Advanced Tactics for Hunting Mature Whitetails

Mid-summer is a fine time to start laying the groundwork for the season ahead, and one tactic I’ve had good success with is building mock scrapes well before opening day. The idea is simple: create a scrape that deer begin to check naturally, so by the time season opens, you’ve already got a little history in the area. If you do it right, you’re not just monitoring bucks — you’re conditioning them to use a spot you can hunt later.The best time to start is when bucks are still in their summer patterns, usually around bachelor groups and preferred food...

Most food plots peak once and go dead after the first hard frost. The ones that keep mature bucks coming back from September through January are built around one idea — give deer a reason to stay now, and another reason to return as the season changes. Here's how to build a plot that works all season long.

  For many hunters, the real work starts long before opening day. While the excitement of the season builds, summer is where the foundation is laid for early season success. The scouting you do now, the plots you manage, and the patterns you identify can be the difference between an average season and a memorable one. Here’s how to use the summer months to your advantage and get ahead of the game before the season even opens. 1. Plant Now, Hunt Later: Food Plots with Purpose By midsummer, your food plots should be well-established or approaching maturity. Summer is a...

"You can have the best gear in the world, but if you're not in the right spot at the right time, it won’t matter. That’s where the MoonGuide App gives you the edge." — Adam Hays III, 200"+ Buck Killer & Founder of MoonGuide