I've been hunting this Big 6 for the last few seasons...I'm not the only one, several of us have been hunting him hard. He haunts our dreams at night. Nobody has ever actually laid eyes on him, only camera pics.

I thought for sure he was dead until I saw this recent pic. We have him on camera regularly at the same feeder, but never during the day.

It's an unusually cool rack, and he's a pretty big guy...I have one tag left and a few weeks to get him.

If you were me, what would you do? Is there anything that I can do? Are there some deer that are 100% nocturnal and don't move at all during the day?

We are on about 700 acres, I gotta believe that he doesn't leave our place all that much as surely someone would have shot him by now. He is in decline, believe it or not he was bigger the last few years.

Every year we say we're gonna get him...no luck so far.

Hunt away from the feeder. Try to catch him moving to or from the bedding. Find the nearest water and see when he is hitting it. You are more than likely in the post rut, but may try calling. Good luck

Find the thickest, most secluded area on the place with a good view for him to watch from. Find where you think he may be coming out from late in the evenings or going back to early in the mornings. Don't go in the area, just scout from the outer edges. Big emphasis on camo and scent control, watch the wind. I think you are right in that he is mostly nocturnal. He probably won't come to grunts or rattling.
Deer Dont get old being dumb. Good luck!!

Move TC around to find the trails he is moving on coming into and leaving feeders at. Moving the TC around should also find the trails and area he is active in during the daylight. It will also show you if he is living on your lease. Once you find his daylight pattern move a tripod into that area or build a brush blind.

^^^ like was said.
I use google earth to survey the area and find the likeliest bedding areas close to that feeder. First and last light of LST is when U will get UR chance. Get there extra early and stay till dark so he can't see u leave. Big old bucks like to sit and watch everything going on from cover. He has UR pattern down for the feeders and blinds. I did this with an old 8 worked like a charm. I caught him moving at 3:15 on a warm afternoon. Good luck to ya.

I like the moving the TC idea, in fact we have already narrowed it down a little.

We have 3 cameras going, and this is the only camera that catches him. Also, he is always coming in from the same angle. Maybe just start there and reverse course, looking for a super thick area?

He's the only buck that we only see on one camera, most of our bucks roam around the place and hit at least 2 of the 3 feeders...he only likes this one.

Anytimeoutdoors1, it's funny that you say that. Almost every saga of hunting the "deer we never see" ends in a mid afternoon shot, usually between 1:00 and 3:00.

That makes sense...I'll confess to hunting mostly early and late this season, taking mid day breaks.

I was much better about time in stand last season.

I have seen bucks like that live in a patch of a few trees in an open field, put the TC in the direction you think he's coming from, but don't avoid the not so obvious.

Good luck.

As stxranchman suggested... Using TC in situations like this can really payoff.

Good luck with him...he's a beast for sure! Looks like a Defensive Tackle, lol...

You might be surprised where he is bedded. Many times, we end up finding them in the open areas that gives them the ability to see long distances and have multiple escape routes. Thick is where I would look first, but don't limit yourself to thinking he has to bed in cover. Good luck

^^^ This - Those old bucks get smart. Once you figure out his routine, set up in a spot where you haven't been before. Preferably off the ground. Hunt all day. If he's nocturnal he'll be moving around in the heat of the day when he knows you won't be there. Moving your TC's around will help you get an idea of his travel routes and movement times, but your best bet is to sit all day where you know he travels. Staying away from the feeders is also a good idea. Good luck!

Copy cat, Gawd, short people

I'd hunt him with a rifle...and midday.

If he is truly nocturnal, you're going to have to find his bedding area and sneak into it around 2:00 AM and then shoot him in his bed after dawn. Almost impossible without a tree stand.

I'm with deerhunter61.

spotlight and a silenced .204 say around midnight to 0300

I'm with deer hunter X3

Didn't see your post

UPDATE

As luck would have it, this Big 6 has changed his nocturnal ways and has reliably hit our bow feeder 3 or 4 times in the last week, middle of the day...2-3:00 pm. These are the first daytime pics of this guy in a long, long time...literally years. I wonder what's getting him up during the day?

That's the good news. The bad news? I am not a bow hunter. Our bow stand is our most "covered" stand (very thick area). It's a tree stand and the shot is about 20 yds, give or take a few feet. The tree stand is very minimal, and at that range it almost has to be a hand gun.

I have never shot a deer with a handgun. I have 3 options: 9mm, .357 mag, .45.

I would think 9mm is too small, .and I'm not very good with the .45 at that range.

I am most comfortable with the .357, and its the only one of the 3 that is a revolver.

Any tips for a first time handgun hunt? Shot placement? He's a big guy, will a .357 drop him?

i would use a shotgun with buckshot, but that is me.


most people can't shoot a handgun worth carp

Thought about that...its such a small seat and there's no railing of any kind, worried about the kick of a 12 ga with buckshot.

I may try to get my hands on a little lever action 30/30 carbine...still kicks a little, but the smaller size would give me a better shooting posture.

a shotgun with buckshot has recoil but nothing unbearable.

at that range a good 2 3/4 in load of 00 buck will be great when used with a modified or full choke.

Hmm...I have an old wingmaster in the closet...