In most states/provinces archery season gives deer hunters the first opportunity to tag a trophy buck. By using this advantage through wise pre-season scouting and proper stand placement, you’ll have your best chance of the year for a shot at an unpressured buck. Note, I stated "unpressured". Once the woods become infested with human activity and a buck has heard the thunder of guns he learns fast to lay low during daylight hours. His regular lifestyle is halted. In my opinion, your only real hope of taking an old, educated buck under pressure is catching him at a weak moment in the throes of the rut or if he has been pushed from his lair.

Serious bowhunters should start pinpointing their buck during the summer when antlers are branching almost weekly. All racks look impressive when covered with thick velvet but those having trophy status are easily recognized. Usually bucks of varying ages will be congregated together during the summer and early fall. This gives the observant hunter the perfect opportunity to compare headgear and determine age. Time and good optics are the two most necessary tools for early scouting. Deer become less reclusive and more relaxed as the days become longer. Low-growing agricultural fields such as soybeans, milo, alfalfa, or clover become afternoon magnets for whitetails especially if they happen to border thick cover. View these fields from a distant vantage point always with a favorable wind direction. If the fields have irregular borders with secluded nooks and pockets, these will most likely be the first places deer emerge to feed. A few afternoons behind a spotting-scope will give the early season hunter a fair evaluation of the quality of bucks the area is holding. Make note of their habits, pecking order, entry and exit routes even personality traits can be distinguished by careful observation. Invariably, the dominant buck of the herd will be the last to appear. The more you know about your quarry the better informed and prepared you will be come hunting season.

After your dream buck is sighted, back off. While it is thrilling just to watch a good buck, each time you frequent an area is an opportunity to get busted. Once a mature buck catches on the fact that he is being watched he is likely to move on to a more private surroundings. Undisturbed deer will usually maintain a predictable routine at this time of the year.

Since archery is such an up-close and personal type of hunting the set-up for a successful ambush is crucial. I have some very fixed ideas about what it takes to get close enough to a bruiser buck for a shot with a bow and arrow. Act quickly. The element of surprise is always your best strategy. Your scouting observations should have revealed the most prevalent travel routes. Get into this area using the same caution and stealth as if you were actually hunting when hanging a stand. Try to find a suitable site off the field edge at least 50 yards and 15-25 yards off the trail. Often a mature buck will remain bedded longer requiring you to hunt closer to his sanctuary in order to get a shot during legal shooting hours. Extreme caution must be taken when penetrating into bedding areas to avoid bumping the deer completely out of the region. Always be mindful of wind direction and choose a tree appropriate for the type stand you are using. Keep trimming to a minimum when pruning limbs and shooting lanes. Use the trimmings to brush-in or disguise your stand. Seek structure in the form of tree limbs, forks or clusters of saplings to break up the outline of you and the stand. Have more than one clear shooting lane. Now is the time to check for squeaks or any stand shifting that might create the slightest noise. Get high enough to be out of the normal field of view for any deer passing by yet not so uncomfortably high that you compromise safety and create an extreme shot angle. Have a clear plan for approaching and leaving the stand undetected.

I like to have at least three stands in place when pursuing a particular deer. This allows me to hunt the same area longer without being detected. I will hunt a stand for no longer than two consecutive days. After that, it is time to relocate to avoid contaminating the area with your presence and alerting the deer. I’m ever mindful of wind direction and although I take every precaution to be as scent free as possible, I respect the incredible ability of a whitetail’s nose.

Hunt aggressively. The time to tag a great deer is as soon as the law allows or in other words, as soon as season opens. Remember, when the season opens it is open all day long. Undisturbed deer will feed and loiter at random throughout the day. Stay on stand as long as you possibly can.

Have a plan. Picture in your mind where you expect the deer to approach. Pre-range the distance to each opening where shots might present themselves. Look for places that might offer you an opportunity to draw your bow such as when the deer passes behind a tree or bush. Imagine the exact angle you will wait for before releasing an arrow. By rehearsing these steps in your mind, they will be an automatic reaction when the real opportunity arrives.

Know your abilities. Everyone has a shooting range within which they are comfortable and effective. Each person has a stance or position where they shoot best. If you shoot better while standing then expect to stay on your feet most of the time. Sitting on stand is less tiring and creates a steady base for a shot however it can limit your range of motion.

Hunt safely. The overwhelming cause of bowhunting injuries is treestand accidents. A full-body harness is the safest way to avoid injury in case of a fall. Attach the tether strap securely around the base of the tree and slightly above your head. Use treestands that bear the TMA association sticker. This insures that the stand meets all industry set strength and safety requirements.

Enjoy the hunt— savor each day spent in the outdoors.