How do I get the bucks out of hiding

[Damon]

Im from Houghton Lake Michigan and am having trouble finding bucks. Does are just too many. In the past 4 days I've had up to 12 does at a time around my deerstand on private property. Where's the bucks?? I have stayed at that hunting sight from sun up to sun down and all there is are does.
In my area it is buck only hunting.
There has to be bucks around because of the new yearlings.

[bigjohn316]

why don't you ask the outdoor writers. They all say to hunt the does in the rut, because the bucks want does, so hunt the does. But your not seeing any.

So you got me? Your lucky your seeing deer. maybe try rattling and grunting or somethin like that.

[fisheater]

I have had that very problem before seeing nothing but does,used to say I was hunting the nursery because of so many does with thier fawns.In NC we can bait and the problem was I was hunting the corn piles to much.The does are the first to come in to eat sometimes following thier yearlings and fawns in,they have yet to be shot at over corn.The does seem to put up with more human contact than the older bucks and during the rut the bucks swing downwind of the does in the feeding areas checking for one in heat.So maybe your bucks are doing just that out of sight of the does,if you are seeing the does feeding and seem at ease it may be a location they have found where they can feed without being harassed by rutty bucks.I would try dropping back down wind to see what is going on in that area or try hunting bottlenecks,funnels and trails leading to your current hunting area.Also you may have a dominant buck there that is keeping all other bucks run out,I have seen this too if this is the case you have to hope he's not old and wise moving only at night.I have noticed where the coyotes stay in a certain thicket during the day the does will not go there much but that old buck will hang in there with them cause they can't get him like they can the fawns

[DouglasSpear]

Hunt near bedding areas and deer trails leading up to the fields or gathering spots. I'd also say use a scent drag with some doe estrus on it leading to your stand. Make sure to reapply the scent every 20-30 yards.

[ChrisV]

In the area if there is to much pressure put on the deer population they will end up just going nocturnal. Thats why the big bucks get that way except when the rut comes and the loose all sense what they are doing... try some of the buck lures they might have a shot at getting those big bucks out of hiding.

good luck

[HossBuckMaster]

If you have private land and a decent bit of it, I would recommend taking several does off the property. I would also forego taking any small bucks (2.5 years old or younger). Balancing the herd and the buck to doe ratio will help you have more sightings of bucks, especially during the rut. Typically, a management plan such as the one mentioned above will take some time to make an impact....the key is to stick to it for the long term as changes will not happen overnight. The benefit comes when the herd starts to become more balanced....with proper food sources, excellent bedding areas, decent genetics, a more balanced deer herd etc., you should be set to grow some decent deer. In terms of the bucks that are hiding within your property now, set up along pinch points that are near or ideally between bedding and feeding areas. Find the does and you will find the bucks eventually.

[baysider]

If you have private land and a decent bit of it, I would recommend taking several does off the property. I would also forego taking any small bucks (2.5 years old or younger). Balancing the herd and the buck to doe ratio will help you have more sightings of bucks, especially during the rut. Typically, a management plan such as the one mentioned above will take some time to make an impact....the key is to stick to it for the long term as changes will not happen overnight. The benefit comes when the herd starts to become more balanced....with proper food sources, excellent bedding areas, decent genetics, a more balanced deer herd etc., you should be set to grow some decent deer. In terms of the bucks that are hiding within your property now, set up along pinch points that are near or ideally between bedding and feeding areas. Find the does and you will find the bucks eventually.

This is exactly what we are doing on our land and the surrounding farms. This will be the second year at it and we still havent put a dent in the does. The bucks are becoming more available though. We still take the "cull" bucks out that have nasty racks, but other than that we let all the other bucks go unless they are to be put on the wall. Saturday is the first day of shotgun here....let the doe shoot begin!!

[feedercams]

If you find out the answer you let me know. That is the million dollar question.

LStout
FeederCams.com

[northernINdeer]

This year al the bucks I have seen haven't been at sun up. I've seen a bunch in the round 2 run around 9:00 to 10:00 or so. When spotting them it was them with their heads straight to the ground tracking does that passed through earlier that morning. Definitely try some scents to lure them in. I've watched bucks gallop across a 100 acre corn field downwind of me smelling some doe estrus scent. Give it a shot and try the dragging process too. Good luck


Hard work, dedication, and patience will one day be rewarded

[baysider]

Ive been seeing more deer while cleaning ducks and other deer at the barn around noon. They have been feeding and crossing the fields. they are moving more mid day i think than they used to. Maybe they have figured out thatw e hunt in the morning and afternoon....

[bowhuntingpro]

Could be hunting pressure has caused the bucks to go nocturnal.

Also, big bucks get locked down with hot does and will hold up for days at a time while breeding. Not all the does are hot at the same time, most likely the ones you are seeing are finished breeding.

I'd also suspect you have a high ratio of does where you hunt. Sounds like you need to thin them out a little to create more competition for the bucks.

Realistically, it's probably a combination of all these things and just a little bad luck that's all. Keep persistent and don't give up.

[parklandgroupoh]

Well, I would have to agree that years of being hunted would give some of the older remaining bucks a little more wisdom. I guess you will have to perfect your tracking skills or just be content with hunting does forever. LOL!
This reminds me of this pal I have that had five years with nothing but does. We are actually planning a trip for next month on some vacant land for sale of all places and maybe we will be able to post some nice buck pics for you guys.