bushjill+FollowI hiked in blind with a lightweight setup and got my best buck yetTried mobile hunting for the first time last rut after getting skunked 3 sits in a row. I hiked in deep, found a fresh rub line, and hung my set that afternoon. Three hours later, I arrowed a solid 8-point at 25 yards. Here's why I think it worked: 1️⃣ Moved in fresh—no pressure or scent left behind. 2️⃣ Keyed in on hot sign instead of old patterns. 3️⃣ Stayed light—stand, pack, and gear were minimal. It's not the most comfortable setup, but the flexibility is worth it. If your usual stand's gone cold, why not get mobile? #hunting #mobilehunting #deerhunting #huntingtips32Share
paulcarol+FollowWhy I never want to “cure” my buck feverAfter decades chasing everything from bears to bobcats, you'd think I’d be over buck fever. But every time I raise my rifle, my heart pounds like it's my first hunt. I don’t see it as weakness—it’s proof I still care. That rush, that respect, that pulse-jumping moment... it's why I hunt. Lose that, and what’s the point? #hunting #buckfever #deerhunting #Outdoors 265Share
jortiz+Followthe rut hits different when you’re mobile huntingSet up at noon, shot my buck by 3PM. Mobile hunting during the rut is a total game-changer. Light gear, fresh sign, no more waiting around in dead stands. This style of hunting lets you move, adapt, and find the action fast. No wonder there’s an entire expo dedicated to it now. Anyone else ditching the old setups for mobile? #hunting #mobilehunting #rutseason #bowhunting #deerhunting60Share
bushjill+Followthought decoys were a gimmick… until last seasonHad a crazy close call last season — set out a doe decoy with some estrus scent and a few bleats, and a buck came in hard. Been experimenting with decoys the past few years, and when timed right (pre-rut or rut), they can totally shift the odds. My setup now: doe decoy facing my shooting lane, doe bleat calls every 15-20 minutes, and a few drops of estrus scent on the ground around it. For buck decoys, I use grunt calls and buck scent instead. Pro tip: Position matters! Bucks approach from the front, does from behind. And they ALL try to circle downwind first, so plan your wind accordingly. Game changer for open fields where deer seem hesitant to commit. #hunting #DeerHunting #HuntingTips #Outdoors 123Share
Manuel Bright+FollowShould you hunt buck bedding during the rut?Last November, I glassed a mature buck slipping back into thick cover just after sunrise—same ridge he used all season. It got me thinking: is it worth hunting his bed during the rut? After years of trial and error, I’d say yes—but only if you’re surgical about it. Hunting close to a buck’s bedding area during the rut can work, especially if: ✅ He returns to the same bed after unsuccessful doe searches 💡 You know the terrain well—wind, thermals, escape routes 🔔 You avoid aggressive tactics (no loud rattling or blind calling) It’s not a guaranteed play, but if you’ve patterned a rut-loyal buck who sticks to familiar bedding, slipping in quietly and setting up between his bed and a doe bedding area might be your best chance. Anyone else had luck hunting tight to buck bedding during peak rut? #hunting #deerhunting #huntingtips #DeerRut20Share
Manuel Bright+FollowWhy do bucks shed antlers at different times?Went shed hunting last weekend and found a few fresh singles—but no pairs. Got me thinking about why bucks shed at such different times. Turns out it’s not random. In the North, older bucks drop early after a hard rut. Down South, the longer breeding season keeps testosterone high, so mature bucks hold on longer. Stress from poor nutrition or injury can also trigger early casting. And the way antlers actually fall? Their bodies actively release them—pretty wild. Anyone else noticing early or late drops this year where you hunt? Any patterns you’ve picked up over time? #hunting #shedhunting #DeerHunting #Outdoors 215Share
paulcarol+FollowFiguring out deer feeding times, so I get more big bucksBack when I first started hunting, I’d just pick a stand, sit tight at dawn and dusk, and hope for the best. Sometimes it worked, but most days were dead quiet. A few seasons back, an old-timer told me to stop hunting time and start hunting patterns. That’s when I started paying attention to deer feeding cycles — and it completely changed the game. Here’s what I’ve learned that actually works: 1️⃣ Feeding #1 (sunrise) – Happens close to bedding. Think browse, woody plants, acorns. 2️⃣ Feeding #2 (late morning) – Still nearby but a little less active. 3️⃣ Feeding #3 (about an hour before sunset) – This is prime time. They venture farther, often toward food plots or feeders. Skip worrying about nighttime movement — they’ll go wherever. But if you can understand and even shape those daytime feedings, you’ll start to predict movement and place stands way more effectively. Anyone else track feeding patterns? Curious if your experiences match up — especially in different regions. #hunting #deerhunting #huntingstrategy #huntingtips94Share
Manuel Bright+FollowI swear by scent and decoy combos nowAnyone else having success with decoys during pre-rut? I’ve been playing around with buck and doe setups — adding scent and pairing calls like grunts or bleats makes a huge difference. Learned that buck decoys should face your shooting lane since they usually come in head-on. And yep, they always try to swing downwind first. Curious what tricks others are using! #hunting #deerhunting #huntingtips 30Share
lolson+Followy'all, the south is winning the mature buck gameUsed to think the Midwest was the go-to for older bucks, but new data says the South is where it’s at. Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana hunters are harvesting the highest percentage of 3½+ year old bucks in the country. Oklahoma tops the list with a whopping 85% mature bucks in harvest! Maybe it's time to plan that Southern hunting trip... #hunting #deerhunting #southernhunting #whitetails00Share
lolson+FollowI always do more work in July than hunting seasonJust got back from checking my spots and can't stress enough how crucial July prep is. Made the mistake of skipping this a few years back and paid for it all season long. Here's what I'm hitting hard right now: 1️⃣ Food plot check - drought hit my clover hard this year, already replanting before it's too late 2️⃣ Water sources - with temps climbing, deer patterns revolve around water. Found three new seeps I never knew existed 3️⃣ Low-impact scouting - deer aren't spooked yet, perfect time to find those bedding-to-feeding routes and hang stands 4️⃣ Early season setups - ag fields are starting to show which trails get heavy use The beauty of July work is deer barely notice you're there. Come September, you'll know exactly where to be while other hunters are still figuring out the property. What's your biggest July scouting priority this year? #hunting #deerhunting #scouting #huntingprep101Share
