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The Tale of a QDM Club by Dave Edwards
Own Your Own by Virgil Peritts
What Is TSI? by Matt Ross, QDMA
Native vs. Non-Native by Gabriel Karns, M. Colter Chitwood, Chris Moorman, and Dr. Chris DePerno
Oaks For Bucks by Chris Moorman
Deer Season: A Time For Kids by Stephanie Mallory
The Need For Minerals by Brian Murphy, QDMA
Perlitz Ranch Hosts Youth Camp by Kelly Haydel
Timing the Rut With Fawns by Gabriel Karns, M. Colter Chitwood
Ecological Reasons For Hunting by Dr. R. Larry Marchinton and Dr. Karl V. Miller
What percentage of a buck's antler development potential comes from the doe's genes? by Realtree Whitetail Team
Where were the bucks? by Team Realtree
Growths on Deer? by Team Realtree
How Many Teats? by Team Realtree
Why No Oaks? by Team Realtree
Special thanks to:
Quality Deer
Management Association
Reader Questions
Where were the bucks?
Question: I hunt in Central Indiana and my stand site is located on a creek line with a bean field behind me and a bean field in front of me. There is also a small wood patch that's maybe 10 acres in size. Last year there was plenty of buck sign in the area but I never saw one while hunting. One area in particular, about 30 yards away along a creek that was tore up with rubs and scrapes. I saw does but no bucks. I hunted the spot almost every other day and saw does regularly. Where were the bucks?
Answer: Great question. Research shows that most (84%) scrapes are made and/or visited at night and that's likely what was happening to you. Bucks likely were using more cover during daylight hours and visiting the open area you referred to during the cover of darkness to make/check the scrape. If possible, I'd concentrate on thick cover near that area where bucks may be bedding. I'd hunt between the thick cover and the area you mentioned and hope to catch them traveling between the two. Good luck this fall.
Kip Adams, QDMA