Walking in

I know everyone has a routine on this. I primarily bow hunt and take effort give my self the best possible odds rubber boots etc. I have been pursuing this one buck for two years now on a property. He was fairly predictable at the end of rut last year and on camera at night now crossing a small field. I have a setup to get him where he crosses out into the open. However I can only really access it via one of his main travel routes without alerting doe bedded down or messing up my wind upon entry. I have only hunted it twice this year and both times I am worried I am not seeing him because I am crossing his path. Any thoughts? I always corn the area I hunt before getting in road, path, etc.

By walking his path its not just for a a few yards it's getting on the trail about 20 yards from where he primarily beds down to cross a draw to a lake then I can get off it once up on the bank. The lake and the property boundaries are the obstacles.

Maybe your just over thinking it. Spend and much time as you can in the area he's working, you'll eventually see him. Keep it corned up.

i'd do just like you're doing.
get to your spot as quickly and quietly
as possible, and settle in and be still
and quiet and stay put as long as i
could stand it.

What these guys said. Maybe go a bit earlier than normal, but go and stay. He'll make a mistake eventually, you just have to be there to take advantage. Good luck!

You're probably over thinking like was said above. One thing that may help though, if you corn the road before getting in your stand could you have somebody else drive and drop you off. You're already driving this route so I doubt it would spook any deer.

Can you cross the lake with a canoe or kiyak ?

Walking in walking out no place to drive. Could kayak or boat just haven't wanted to get to that I try to avoid water sports more of a terra firma guy. I may have to try it though.

I am worried about pushing him or educating him more hunting it (unsuccessfully). That is why I have limited times I have hunted it. He has not showed up on camera this year. Other bucks on the place are still showing up in the dark. I know his travel routes from his tracks he is the only deer that beds on this side of the property closest to human/house activity. He has his own path to water hardly any animals use. He is witty. I had a shot on him last year when he was chasing and missed.

THis is a small property with lots of human activity so he is comfortable with it but at the same time he knows what goes on and what is different from normal. I have been thinking about just waiting on the rut but I would really like to get him a soon as possible. I still don't know if he has even moved during the day.

Sorry for rambling.

If he's worth it, spend the night in your stand. I've done it before and it didn't work, but at least you gave it your best shot!

if you do spend the night in the stand, leave windows open! one night I slept in the stand and once day light, cracked open the windows and boom...everything in the field was gone. The blind holds your scent more than you know. I was so pissed off that I could have been asleep in my bed.

In addition to above, try a boot drag with cover scent or doe in rut scent and circle your blind if possible with about a 100 yard radius.

I agree use a drag line with doe in heat. He will jump right on that trail and come in hot. Just be ready because during the rut they move fast.