There is nothing like successfully harvesting a truly gigantic buck. Stakes are raised because more than with any other local wildlife, shooting a big buck is a match of wits between hunter and buck. There is a level of satisfaction with any kill, but with a monster buck, you know that his cunning and caution have made the match much more one between equals.

Big Bucks are Old Bucks

Truly monstrous bucks are typically older deer. To get to where they’re the stuff of legend, they have to survive the hunters long enough to become giants. Big bucks are careful, creative and smart enough to survive; they don’t grow old like that without learning to avoid the usual hunter tactics and the usual deer’s mistakes.

Be Selective!

In that vein, when you’re trying to hunt the ultimate buck, try to be selective and let smaller bucks walk. Another reason to pass up on the small bucks? Because they’re clever and cautious, big bucks tend to follow younger ones, letting the smaller bucks be more likely to take to food plots first, or other food sources to see if all is okay. If they feel safe, old bucks are much more likely to show, which means you’re much more likely to bag them.

Location, Location, Location

As with all hunting, finding your prey relies on you going where they live. Big bucks use extreme caution when deciding where to live because picking the right place helps them to stay alive longer. When hunting your buck, look for areas with lots of water, like lowland wetlands, swamps, creek bottoms and even rivers and lakes. Deer are excellent swimmers, and old bucks know better than most the value of putting water between themselves and hunters. Like all deer, big bucks appreciate being surrounded by good cover and plentiful food. Thanks to their cautious nature, big bucks don’t hang around areas where lots of hunters gather, so find yourself a remote location away from other hunters.

Your Patience Will Be Rewarded

More than anything, be patient when trying to harvest a huge buck. Research your terrain thoroughly. If possible get your stand up at least a month before you plan on starting your hunt so the big bucks will be accustomed to it. Hunt for long periods during the rut. While the other hunters are getting a sandwich midday, big bucks are on the move to take to their beds or to find a better location; don’t miss that by cutting your hunt short. Finally, hunt the WIND so you are not getting busted and educating a smart old deer you are there hunting him.

Start to think in the careful, cautious, and creative ways that old bucks do to keep themselves alive. Learn what the usual tricks are for bagging a buck and don’t use them; your monster already knows those tricks and knows how to avoid getting caught by them. When you start to view the world the way a big buck does, you may find it much easier to finally take your trophy buck.

Spook Spann is a professional hunter from the popular hunting show Spook Nation TV and the owner of Spook Nation Farms, a collection of Spann’s personally selected and managed hunting land for sale. Each hunting property has been carefully managed by Spook Spann himself to maximize animal genetics and create an optimal environment for hunting, and many of the properties have been featured on Spook Nation TV.