A scrape is usually a large circle or oval of exposed dirt that is 6 to 7 feet in diameter. Presence of scrapes or rubs near or on the trail will indicate that you are in buck territory. A buck passing through his territory will check his scrape for another deer that have recently been in the area. An experienced hunter will spend every minute possible in the woods because in the rut deer are moving almost all day.
One method of finding a buck area is to look for a rub line. A rub line is a general trail that bucks will follow for years and use the smaller trees for cleaning their antlers of velvet. Look for a well worn deer trail with rubs and study the relationship between the trail, and the nearest bedding locations and food sources. In general the closer you are to a bedding area, the better your chances for seeing deer. The rubs will increase your odds that it may be a buck.
The spacing of tracks from the center of the trail determines the size of the deer. Old heavy bucks tend to walk with their hooves spaced wider apart than does and yearlings. Deer tracks can help you settle on the size and sex of the animal with a little understanding and observation. Keep in mind that the size of deer and their tracks will vary from area to area.
Does typically point their toes in the route they are traveling. Bucks generally point their toes outward from the centerline of travel. Instead of stepping in the tracks that their front feet have made, bucks often lag their hind hoof. An intersection of 2 or 3 trails increase your odds for deer. If the rut is on a breeding buck, it may be more likely to use this trail hoping to find a ready doe.
When exploring deer tracks in snow, try to settle on which deer is dragging his feet. Bucks will leave drag marks in leaf litter or light snow. Be careful not to read this the wrong way as all deer will drag their feet in deep snow. If you are engrossed in tracking a certain deer, it is advisable to get out in the early hours in after a night snow. Tracking in the snow works best after a fresh 1" to 2" snowfall in an area with good buck to doe ratios.
The nature of bucks also may help in determining what type of trail you are looking at beneath your feet. Bucks will more often be in heavy cover and travel with a purpose, generally in straighter lines. Does on the other hand tend to wander and meander through the woods. A good deer hunter learns the traits of patience, dedication, and observation. Throughout the year, deer will use different routes at different times for different reasons.
Fence posts and fence lines serve as established routes of travel for deer. Deer trails will often run along fences for great distances. This explains why you may discover shed antlers along fence lines. A trophy buck will often use wooden fence posts for rubs. It seems that a strong post gives good enough resistance that big buck needs for a rub.
One method of finding a buck area is to look for a rub line. A rub line is a general trail that bucks will follow for years and use the smaller trees for cleaning their antlers of velvet. Look for a well worn deer trail with rubs and study the relationship between the trail, and the nearest bedding locations and food sources. In general the closer you are to a bedding area, the better your chances for seeing deer. The rubs will increase your odds that it may be a buck.
The spacing of tracks from the center of the trail determines the size of the deer. Old heavy bucks tend to walk with their hooves spaced wider apart than does and yearlings. Deer tracks can help you settle on the size and sex of the animal with a little understanding and observation. Keep in mind that the size of deer and their tracks will vary from area to area.
Does typically point their toes in the route they are traveling. Bucks generally point their toes outward from the centerline of travel. Instead of stepping in the tracks that their front feet have made, bucks often lag their hind hoof. An intersection of 2 or 3 trails increase your odds for deer. If the rut is on a breeding buck, it may be more likely to use this trail hoping to find a ready doe.
When exploring deer tracks in snow, try to settle on which deer is dragging his feet. Bucks will leave drag marks in leaf litter or light snow. Be careful not to read this the wrong way as all deer will drag their feet in deep snow. If you are engrossed in tracking a certain deer, it is advisable to get out in the early hours in after a night snow. Tracking in the snow works best after a fresh 1" to 2" snowfall in an area with good buck to doe ratios.
The nature of bucks also may help in determining what type of trail you are looking at beneath your feet. Bucks will more often be in heavy cover and travel with a purpose, generally in straighter lines. Does on the other hand tend to wander and meander through the woods. A good deer hunter learns the traits of patience, dedication, and observation. Throughout the year, deer will use different routes at different times for different reasons.
Fence posts and fence lines serve as established routes of travel for deer. Deer trails will often run along fences for great distances. This explains why you may discover shed antlers along fence lines. A trophy buck will often use wooden fence posts for rubs. It seems that a strong post gives good enough resistance that big buck needs for a rub.
About the Author:
Why kill just one Deer when you can silently sneak up all in all family with the precision of a Navy Seal. Don't place yourself in an area where there's thick foliage or shrubs, because this will only serve to dampen your grunt. Exercise full restraint, and don't grunt every few minutes. whitetail deer
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