OutdoorMissouri.com

Ok, this one is for the professionals. It relates to killing good bucks in the big woods on our farm down in Pulaski co. We have numerous trail cams set out in strategic locations on the farm and check them relatively infrequently for obvious reasons. This year, we have two pictures total of a real nice mature 10 pointer (probably a high 130 gross which is great for that area). One pic was him in full velvet, the other is hard horned two days before the archery opener. The first pick is in our bottoms and he is heading toward the Gasconade River. The second pic, he is up on top at a white oak flat that is void of nuts this year, but he is coming from the general direction of the river. That is it for pics. These two cameras are probably a half mile apart. What would you all's advice be on trying to key in on this buck in an area filled with standing timber and hardwoods? We have zero pics of him in out foodplots.

I wouldn't hunt specifically for that deer whatsoever. If you know his travel routes, then you might stick to that gameplan. If you can key in on a significant staging area (big rubs, primary scrape) you might play that card as well. But, I think I would focus on travel corridors and hope for the best. Most of the deer I have killed I have never once seen on a game camera. In fact, it has happened only once.

I agree with the Snake. Two pictures a half mile apart don't tell you much - better than nothing, but not much.

well i also agree with the two well known hunters, ha.. but i do like river bottoms during pre-rut..

I agree on hunting the land, the terrain features. It won't help you much in mid October, but in the pre-rut and rut, that's where the bucks will be traveling, on the terrain travel ways that lead from bedding areas, and food. Ridges, draws, and the river will provide the funnels for the travel corridors. If there is specific sign near one of those funnels, get on it. That's what I would look for if I was wanting to catch up with that buck, or another mature buck.

Hunting big hardwood blocks of land is difficult. Probably my least favorite type of terrain to hunt.

That's actually what I wanted to hear. Pretty much my plan, and how we have handled it. I just don't even know how much time this dude is even spending on the farm. We do have stands at both of these camera locations. He just doesn't visit them frequently enough IMHO. Would love to send an arrow into him, but those dang big woods bucks are just tough to figure.