How To Hunt Early Season Bucks

[@Chris.A.133]

Not only are you improving lands for quality hunts & deer herds but you are making one of the best hunting TV shows from stories about buck hunts to education

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Another great reminder for us all. Being from West Virginia my season doesn’t start until September 25th so they will be on the beginning of their fall pattern. I have a couple good bucks on camera but I know that they won’t be there come season. Thank you for sharing. 🏹🦌

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Forrest and good luck! Hopefully more will come by later after the shift 😊

[@stephenkendall6108]

I’m a WV hunter also and have tracked my bow kills for my area and literally pinned down the 7-10 days to take off or hunt a lot and usually by the end of the timeframe somewhere on the properties I hunt I have a decent one down. I’ve not tried it on my land in the mountains it’s a vast monoculture of mature woodland much yet my area is just too hot during that time. But before that time or after it’s ghost town quiet until rut picks up the a few days and that dies down and then I wait for rifle season and the random interlopers as Jeff calls them to stroll through. But it’s funny word has gotten around amongst the deer population and they all follow the same scent check pattern which I’m finally figuring out my prevailing winds and using that to my advantage well.

[@jasonatkins1095]

I'm a new but older bowhunter and really enjoy all of your videos. Summer bucks shifting their patterns into fall make so much sense now 🦌

[@andypridgeon5818]

Appreciate the information and point of view. Thank you. I find that as Summer patterns make that shift into Fall patterns (especially for mature bucks) all revolves around the point of the most high quality food. Summer food plots...even in ag rich areas of southern Michigan are key. Does, fawns, and bucks all hit that high quality food as they prepare for Winter. The key I have found is having really high quality food available 365 days a year...and planting food plots that intertwine with bedding and oaks. When building a parcel that contains high quality food, cover, etc...available everyday of the year results in a fantastic herd and incredible hunting.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Unfortunately unless you have quality good and cover during the hunting season, you won't be a deer manager or influencer. Mist areas in the north 2/3rds of the country do not need additional summer food. Unless you have 1000s of acres offering summer food can hurt you the majority of the the time more than help you, in particular when bucks need the opposite forms of cover during the Summer Vs Fall and Winter. Oaks are a very poor habitat for building deer herds but can be a compliment to quality forms of cover. Food plots should never be added in the middle of quality cover as it creates a lack of depth and pushed mature bucks off of lands. Instead food plots should be adjacent to quality holding cover of diversity and hardwood regen. I urge you to watch tomorrow's video to understand what it takes to actually be a true her influencer. Most deer mangers are actually habitat managers, NOT deer managers. Only those who manage deer during the daylight during the Fall are herd managers/deer managers. Everyone else is just a habitat manager. So it all boils back to what you have during the Fall, during the daylight. Kind of a like a zoo keeper with a great zoo...but no animals. He isn't running a zoo, he's running a garden, or a park. Same with those being "deer managers" during the off season...99% have no positive influence over the herd or hunt. Very, very few hunters and landowners are herd influencers...someone who tries to manage deer 365/7 never really can be.

[@andypridgeon5818]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 No disrespect Jeff, but I believe you have made some assumptions regarding my parcel and the surrounding area that aren't accurate. We are very lucky to have high quality food and cover...all year...not just in the Fall. Additionally, our food plots aren't in the "middle" of our cover/bedding area...however they definitely push right up. Agree, Oaks aren't for building a herd/habitat however you would agree they are a massive attraction along with the apple trees as part of an entire deer focused habitat. The entire make up of our parcel contains very high stem count areas, swamp, oak ridges, hardwoods, and even multiple pine stands. It truly is a very diverse setting. As for being a herd influencer, I'm not sure what that fully means...all I can say is from my experience of the past 35 years...is that if I provide high quality food and cover year round...we have an incredible herd, fantastic hunting, and a diverse age structure. As you know, killing a 4+ year old in Michigan is really tough...we do it over and over each year. Again, this is just my experience and understand that everyone has their own story and situation. Thank you!

[@creekriseoutdoors]

Jeff, I’ve been using many of your tips and am encouraged for next Saturday’s bow opener here in Florida. I put my first mock scrape out with your technique several weeks ago and have multiple does coming to it. I had a doe come to it within 2 days of putting it up. Crazy…its just a vine!! No bucks yet but maybe soon as there pattern shifts. Good luck this season and stay safe! Scott

[@williamsimpson5858]

I’m in a high cover setting…I have a little over an acre of plots going pretty well and some timber cuttings on my parcel…very little deer sign as of September 10th…Banking on your concept of whitetail shift and consolidation coming to fruition in a few weeks!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Sounds like food things to come William...I am just starting to get glimpses of some of the big boys...but nothing really consistent. God luck!!

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

Me too!

[@samschmucker5466]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 law h

[@carverhansen3680]

They will come. I’m in the same situation as you are. Over the last 3 years i have noticed once season starts is when I see the bigger bucks.

[@williamsimpson5858]

@@carverhansen3680 I trust Jeff and…thank you! It’s good to hear the timing is working for you as well…I have faith it will work in my setting too…I just lack the track record. It’s all so new to me

[@PatAsbury]

I hunt a public land plot that's bowhunting only. I have trail cams to see if there are any early movers, but tbh I know this spot to be more of a funnel/escape route from private lands that border it. The more pressure in that area the better for me. The thickets and brush are so thick that a 20 yard shot is lucky to find. I won't be sitting those stand areas until the rut picks up. Sitting on the couch for the beginning of the season. 👍

[@austin_423]

Good luck this year

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Good luck to you Austin!!

[@joshlasure3384]

Dang Venti looks really impressive. Wow a buck of a lifetime. I sure hope you get him this year.

[@richstafford1245]

Been utilizing your concepts for about three years. I don’t really get many buck pictures early. I’m glad my season starts in October because September is slow. I can’t really say I ever see a buck on a real summer pattern. I usually don’t have my first sits until mid October when the cameras start to blow up….

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Sounds great Rich...good luck!!

[@flyerzfan10]

Same for me Rich. My property holds a ton of doe. I still haven’t got a picture of a good buck yet. It always seems around Presidents’ Day they start to show up in pictures at night. They are obviously traveling to get to my property. Once the rut comes around i see all kinds of buck.

[@richstafford1245]

@@flyerzfan10 I really don’t have a ton of doe either. I have pretty big AG near by that sucks up most of the deer all summer. Also there is a ton of thick green briars and I don’t think buck can really get in there in velvet. I plant cool season annuals and things shift dramatically when corn and beans are cut and velvet comes off….

[@seldomseen_outdoors]

What a great video for today. Heading out now to hang my last set for the season! Last minute scouting today for the PA Oct 2nd opener 🤙🏻🦌

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Nice....sounds like a great day!! Thank you and good luck 😊

[@mynameisneb]

I'm not a hunter, but I enjoy doing wildlife photography and have learned so much from your videos. As a photographer it's hard to "hunt" on the couch lol, but my brother-in-law and I use the same property and he hunts, so I'm photographing from the couch currently

[@billwall2969]

Good luck this year You got a couple nice Bucks Opener Sept 18 in SE MN I seen your video earlier about the openers but I got to do some doe harvesting ( September Chore ) So this Saturday It is pretty much a full moon but it’s gonna be cloudy Friday night and 64° warming up to 83° so I plan on going out in the morning to hunt the does but staying away from the bucks areas

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

All sounds great Bill...good luck!!

[@TREN_FOR_BREAKFAST]

Man i wish i could retain all the info you put out and know as much as you do about deer hunting etc. ive been hunting for several years now but there is so much i need to learn and remember

[@latishakea2492]

Wise decisions! I can't wait for the season to begin too! Good luck to you!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Latisha, I can't wait to hear how YOU do Latisha 😊

[@latishakea2492]

I was watching your video this morning before I could even wake up fully 😃

[@bradgordon5912]

I like to wait for the food source that the does are using at the end of October when the seeking phase starts to get serious. Often see a buck from a few miles away that I have never seen before that's seeking female companionship. The bucks are more active than and you don't spook them out of their home range. Finding trails converging in and near a funnel between bedding and food source are my kind of ambush points. great video and can't wait to see if your successful this year.

[@alienf9998]

You are so informative. , excellent material here . Love how you explained deer tracks and how to rightly examine them . Good stuff, keep up the excellent work!

[@dswish1730]

And let the naming begin.Great stuff as always..

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Amen D...I love this time of the year!!

[@stokeandspoke1177]

I saw a huge buck on a game camera that I have had out for about 3 weeks. Today I started doing a circle around the area looking for rubs, or any other sign. Any idea if this buck will still be in the area? lots of acorns forming, but I have only seen it the one time on the camera, could have been ducking the camera I suppose

[@stevegermain1222]

Wednesday is the opener going to be very interesting last-minute choice the weather

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Good luck Steve...will be clearing out and then raining here...some good weather patterns of instabikity5 and I can't wait!!

[@Chrisbreezy1979]

I need advice! We here in south east Ky , specifically Harlan county have very little ag. Areas. The mountains here have been logged and strip mines for years and the strip miners have planted grasses back in those areas. Still most of the deer here survive off of natural food! There’s zero farm land here. The mountains are mostly steep and thick. I feel like bucks here don’t have a pattern, they are forced to move or forced to go deeper into the forest. I find plenty of rubs but very few scrapes. I do have a couple areas where I put a mock scrape and licking branch that deer use all yr round, still without a permanent food source in the same spot every year I’m having trouble finding a pattern!!!

[@BryceWilcox]

When you are checking for sign in late September info October to hunt a specific stand, do you just go in mid day and scout every now and then? Or do you rely just on your cameras for that?

[@ericwittman3]

At the 5 minute mark, you’re in a bottom that’s precisely the same as a public spot I hunt. Your stand is my NW sit and there’s a pine on the other side for S wind. You mentioned ditches. I start all my scouting at creeks and ditches. Deer don’t take 58 routes across them. 1-3 where I live. And if there aren’t recognizable trails, I won’t hunt anywhere near there. They’re traveling and congregating elsewhere.

[@Staying_Dangerous_Official]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you do all your filming in the areas that you plan on hunting without putting unnecessary pressure on those deer? I have watched most of your videos and you speak a lot about pressure, scent, and not spooking deer. Curious.

[@Hubble-M]

I'm in an area where I need to harvest a doe first but only have 90% bucks. There are two small bucks that travel with fawns consistently. Any advice? I legally uses a feeder on a timer in the state of NJ

[@beachralph]

Thank Jeff for another great video all your information is incredible looking forward to get to my stands

[@fueledtohunt2173]

when are you putting on urea on brassicas? Are you only doing one treatment of plot start at planting and leaving it or are you going back in and adding urea over the top of plants later? Also do you ever broadcast rye over plot failures if there's no rain in forecast? Pretty dry here in Iowa and brassicas didn't turn out well since some of the plot is on hillside.

[@George-ro6bw]

Again, a truly informative video. Really nice shots of bucks. It would be OK with me if you chased some of those bucks down to Ohio.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks George...actually in OH for my last client trip of the year, right now 😊 South of New Philly...

[@tybrouwer7620]

Awesome content again Jeff, thank you

[@randyh.6019]

Jeff you really need to do a video at some point of aging deer on the hoof, seeing "lucky" is a three year old? with that belly on him I would put him as a 4 year old and would have a hard time letting that one go. Good luck next weekend!!

[@jessehanger]

Hi jeff! I have a soybean field in southern Indiana where I would like to plant some rye. Would you recommend broadcasting the rye overtop of the standing soybeans or wait for them to get picked then seed? Thanks!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I would wait up until the 3rd to 4th week of Sept and then broadcast heavy at 200-300#s per acre

[@kyledonoho115]

Southern Oregon Black tails. Ima new bow hunter im a great shit with my bow. But I don’t have a tree stand and can’t afford one at the moment any suggestions?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I love mobile, on the ground setups! Even just one of those small, portable blinds that fold out in front of you are great...sitting on the ground, spot and stalk for blacktails sounds awesome!!

[@russelllangworthy994]

I can't remember if it was Noel Feather or Alan Alteizer back in the '80s that coined the phrase, "Annual Whitetail Shift" (I'll have to dig out my old VHS tapes), but the bucks that were here all summer will most likely disappear come October.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You will have to dig them out Russell...never heard that phrase from anyone else 😉

[@russelllangworthy994]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 That's ok. You're not as old as me. You came along after VHS was already obsolete.

[@davidstewart2051]

Hey Jeff I got a video of a yearling six point rubbing and scraping in front of a doe at my bait pile on September 9, he has no velvet left. I’m just wondering what it means? Seems early too me for pre rut activity?

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

Thanks Jeff! I was wondering if it is to late to mow switchgrass or if I need to do it next spring, it will be a year old next spring? Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Isaac! I would just wait until next Spring 😊

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks!

[@brianmoczynski5989]

Mornin Jeff. Got a wedding for opening weekend in Wisconsin that I have to go to 😫

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Oh boy Brian unless it's yours...hit the woods and go to the reception late? 😁 And if it's yours... WHAT WERE YOU THINKING 🤔😊

[@brianmoczynski5989]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 oh no it’s sure as hell not mine. 😂😂 there will be no weddings in the fall for me haha . And I’m just gonna justify it by taking a page out of your playbook and not go spook stands out when it’s going to be hot weather. Maybe we’ll get a nice temperature drop the following weekend.

[@justinbrooks5654]

What do you think of sighting in rifles around your deer hunting land?

[@hughphillips67Mustang]

Another great video. Thanks Jeff! I have 3 mock scrapes exactly like you suggested for 2 years now. I'm not getting any pictures of any of them being used. Should I take them down? Or leave them up, and be patient?

[@NEW_FOCUS_hunts]

Are they on pinch points/ travel corridors?

[@hughphillips67Mustang]

@@NEW_FOCUS_hunts yes and yes. For both questions.

[@Lvan4003]

Great video!

[@mattnordlund9652]

Great video! Some solid advise and mentor ship.. WI Bow opener sept. 18th.

[@kevinleary5244]

We didn’t have a single buck all summer here in NH. About a month ago we had about 5 different bucks that would go thru my plots at different times maybe every 3-5 days. Now for the past 8 days i have only seen one of them. I am super worried the big boys moved off but theres no ag or fields or plots within 50 miles. Just big woods and acorns. Very concerning and confusing to read!

[@brianlawniczak9023]

If you provide the deer cover, water sources and quality food why would bucks there in the summer shift out only to have other bucks shift in?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

If you have quality Fall food and cover, the mature bucks should rarely be there in the Summer 😉 Great Fall cover is not good Summer cover...

[@brianlawniczak9023]

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. I’m still cloudy on the shift phenomenon. If your property/ stand location holds doe won’t they shift back and work through closer to rut? If a mock scrape is used all year how can that be if bucks shift. I’m actually trying to convince my dad to inquire about a land visit. We have 120 acres in Oconto County Wi which should produce and doesn’t.

[@larryweeks8834]

I have watched a number of your videos and have picked up some great tips. The thing that concerns me is that you mentioned on this video as well as at least one other that your wife harvested two bucks last year on your Minnesota property. The limit is only one buck per year per hunter.

[@jeremykaskinen560]

Party hunting is allowed in MN

[@larryweeks8834]

I am well aware of party hunting. My question is who in that party gave up their tag?

[@thelzmovement6480]

When are we gonna get some whs hats ?

[@toddschmutz-qx8wm]

Stay out but go in

[@jeremygilson8062]

Great video does anyone know where to find a 27.5 cam for a mathews lx?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Not sure where you are at Jeremy, but check out Jim Morrow at MJC Archery in SE MI or Anthony Schmidt at Lacrosse Archery in Lacrosse WI....if you are close!

[@fessenden3337]

Hey shouod I be worried that oct 1st in michigain is opener and I still haven’t got a single buck on camera,

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I sure wouldn't worry! Likely a sign of good Fall habitat 😊👍

[@fessenden3337]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 hey just pulled the cards and just had some bucks starting to show up we got 2 8 points and a tall 6 and a small 6

[@ragnarw6600]

When you talk about having all these deer stands it sounds a little crazy expensive when you start adding the cost of each stand. Not sure if your pushing that many deer stands concept because your sponsored by them or what. If not, look at lone wolf stands and sticks, you can go into any tree where the wind is right and only need one stand. Maybe do a video on various deer stand concepts vs the ones your sponsored by, so your viewers know there are options out there.

[@richstafford1245]

Deer hunting is expensive. It’s turned into a country club sport like it or not. I hear a fair amount of guys say I can’t afford gear, food plots, stands, property and or leases ect..Unfortunately if that is the case it seems like the sport doesn’t really want you in it. Also I have noticed watching many of the hunting shows it has become very political. When I watch outdoor programming I’m looking for entertainment not to be preached to about religion and political views. Unfortunately this is the reality of the hunting industry at this point…..

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I had that many stands when I was 25, broke and couldn't afford them. Christmas presents, bday...extra jobs. All about priority. Also, on small private lands the noise to set up a stand like that when you hunt would ruin a hunt in a heartbeat... Again...there was a time in my early 20s I had 20+ stands, and no money. No savings...but I didn't have a boat, atv, nice home, nice truck...didn't go on fancy vacations. I just loved to hunt and made the sacrifices I needed to do so. I wouldn't even hunt on a small parcel or allow someone to hunt on my land, that was setting up a stand to hunt. Would rather sit on the ground...and have. Hang and hunt not a good tactic for small private parcels.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Rich...one crazy thing is I hunted the same way with the same number of treestands when I had no money and no savings, in the late 80s and 90s. When I leased land for $1000 per year with 2 other people we pooled or money at just a tiny fraction of the cost of owning. We split costs for seed. We brought bread and food from home to eat. We slept in the truck to hunt...and still do. I just made sacrifices in other areas...no fancy vacations, no boat, no atv, no camper. I also chose my low paying job so I could hunt when I wanted. Maybe the quality of the stands have changed...but not the number or strategies to achieve success, for over 3 decades.

[@richstafford1245]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I hear you Jeff. Life is about choices. Some people spend a thousand plus dollars per month on alcohol, cigarettes and other vices and complain about being broke, I get it. Not saying it can’t be done I’m just saying outdoor programming is basically nothing but a millionaires club at this point….

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@richstafford1245 for sure Rich! I think folks...the outdoor industry in general...plays on selling product to replace a general lack of hunting skill that isn't taught anymore. I feel hunters rely on product more than ever now and as a whole the quality of hunter is lower for it. I don't believe most industry types can teach how to hunt...because they don't know how to hunt themselves.

[@hunterforlife4116]

I have a 5 acre it is 2acre of woods and half and acre of food plots and I have seen no deer

[@scottmoyer4518]

Every year I over scout over analyze over think. And come up empty handed. This year i haven't even put a camera out im just going to wing it lol

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Good luck Scott!

[@conflict7269]

Anyone ever catch up with that double drop tine buck?

[@conflict7269]

@Number 1 Fan wow what a buck

[@joshuakoglin7541]

I would like to see Venti at 5

[@outdooroutfitters3658]

Oh man, adrenaline pump!

[@timhatfield6367]

Grandson and I drove 85 miles north yesterday to our farm just to throw out another layer of winter rye into some yellowing soybeans. Moved one cell cam a little closer to a mock scrape that's been very busy. Just got notified by scoutek of activity while writing out my comment just now! You are our hunting buddy even if we've never met, thanks Jeff! Anyway to get life-sized cardboard cut out of you to keep at our deercamp? Ha..lol

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, thanks Tim 👍 Sounds great tho...good luck!! Life size cutout...pretty funny 😁

[@KillerKolt44]

Most of this again attributes to trail cameras. Hard to pattern bucks without them. Cameras are not legal in Missouri conservation land

[@mike81399]

👍

[@anthonymalueg3520]

Running vs walking

[@Robert-em3fv]

👍🏽

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Robert!! Good luck....coming soon!!! 👍

[@Robert-em3fv]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 yes it is we are excited to be back in the woods but on the smart days to be out good luck can’t wait to see how it goes down this year!!

[@mikeguy9668]

Imagine a deer being left alone until its 5 🤣. Not where I hunt bud. We have the saltiest 2 yr olds you've ever seen

[@drdes9609]

13 point 3 year old jeeze. I think I know your secret…… steroids.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, he is pretty cool looking!