Matching hunttactics to the personality of the deer you're after will improve your odds

Outdoor writersare always telling readers how old bucks do this and that, as if every deeracts the same way. But bucks are more individualistic than that, according todeer researcher Bryan Kinkel. "Some bucks are more active and less warythan others," Kinkel says. "A few old bucks get photographed on trailcams over and over in broad daylight. Others get their picture taken only onceor twice and always at night." Kinkel says it is the photogenic beasts thatare killed first each season.

Hunt Your DeerType Determine the personality of the buck you're hunting and adjust your tacticsaccordingly. What type of deer is it? AGGRESSIVE Some whitetails are born aggressors and become increasingly brazen as they age.Aggressive bucks travel widely and make a lot of big rubs and scrapes. Duringthe rut, they look for fights with other bucks. These are the bucks you seechasing hot does full bore across fields and down funnels inmid-November. EASYGOING As young deer, these bucks skulk around and avoid confrontations. Even as theymature, possibly to dominant status, they avoid confrontations. Instead, thismellow buck simply wanders off to another area to look for does there. Heblazes fewer rubs and scrapes than his rowdy kin. He'll keep hidden as he seeksout does. Which one is best to hunt? AGGRESSIVE Any time you can hunt an aggressor, you've got a better chance to score. Hisplentiful sign will be easier to find. Since the deer is energetic and moves inwide circles, odds are good he'll make a mistake in daylight hours. When he'srutting, you're apt to see him motoring around anywhere, anytime—even justafter lunch. EASYGOING A mild-mannered buck is a tough nut to crack. It's nearly impossible to get ashot at him. He generally won't approach a food source until dark, especiallyonce he's been hassled by hunters. He also won't parade across an open pasturewhere he can be easily seen. The big boy will move, feed and breed at his ownleisurely pace. How should I hunt it?

AGGRESSIVE Set your stands tight to where you've seen a bold buck feeding and bedding. Usethe wind to your advantage on a cold, high-pressure day when he's apt to keepon the move. Watch fields where does are feeding. Trigger your type-A buck'schallenging nature by grunting or rattling during the rut, when he's stoked torespond.

EASYGOING You've probably glimpsed this big guy only once, and there's little sign of himin the area. But if pressure has been light, he's probably still around. Checkfor tracks. He can't help but leave wide, 4-inch footprints on field edges andin creek crossings. Hunt off that sign. Spend hours in your stands. And beready—you'll only get one chance.

Mike's Quick Tips

HIT THE RANGE

START EARLY: Start going to the range now. Deer seasonwon't open for months, so the joint will probably be empty.

YOUR GOAL: Test-fire several brands of ammo withvarying bullet weights. Zero a load that delivers 1-inch groups at 100 yards.Then commit to twice-monthly range sessions throughout the summer.

IN EACH SESSION: Shoot a total of 10 bullets each timeout. If your range has the facilities, extend your practice shots to 150, 200and 250 yards. Imagine how much more confident you'll be than the millions ofhunters who rush out for one day in September and bang off a few shots to seeif their .270 or .30/06 is still "on."

PRIME TIME FOR SHEDS

WHEN TO LOOK: Search for sheds before the springgreenup in your area.

WHERE TO LOOK: Montana shed-hunting fanatic LucasStrommen loves to work a woodlot that cattle have recently grazed. "As thecows eat the grass and pack down the weeds, they uncover new sheds," hesays.