ’ t want your camera deep in the thick of the woods , where a mature buck will most likely only wander to , rather than keeping a pattern . In order to track the buck ’ s habits , his movements and his routine , you ’ re going to want to place your camera up in the trees where the acorns are starting to drop . Acorns , as we know , are to deer , like Planters mixes are to humans . They ’ re just delicious . And the deer will be after them during this season .
Track slow . Most of your decent images and sightings will be in the darkness of night , with plenty of coverage , so watch them for a while to see what kind of pattern develops . You ’ ll have to be sure to shoot at last light , just before the time runs out , because the big buck won ’ t move into the area until dusk . If you don ’ t get the chance then , it ’ s not time wasted . You know the pattern , and you can set out acorns and lures alike , to attract the buck back every time .
60 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors