How to Track a Trophy Buck
How to Track a Trophy Buck
All deer hunters eventually set their sights on what is known as a trophy buck. It is the stuff of legends and hunting videos. It is what drives deer hunters to travel the country and even across borders into Canada in search of the perfect deer. And while there are many places a dedicated hunter can find the deer of their dreams, how they track a prized trophy can make or break the hunt.
The first thing to consider when hunting trophy bucks is what makes a buck a trophy. In general, age is the most dominant factor in determining the trophy status of a deer, and not just the age of the deer but the age of the hunter as well.
A younger or newer deer hunter will take pride in their first kill regardless of what gender and their first buck regardless or rack and body size. To this class of hunter, the first kill will be a lasting memory and will be cherished forever. As the hunter gets older, their standards increase. Whereas they were once satisfied with anything in sight they may start to get pickier. Bigger racks and bodies begin to be more desirable. The mature trophy hunter needs a mature trophy deer.
Bagging a true trophy will be an accomplishment that defines the prowess of the trophy hunter. It requires the patience, skill and discretion to match the survival instinct of an animal who has lived long enough to see full maturity. Making sure a deer can live to see maturity is the first thing a dedicated trophy hunter can do to help the pursuit. This means having the proper judgment to know when to hold fire on an immature deer. Paying attention to not just the size of the rack but the size of the deer itself will be helpful in determining maturity. A mature deer of at least three years of age will be fuller in the chest and well defined. If the hunting population allows, letting deer mature will lead to a more rewarding future of tracking trophies.
Tracking trophies means knowing where to find them. A hunt won't be successful if the trophy hunter isn't hunting where trophy deer aren't located. An area with a well balanced ratio of bucks to does will be more likely to produce mature trophy deer. The wiser and more cunning buck will stick to a basic path between bedding area and food supply, with scrapes along the way during the rut. To match this, the wise trophy buck hunter will place their stand or blind in the middle of these pathways to catch their trophies during optimal periods of travel.
Even a well placed stand will mean nothing if the deer can smell you. Deer don't become trophies for no reason. A deer's sense of smell is their most powerful asset in detecting and avoiding predators like the trophy buck hunter. It is always best to place a stand down wind of the direction the deer will travel and use of scent covers will be invaluable to a trophy hunter's success.
When all factors come together bagging a true, mature trophy deer will be an exhilarating and valuable experience to any hunter. Bigger trophies will make better mounts and will inspire good conversation among guests and hunting buddies alike. The best way to prepare for a prime trophy hunt is a visit to http://www.thetrophybuckhunter.com. This website has all the supplies necessary to outfit yourself for a successful hunting season, whether or not trophy bucks are your target.