Post by: fireweed on June 15, 2012, 10:12:28 AM
Post by: PolarBear on June 15, 2012, 10:20:44 AM
Post by: 3nails on June 15, 2012, 10:31:34 AM
Post by: bradslam on June 15, 2012, 10:35:21 AM
The best avise that I can give you, it seems you have already discounted. Waiting out whities is far and above the best way to get a big one. This is from 40 years experience hunting them. :twocents:
Ditto. The bucks there will be hanging in the thick brush. Don't expect to wander around and get a decent shot off. For that tag, so much will depend on the weather. If its too nice, they could be almost completely nocturnal. Most likely, your best chance will be stand hunting and rattling.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 15, 2012, 10:39:19 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on June 15, 2012, 11:03:22 AM
Post by: Buckmark on June 15, 2012, 11:25:30 AM
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Post by: CP on June 15, 2012, 11:31:00 AM
Post by: smdave on June 15, 2012, 11:35:08 AM
Yep, sitting in a tree is usually the best method for whitetail. Save the spot and stalk for mule deer, they are slower and have lower IQs. :chuckle:
My observations are a Whitetails nature is to run (to the next county) when it is scared or spooked, a Mule deer runs off 100 yards then stops and looks back to see what it was that spooked them.
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 11:36:12 AM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on June 15, 2012, 11:44:06 AM
Post by: coachcw on June 15, 2012, 12:56:20 PM
Post by: ellensburgpo on June 15, 2012, 12:59:32 PM
[/quote]
X2
I would add that I have also seen mature bucks hold somewhere tighter then a pheasant if they think they haven't been seen and the danger is going to walk by. But once spooked, I've never seen a whitetail stop and look back.
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 01:23:26 PM
My observations are a Whitetails nature is to run (to the next county) when it is scared or spooked, a Mule deer runs off 100 yards then stops and looks back to see what it was that spooked them.
X2
I would add that I have also seen mature bucks hold somewhere tighter then a pheasant if they think they haven't been seen and the danger is going to walk by. But once spooked, I've never seen a whitetail stop and look back.
[/quote]
This is different from back east. Unless they get two senses of you, back east they usually stop and then get curious and often come back. Not as much the bucks as the does, but I've had bucks do it, too.
Post by: buckfvr on June 15, 2012, 02:02:14 PM
Post by: SkookumHntr on June 15, 2012, 02:11:40 PM
Post by: CP on June 15, 2012, 02:12:38 PM
But once spooked, I've never seen a whitetail stop and look back.
Sometimes, if they haven’t been pressured too much, they will stop in response to a whistle, howl or a grunt. But they catch on to that trick pretty quickly.
Post by: CP on June 15, 2012, 02:13:58 PM
What about hunting out of a ground blind? Anybody try that?
Ground blinds can work but getting higher increases your visibility and helps disperse your scent.
Post by: Chesapeake on June 15, 2012, 02:17:58 PM
Everyone I've seen or busted hit the cover running, not stotting like a mule deer, but running, never looked back, and didnt stop or break cover while in my sight.
Kind of funny to watch for a mule deer and blacktail hunter.
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:22:51 PM
My observations are a Whitetails nature is to run (to the next county) when it is scared or spooked, a Mule deer runs off 100 yards then stops and looks back to see what it was that spooked them.
X2
I would add that I have also seen mature bucks hold somewhere tighter then a pheasant if they think they haven't been seen and the danger is going to walk by. But once spooked, I've never seen a whitetail stop and look back.
This is different from back east. Unless they get two senses of you, back east they usually stop and then get curious and often come back. Not as much the bucks as the does, but I've had bucks do it, too.
[/quote]
I'm not sure where you hunted back east...but in northern NH and NW Maine, the deer don't ever "come back" or stop and get curious. Maybe 1 out of 10 will stop after they are in some thick brush... maybe. Most hunting back there is done by tracking, or still hunting. I'm guessing you hunted more around the Mass line and southern NH/ME...?
I have found that still hunting and covering some ground in WA works fairly well. If you find a high traffic area while hunting, then sit and wait for a while. If you don't, keep moving and make something happen. It works, but you've got to be on your toes. Don't count on having that perfect broadside shot with the deer standing still though.
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:32:11 PM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 02:33:28 PM
My observations are a Whitetails nature is to run (to the next county) when it is scared or spooked, a Mule deer runs off 100 yards then stops and looks back to see what it was that spooked them.
X2
I would add that I have also seen mature bucks hold somewhere tighter then a pheasant if they think they haven't been seen and the danger is going to walk by. But once spooked, I've never seen a whitetail stop and look back.
This is different from back east. Unless they get two senses of you, back east they usually stop and then get curious and often come back. Not as much the bucks as the does, but I've had bucks do it, too.
I'm not sure where you hunted back east...but in northern NH and NW Maine, the deer don't ever "come back" or stop and get curious. Maybe 1 out of 10 will stop after they are in some thick brush... maybe. Most hunting back there is done by tracking, or still hunting. I'm guessing you hunted more around the Mass line and southern NH/ME...?
I have found that still hunting and covering some ground in WA works fairly well. If you find a high traffic area while hunting, then sit and wait for a while. If you don't, keep moving and make something happen. It works, but you've got to be on your toes. Don't count on having that perfect broadside shot with the deer standing still though.
[/quote]
Miles, Northern NH and ME is where I hunted. Colebrook, Stark, and Moosehead lake near Greenville. Whitetails have come back to me several times resulting in the ultimate demise.
Maybe I'm just better at it than you! :chuckle:
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:37:07 PM
Did you bathe in applesauce?
What years did you hunt that area? Got any pics of the bucks?
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 02:39:06 PM
Maybe... :chuckle:
Did you bathe in applesauce?
What years did you hunt that area? Got any pics of the bucks?
Nope, no pics. I hunted in NH and Me for about 30 years until I moved out here.
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 02:41:09 PM
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:46:54 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 02:49:46 PM
Post by: smdave on June 15, 2012, 02:50:08 PM
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:51:16 PM
Here are last years opening morning deer both shot before 9:00am public land. Going in before light and watching known paths.
Nice bucks!
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:53:48 PM
That's a beautiful buck. congrats to your dad. I've never done a mount. I've only shot one buck back there worthy of it and didn't have it done.
Me either, I'm a big fan of the Euro mounts and thought I had dad converted over...then he went ahead and had another mount done.
Post by: Miles on June 15, 2012, 02:55:17 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 15, 2012, 02:57:48 PM
Post by: Russ McDonald on June 15, 2012, 03:44:25 PM
Post by: bigpaw 77 on June 15, 2012, 03:52:41 PM
Post by: fireweed on June 18, 2012, 09:58:09 AM
Post by: ihuntforchrist on June 18, 2012, 04:36:16 PM
I have noticed that it is very difficult to sneak attack the deer out here. the terrain and vegetation isn't conducive to spot and stalk where i hunt. I have been lucky back home and jumped a few deer and was able to shoot them on the run, but most of the deer i've killed has been from stand hunting.
As for ground hunting. I think everyone would agree that its not as effective as sitting in a tree, but it definitely can be done. Ground blinds are nice when the weather is bad, but otherwise i just use natural cover.
you will be hunting during the rut so setting up near a water source will help. If you find a trail that is being used be does, a buck will eventually walk down that trail too. I would also look into using scents. I have lured in some really nice bucks using James Valley Scents, but not quite close enough for bow range.
If you're hunting all day during the rut i would find good travel corridors for the morning and afternoon sits, then meander around near water and bedding areas around mid day. You have to be careful when walking around, like others have said, once you spook a whitetail your chances of seeing it again go WAY WAY down. Which is why i prefer a subtle approach and try not to disturb the area i'm in. Even if a deer smells humans in an area once, it will always be on edge. they are very sensitive to pressure so be careful.
Bottom line, through low impact scouting, find an area that deer live, then find their food and their bedding areas(this is usually where they get up and run away from you) and then sit and let the deer gods decide if you kill tonight or not.
good luck to ya.
Post by: SkookumHntr on June 18, 2012, 05:57:20 PM
Post by: 3nails on June 18, 2012, 06:07:57 PM
Post by: Wacenturion on June 18, 2012, 06:18:20 PM
So are whitetail still skiddish during the rut like a blacktail? Mule deer are as dumb as a post and dont care about anything but the does, whitetail arnt like that? I have no clue, never been around them during November.. :dunno:
If with a hot doe....where she goes he goes. If she stands 30 ft in front of you and looks at you ....he will be 30 ft in front of you looking at her.
One good piece of advice I can give you is that if you are hunting a nice buck tending a doe and you still hunting or sitting in an area where you have seen them before, do not rush to shoot unless you see the doe or you know it's the tending buck.
May sound strange but I really screwed up one year while looking into a bowl knowing a bruiser tending a doe was coming out in front of me shortly only to have the buck appear. Knew it was a buck and assumed it was him. Looking down at the angle I had I just saw antler. Any other angle and I would have know immediately it was not the buck I was waiting on. Big ground shrinkage...it was a satellite buck trying to hone in on the hot doe.....and I knew better. Instead of laying out what we were sure was an 180 class buck as we had seen him two days earlier, I laid out his baby brother. :chuckle:
Whitetails are absolutely the best, but they tend to make you do stupid things, like what I mentioned above. As long as I have hunted them, they still make me laugh at some of the outcomes.
Find the does and you'll definitely find some bucks during the rut. Patience is your friend.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on June 18, 2012, 06:40:52 PM
Well I grew up hunting WT in Minnesota. Usually stand hunting. That seems to be the best way to get them. I did alot of road hunting and walking through the woods but usually when you see them they already spotted you. I have never seen a white tail stop after it has been spooked but I know a few years back my brother took two shot at a big one with his bow. First shot he got his release stuck in his face mask and shanked the shot and shot the tail off the buck. My brother said the deer just started looking around like what the hell was that. He nocked another arrow and end of story. Here is the pic if you look to the left you will see the tail he shot off.Nice buck Russ !! :tup: :tup:
Post by: Russ McDonald on June 18, 2012, 06:53:34 PM
Post by: Russ McDonald on June 18, 2012, 06:54:51 PM
Don't want to take credit for it. That is my brothers buck.Well I grew up hunting WT in Minnesota. Usually stand hunting. That seems to be the best way to get them. I did alot of road hunting and walking through the woods but usually when you see them they already spotted you. I have never seen a white tail stop after it has been spooked but I know a few years back my brother took two shot at a big one with his bow. First shot he got his release stuck in his face mask and shanked the shot and shot the tail off the buck. My brother said the deer just started looking around like what the hell was that. He nocked another arrow and end of story. Here is the pic if you look to the left you will see the tail he shot off.Nice buck Russ !! :tup: :tup:
Post by: ihuntforchrist on June 18, 2012, 09:16:23 PM
if you have time to watch hours of sweet informational whitetail hunting vids i would check out http://www.midwestwhitetail.com/ (http://www.midwestwhitetail.com/) I've learned more from this show than any other. Bill clearly knows how to kill whitetail. Granted he doesn't hunt in the mountains, which adds a 4th degree.
on another note, regardless of the weapon i'm using, i always hunt as though i have a bow in my hand. I notice that when i'm bow hunting i have tons of deer in shotgun/rifle range, and only a few in bow range. When i've setup 70-100 yds off a trail i tend to have deer at the outer limits of my gun range. Basically deer are difficult to pattern to an exact trail, but will tend to travel near/around that trail.
Post by: 3nails on June 18, 2012, 09:34:46 PM
i disagree that whitetail lose their minds during the rut. They are dumber, but by no means dumb. They still understand where they place on the food chain. If you pressure them too much when they aren't chasing does they will likely leave the area and find hot does elsewhere. I can't stress the importance of not being detected EVER.I think you've probably killed a few nice ones, brother! Let's see some pics. Like the one in your avatar!
if you have time to watch hours of sweet informational whitetail hunting vids i would check out http://www.midwestwhitetail.com/ (http://www.midwestwhitetail.com/) I've learned more from this show than any other. Bill clearly knows how to kill whitetail. Granted he doesn't hunt in the mountains, which adds a 4th degree.
on another note, regardless of the weapon i'm using, i always hunt as though i have a bow in my hand. I notice that when i'm bow hunting i have tons of deer in shotgun/rifle range, and only a few in bow range. When i've setup 70-100 yds off a trail i tend to have deer at the outer limits of my gun range. Basically deer are difficult to pattern to an exact trail, but will tend to travel near/around that trail.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on June 18, 2012, 10:12:03 PM
Learn to bleat, grunt, and rattle. ;)
I've tried the bleat, grunt, and rattle on the Whiteys in NE Washington. They don't seem to respond to it there. I found that watching the wind and being quiet worked best. I've heard the deer themsleves rattle and crash when they spar and fight, but they seem to ignore other deer sounds for some reason. Maybe they are just spookier--the muzzle loader season does come right after the modern hunt. :twocents:
Post by: AKBowman on June 18, 2012, 10:21:10 PM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
I wouldnt say "anyone" can sit on stand for hours or days on end. In my experience it is a hell of a lot harder to sit on stand than it is to still hunt. For me the "hunt" in stand hunting is everything that goes into stand hunting and not really the shooting part. For exemple learning the animals patterns, general wind directions, how rutting activity changes deer patterns, where do go to feed when the wind is blowing in an odd direction, where they go when its cold, rainy, hot, dry etc, etc. All of these variables can cause a person to second guess their stand location and bail off onto the ground for a still hunt. For me its easier to hunt from the ground (less productive, but easier) I wouldnt say its more fun than stand hunting...either way stand hunting is definitely hunting.
Post by: huntnnw on June 19, 2012, 12:33:14 AM
Post by: brackens on June 19, 2012, 07:42:51 AM
Post by: ihuntforchrist on June 19, 2012, 05:02:34 PM
[/quote]
i'm sorry. I lost all the files of the photos when my old computer crashed. I'm working on getting the files back.
I've killed some deer but only have two nice ones on the wall. The one in my avatar is a 138" 10 point (5x5 for you westerners ;) ) from Wa 2010. i also killed another 135" buck in wi. I'm slowly adding to the count. It doesn't help that i can only kill 1 deer/year in Wa. A far cry from the 4-5 average back in the deer woods of wi.
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 19, 2012, 11:04:00 PM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
1. I would beg to differ that "Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.". Most people I know can't sit still for more than an hour or two in good weather..much less freezing weather.
2. Even if you can sit still on a game trail for hours on end it doesn't mean you are going to be successful. There is more to it than that it most cases.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
4. Tracking is certainly skill based and one of the purest forms of hunting I can imagine but generally the conditions have to be right for this successful in a hunting scenario. I have been through a couple tracking courses and even the best trackers I have seen aren't going to track down a mature whitetail in the woods of NE Washington on any consistent basis. If you know a guy that does please let me know because I would love to interview him for story.
5. Stillhunting is just another kind of hunting and no more or less challenging than sitting in a stand all day.....almost anybody can walking through the woods slowly and stop, look and listen.... of course that is oversimplifying still hunting in the same manner your over simplifying stand hunting. They are both hunting tactics..nothing more nothing less.
6. If most general season hunters would sit still for a while then I believe they would achieve a much high success rate on whitetail. The ones I do see walking around certainly aren't tracking and they definitely aren't still hunting.....they are "walking through the woods"
Post by: huntnnw on June 20, 2012, 06:22:57 AM
Post by: Miles on June 20, 2012, 07:18:53 AM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
Post by: CP on June 20, 2012, 07:58:02 AM
Post by: ihuntforchrist on June 20, 2012, 09:50:23 AM
Driving around until you see one then jumping out and shooting it is always effective. Now that’s real hunting, like the pioneers did it, only they drove wagons.
fact, but frowned upon these days
Post by: PolarBear on June 20, 2012, 09:57:11 AM
Driving around until you see one then jumping out and shooting it is always effective. Now that’s real hunting, like the pioneers did it, only they drove wagons.That's how they hunted Injuns, not deer. :chuckle:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 20, 2012, 10:26:57 AM
I learned that it is not necessary to stop the rig or even turn off the engine.... just rolling down the wiindow is sufficient. Besides we all know the deer will just stand there and look until the car door opens... :bdid:Driving around until you see one then jumping out and shooting it is always effective. Now that’s real hunting, like the pioneers did it, only they drove wagons.That's how they hunted Injuns, not deer. :chuckle:
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 20, 2012, 10:37:00 AM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
I heard of the Benoit Family in the 80's and you likely didn't hear much about them before that because while hunting and whitetail have always been popular the craze didn't really begin until the 80's.
I agree the Benoit's aren't the end all be all when it comes to tracking....but when you say "MANY"..... I would say by what measure??? Unless 99.9% of successful trackers shun any publicity what so ever (which isn't highly likely considering human nature) I can say fairly confidently that there aren't a large percentage of hunters using tracking to consistently kill mature bucks.
That being said during this past general season (and most general season before that) I can personally only think of a few days that would have been conducive to this style of whitetail hunting...even in the mountains. It's nearly impossible to track them and hunt them at the same time with no snow. I can track or I can hunt but it's nearly impossible to do both. If I am tracking with no snow I am focused far too much on the track (which may turn out to be impossible to follow anyway). If I am hunting I am simply still hunting and certainly not following the track.
When I was younger and hunted with modern firearm I did a lot of still hunting and found it to be very effective for killing animals. However, I can't say it was any harder than stand hunting and for most people I personally believe it is easier.
Post by: Miles on June 20, 2012, 11:11:14 AM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
I heard of the Benoit Family in the 80's and you likely didn't hear much about them before that because while hunting and whitetail have always been popular the craze didn't really begin until the 80's.
I agree the Benoit's aren't the end all be all when it comes to tracking....but when you say "MANY"..... I would say by what measure??? Unless 99.9% of successful trackers shun any publicity what so ever (which isn't highly likely considering human nature) I can say fairly confidently that there aren't a large percentage of hunters using tracking to consistently kill mature bucks.
You sir have obviously never stepped foot in the north woods of NH or Maine during the month of November. Spend a hunting season there, then get back to me with your "fairly confident" assessment.
I'm curious as to how you heard about the Benoit family in the 80's?
Post by: Buckmark on June 20, 2012, 11:33:11 AM
The OP stated he has never hunted Whitetails before, was not going to sit in a tree and yet wanted advice.
Sitting still (not in a tree) seems to be the most common answer, so must work, does still hunting work, sure but if you hunt them like you hunt mulies your odds will go down.
He is not familiar with whiteys, has not hunted the unit (i think) and as far as i remember unit 224 is not a hotbed of whitey bucks (I hunt further east than that) so finding good sign/trails/doe's/feed and sitting on it should put the odds in his favor.
I know for me when i started chasing whitetails and applied my mulies tactics to them it just did not work, but when i switched up and started stand hunting (ie: sitting still) my success increased, although i am bow hunting which does change things.
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 20, 2012, 11:43:20 AM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
I heard of the Benoit Family in the 80's and you likely didn't hear much about them before that because while hunting and whitetail have always been popular the craze didn't really begin until the 80's.
I agree the Benoit's aren't the end all be all when it comes to tracking....but when you say "MANY"..... I would say by what measure??? Unless 99.9% of successful trackers shun any publicity what so ever (which isn't highly likely considering human nature) I can say fairly confidently that there aren't a large percentage of hunters using tracking to consistently kill mature bucks.
You sir have obviously never stepped foot in the north woods of NH or Maine during the month of November. Spend a hunting season there, then get back to me with your "fairly confident" assessment.
I'm curious as to how you heard about the Benoit family in the 80's?
It is true that I have never stepped foot in the woods of Maine or NH during the month of Nov. It will take 2-3 years but I will take you up on that and make it a point to visit those woods during the month of November. I have always wanted to hunt Maine.
I read about them in a magazine. I honestly can't remember which publication but I know I hadn't killed a deer yet so it had to be 1987 or before. If I remember correctly the article was primarily about Larry
I know for a fact Larry Benoit has been in national publications since the early 70's and possibly earlier.
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 20, 2012, 11:47:39 AM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
I'm curious as to how you heard about the Benoit family in the 80's?
.......I have read almost every issue of North American Whitetail, Buckmasters and Deer and Deer Hunting since 1985 so if its been publicized in one of those magazines then I have probably read it.
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 20, 2012, 12:03:33 PM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
I heard of the Benoit Family in the 80's and you likely didn't hear much about them before that because while hunting and whitetail have always been popular the craze didn't really begin until the 80's.
I agree the Benoit's aren't the end all be all when it comes to tracking....but when you say "MANY"..... I would say by what measure??? Unless 99.9% of successful trackers shun any publicity what so ever (which isn't highly likely considering human nature) I can say fairly confidently that there aren't a large percentage of hunters using tracking to consistently kill mature bucks.
You sir have obviously never stepped foot in the north woods of NH or Maine during the month of November. Spend a hunting season there, then get back to me with your "fairly confident" assessment.
I'm curious as to how you heard about the Benoit family in the 80's?
Here is an article where a guy is talking about seeing Larry Benoit in Sports Afield in 1972 and discussing Larry's 1975 book.
http://www.buckhuntersblog.com/how-to-bag-the-biggest-buck-of-your-life-book-review
Here is a photo of the Benoit family that appeared in a 1970 issue of Sports Afield.
http://www.wildernesstrader.com/Benoit%20Info/Meet%20Larry.htm
Post by: huntnnw on June 20, 2012, 10:36:49 PM
I learned that it is not necessary to stop the rig or even turn off the engine.... just rolling down the wiindow is sufficient. Besides we all know the deer will just stand there and look until the car door opens... :bdid:Driving around until you see one then jumping out and shooting it is always effective. Now that’s real hunting, like the pioneers did it, only they drove wagons.That's how they hunted Injuns, not deer. :chuckle:
Chris u forgot a crucial step..u first have to set your beer down
Post by: PolarBear on June 20, 2012, 11:32:32 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 21, 2012, 09:27:08 AM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on June 21, 2012, 10:15:27 AM
Post by: Miles on June 21, 2012, 10:20:42 AM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
I heard of the Benoit Family in the 80's and you likely didn't hear much about them before that because while hunting and whitetail have always been popular the craze didn't really begin until the 80's.
I agree the Benoit's aren't the end all be all when it comes to tracking....but when you say "MANY"..... I would say by what measure??? Unless 99.9% of successful trackers shun any publicity what so ever (which isn't highly likely considering human nature) I can say fairly confidently that there aren't a large percentage of hunters using tracking to consistently kill mature bucks.
You sir have obviously never stepped foot in the north woods of NH or Maine during the month of November. Spend a hunting season there, then get back to me with your "fairly confident" assessment.
I'm curious as to how you heard about the Benoit family in the 80's?
It is true that I have never stepped foot in the woods of Maine or NH during the month of Nov. It will take 2-3 years but I will take you up on that and make it a point to visit those woods during the month of November. I have always wanted to hunt Maine.
That's cool. We can discuss this again in 2-3 years then. Here's some advice for when you make it to Maine....
Go the last 10 days of the rifle season.
Expect to not see many deer...the population is nothing like it is in Eastern Wa.
Be the first one on the woods roads if it snows.
Find a track that is worth following.
Follow it till it ends.
Shoot the buck.
Drag it out, and head for a tagging station.
That's how it's done there.
As for the original poster... Sorry for jacking your thread. Advice would be to get out, do a little scouting, find some vantage points, watch areas that are being used. As it gets closer to thanksgiving week, use a grunt call and try rattling. Sometimes one or the other will bring a buck out of hiding. If it rains, get out there and find them. Still hunting works, I've shot many whitetails while on the move. Just use all methods possible, and your odds of harvesting a buck increase.
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 21, 2012, 12:57:43 PM
Take a walk if you want to see whiteails.
Sit still if you want to kill whitetails.
As told to me by a wise old man, with lots of nice whitetail racks on the wall.
Dont get wrong i have killed bucks still hunting, also have been waved goodbye to alot.
Cute saying, but I grew up with someone who would laugh at the idea of sitting in a tree all day waiting for a whitetail. There were plenty of 140+ bucks hanging on the wall as well. Still hunting/tracking is a lot more than just "walking through the woods". I'm glad that he never brought me out in the woods to sit in a tree and call it hunting. To me that's just "waiting". There's a lot more to be learned by still hunting (in my opinion). Anyone can find a game trail and sit on it for hours/days on end.
3. The Benoit family has certainly had an influence on hunters in the NE US but I have found that few are as effective as they are in using their techniques.
That's like a guy from the east coast saying that Cameron Hanes had an influence on backcountry hunting, but few are as effective as he is. Give me a break....
The Benoits didn't gain popularity until the mid to late 90's. There are MANY hunters that are easily as successful at tracking as they are, they're just not looking for publicity. The Benoits didn't start this type of hunting, they just marketed it to the hunting public. Have you ever looked for hunters in the NE US that are successful at tracking?
I heard of the Benoit Family in the 80's and you likely didn't hear much about them before that because while hunting and whitetail have always been popular the craze didn't really begin until the 80's.
I agree the Benoit's aren't the end all be all when it comes to tracking....but when you say "MANY"..... I would say by what measure??? Unless 99.9% of successful trackers shun any publicity what so ever (which isn't highly likely considering human nature) I can say fairly confidently that there aren't a large percentage of hunters using tracking to consistently kill mature bucks.
You sir have obviously never stepped foot in the north woods of NH or Maine during the month of November. Spend a hunting season there, then get back to me with your "fairly confident" assessment.
I'm curious as to how you heard about the Benoit family in the 80's?
It is true that I have never stepped foot in the woods of Maine or NH during the month of Nov. It will take 2-3 years but I will take you up on that and make it a point to visit those woods during the month of November. I have always wanted to hunt Maine.
That's cool. We can discuss this again in 2-3 years then. Here's some advice for when you make it to Maine....
Go the last 10 days of the rifle season.
Expect to not see many deer...the population is nothing like it is in Eastern Wa.
Be the first one on the woods roads if it snows.
Find a track that is worth following.
Follow it till it ends.
Shoot the buck.
Drag it out, and head for a tagging station.
That's how it's done there.
I have heard the populations are low. Is it primarily mature forest or timber land?
Post by: fireweed on June 23, 2012, 05:04:03 PM
As for the original poster... Sorry for jacking your thread. Advice would be to get out, do a little scouting, find some vantage points, watch areas that are being used. As it gets closer to thanksgiving week, use a grunt call and try rattling. Sometimes one or the other will bring a buck out of hiding. If it rains, get out there and find them. Still hunting works, I've shot many whitetails while on the move. Just use all methods possible, and your odds of harvesting a buck increase.
[/quote]
OK. Thanks for the general WT advice. Sounds like there's lots of passion out there. I'm looking forward to it. Anything specific for bucks in the Pearrygin?