Why Mature Bucks Are a Whole Different Animal

Chasing mature bucks isn’t just a hunt, it’s a lesson in humility.

Mature bucks are not the same animal as other deer in the woods.

They can’t be.

They don’t move the same, eat the same, or even exist the same universe. Okay, maybe the last point was a little extreme but it does feel that way at times. I’ve harvested a pile of does and younger bucks, but my mature buck pile is very limited. Tracking down and harvesting a mature buck is a feat that shouldn’t be overlooked. It may not feel that way when you scroll up and down your social media feeds but laying hands on one is truly special. Why are they so hard to kill? Like I said earlier, we aren't hunting deer... a mature buck is a whole different animal. 

I was reminded of this phenomenon just recently. The date was November 2nd, and I found myself in a timbered funnel leaving an overgrown bedding area. This is a killer spot and my dad and I have had success here before. Based on recent trail camera photos and past experience, I knew there was a mature buck in the area. Maybe I would catch up to him. With my bow in hand, I was feeling confident. 

About 30 minutes before dark, I noticed movement in the edge of the bedding area about 75 yards away. I could make out a big, dark body moving from left to right. The brush was too thick to make out the details but I could see pieces of rack. I knew enough to get up and get ready just in case. The buck started to inch his was closer and before long I was able to make out two different bucks. As luck would have it, they were headed my way. 

One of the bucks finally broke from the other and started walking right to my tree quickly. He finally broke the cloak of brush and I noticed he was just young 5 point. Not a bad buck at all, but I wanted to see what buck was with him. The 5 point closed the distance to twenty yards before stopping broadside in my west shooting lane. The other buck was covering distance as well, but was maintaining a 40-yard gap between the two. This was my first clue that the second buck may be a good one. 

Without notice, the 5-point buck threw his nose up in the air. My wind must have swirled because I could tell that he smelled something. The closer buck started pacing back and forth for a few minutes, but would not pass that particular spot. The whole time this was going on the buck in the back never took another step. I finally lifted my binoculars and maneuvered around the best I could to get a view of the second buck. I finally found him and my suspensions were correct. He was a horse of a deer with a wide, leaning rack. He was no doubt a mature buck, and perhaps had been mature for several seasons now. It was quite a sight.

After a little while the smaller buck turned around and walked back to the big buck and together they made their way back off into the distance. I confirmed a belief that day. Big, mature bucks just don’t make mistakes. He was perfectly content to let that smaller buck make the mistake on his behalf. Keep in mind I could have harvested the smaller buck, but when it came to the mature buck, I’m not sure I ever even had a chance. 

So how does one finally connect on a big, mature buck?

It takes a ton of persistence and attention to detail. I’m not expert but have been lucky enough to kill a few mature bucks here and there. Here a few things you can do to ensure that you have the best odds possible: 

• Don’t get lazy with the fundamentals. Pay attention to the wind and good stand access. Mature bucks have zero tolerance for mistakes and will eat you alive when you get lazy. 

• Get in early and stay late. Getting into your setups early ensures that bucks are unaware of your presence. Staying late gives you the opportunity to catch him moving at hours when other deer might not.

• Pay attention to specific weather changes. All bucks will respond to cold fronts and pressure changes, but extreme fronts will get the mature bucks moving. If you notice a weather front in the forecast, clear your schedule and get in the woods. 

• Don’t give up. Waiting on a mature buck can start to feel like an impossible task. They are mature for a reason. But if you can spend the time in the woods and be there when he is, you may just get your shot. 

Like I said, mature bucks are a completely different animal. You can’t hunt them like any other deer. This isn’t for everyone though, and I completely understand. If you want to kill the first legal buck you see, then by all means go for it! I find myself in that mindset sometimes. But if you want to hunt mature bucks, buckle up, it’s going to be tough but well worth it. 

Will Bowen, Okayest Hunter Contributor