You Spooked a Buck: Game Over?
By Mark Melotik
Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: Spooking a mature buck does not mean you'll never see it again. In fact, if you're out scouting, it might just be the best thing that could happen to your upcoming hunts.
Why be so optimistic at a time when many feel their hunt in a specific area is now virtually over? It's pretty simple. When a buck suddenly rockets out of its bed several yards ahead, you now know exactly where that buck lives and feels comfortable. And that's information all wise deer hunters crave. With visual confirmation, all the guessing and theories get brushed aside, because, well, there he was. And likely, for good reason.
Now, in essence, your hunt has just begun. When it happens, don't panic or stomp back to your vehicle in disgust. Take a minute to survey the area. Do your best to determine why that buck was hanging where he was. If it was during the rut, is there a known doe bedding area nearby? Check the wind, and how the buck's bed played off it. If you can find the actual bed, what was the deer's view? What was to its backside? How did it leave the area and why did it take that route? These are all critical things to consider when determining stand sites and, just as important, the best access upon your return.
And make no mistake, you should absolutely return. If you're carrying a stand, it's time to strategically set it, and either hunt it immediately, or return stealthily in the predawn.
As you might be starting to realize, once you find a confirmed buck bed, you should learn all you can about the immediate area, because the buck is using it for good reason. It's likely a favorite food and water source are nearby — have you determined where they are? Where is the nearest/best travel pinch point?
Yes, some buck-spooking scenarios are worse than others. If the buck not only sees you but also catches your scent, the encounter might be a bit more damaging. The answer is to always scout your areas walking into the wind. That way a buck may bolt at your brush-cracking approach but might never get an actual visual of you. And so, to the buck, you could be a bear or coyote or wolf that it might encounter regularly. Maybe a reason to run, but not one to vacate the immediate area permanently.
In the end, spooking a buck while in your hunting area is not a good reason to look elsewhere as so many believe. Rather, it's vital information that will help you build a solid strategy to hunt that specific area better and more efficiently than ever.