Mature Bucks:

[loneranger]

When the rut is on mature bucks come out. Can be anywhere,,any time of the day? Providing does have been there, right? I have read mature bucks take the brush, and cover, even checking for does. So place stands, back in the cover,,near fields, and open areas, back in "staging areas", in cover. Now the biggest buck I saw this season, was walking up a well used trail right in the open. Not an open field mind you, but open area none the less. I had him pegged at 4 yrs old. Was that just a lucky sighting or do they roam most anywhere when love-sick. Possibly 5 yr olds and on up are smarter.

 

[Crimson Arrows]

I am not sure if they get smarter or just more paranoid as they get older, but the mistakes they make this time of year seem to make one wonder? In any case, all bets are off during the rut and they will go about anywhere their nose tells them. I think your statements would be more applicable outside the rut but it is not at all uncommon to see them in the WIDE open this time of year. I have seen them in driveways, golf courses, standing in a major hwy ditch waiting for his lady etc.

That is the trouble in that many are difficult to pattern this time of year and bucks show up from other farms without rhyme or reason.

 

[loneranger]

So,,,,that being said, huntyak,sitting on any well used trail, that does use, from bed, to food,,is a good bet. You don't need to be down in the brush, or back in the thick stuff,,although there might be an older one back in there. During the RUT,that is. During Nov. that is.

 

[Crimson Arrows]

So many possibilities and scenarios but as a rule, I try to hunt the does this time of year and use terrian funnels MUCH more than sign as they will be traveling great distances and their ability to get from point A to B, the fastest and safest way possible is a good bet. Ditch crossings, brushy fencelines connecting two blockls of timber, saddles, and pinch points. My favorite is a funnel BETWEEN doe bedding areas on a morning hunt. I am more afraid however of busting does out at this time of year than bucks.

You will miss alot of action being back in the think stuff this time of year although the bucks will often hole up with a doe when he has a hot one in these areas but so tough to hunt. Those areas are better early and late, IF you can get in and out WITHOUT busting deer. Tough to do:0

The does seem to get SICK of being chased by the young bucks on food sources and dont show up as much it seems in the evenings. But, the bucks know they can find does around food sources and often will check these places out. I have killed a couple off decoys this way as nobody likes competition when looking for a date and you can draw the attention of bucks as the 'aimlessly" cross a field looking for the next doe.

As the end of November nears, sitting rub lines and travel corridors will be good again as the big bucks will be looking for the last reamining does. Again, that is simply how I hunt but many here can help you and give their advice as we all hunt different and there is no 'right' way. Trial and error buddy...I have learned more from mistakes and LONG sits than any success

 

[dbltree]

I'm not sure this is helpful in regards to actually killing a mature buck but I see them all the time traveling thru open pastures, field edges etc. this time of year.

They start to run out of does to breed and they just travel the easiest quickest routes cross country. The problem is that for many of them it's a one time deal as they make a mad dash in search of.

My trail cameras reveal the same unless of course one is fortunate enough to own large tracts of unmolested property.

From thru early December I get pics of mature bucks on a mission, one time and if your not there when they go thru...

Creeks and fencelines leading between bedding areas are two places I have noticed a high % of mature buck travel but little doe movement.

Boring sit but it can be productive...