Last year I missed the biggest deer on our property (65 acres +/-) not once, but twice. He showed up a few times after the season to the same spot where I missed him the 2nd time. I started feeding around early august like every year in the same spots to see what kind of deer were still using the property. Devastated to say the least, that I only had 3 does and 4 bucks (young'uns) showing up regularly which is rare because for the last 4 years we've had at least 2 shooters using the feeding stations. I thought this year was going to be not so good until yesterday. I checked a camera I had on my food plot and there beholds the same deer I had missed last year. He had came thru grazing in the plot for at least 20 minutes Saturday afternoon and sunday afternoon between 17:20- 18:00. I plan on not stepping foot into this property until I have the correct wind. But now that the long background history of this deer is out there, do you (a) hunt the plot with the right wind, even though the wind direction changes every 5-10 mins. Or (b) do you wait until rifle season and hide back for a longer shot but less chance of him winding you? My trigger finger is itching but don't want to screw it up, AGAIN.

Oh and btw, nikon scopes and customer service sucks.

I’d hunt it the first chance you’ve got the right wind. He’s not on your property only... if you’ve got pics there’s a real good chance others do too. Forget the misses and get out there and kill him ASAP.

agreed, get it done asap. You aren't the only one hunting him for sure. Nothing is guaranteed.

I'll disagree from the others... I'd go with option #2. If the wind changes constantly, you run the risk of spooking him to the point he won't come through any longer. The chances someone else gets him in bow season is slimmer than it would be in gun season... but there's no guarantee. BTW, I've learned this lesson the hard way while hunting on small tracts.

If you have him somewhat figured out and don’t hunt him because the wind swirls, you might as well quit bowhunting all together.

If ya camera shows that he entered the plot in the same location, id climb in the timber there and try to poke a hole in him.

On some tracts, trying to bowhunt on them is going to be counterproductive to killing a deer. If wind swirls in an area, it's best to either hunt a place from a distance if possible or in a closed up house. One particular property I used to hunt taught me this lesson. The first year I stayed out of it during the entire of bow season I killed our #1 buck on our hit list on the gun hunt opener at 4:30 in the afternoon.

I would wait on Rifle season, and I would really pour the feed to him.
With only 65 acres you run the risk of spooking him off for good.
When rifle season opens the buck will be used to coming to your feeding
Station and you should get your third and final crack at him.
Good luck.

Moved the ground blind about 20 yards closer to plot in thick pines that I've never seen a deer travel through since I've hunted here. If he comes out it can be anywhere from a 30 yard to a 50 yard shot. Wind is right so far. I'm going after him this afternoon.

I get what you’re saying, but I’ll just agree to disagree. I’ve hunted in clubs in Sumpter, Greene, Tuscaloosa, and Jefferson, and I’ve yet to find a place that the wind doesn’t swirl. Matter of fact, I don’t know of a bowhunt I’ve ever been on where I didn’t feel the wind at some point, change directions. I’d definitely wait until things are as right as they can get, but then I’d be there trying to kill him.

Whew. Because going in to feed leaves a different scent than hunting does? I don’t mean to be a smartass, but it does kinda bother me that this is what hunting is becoming. Just my opinion, so don’t take it personally.

Good luck Stoneman!

Unfortunately I don’t feed after opening day. Hunted this afternoon and had the same group of 3 does that are regulars come within 12 yards of the blind. And saw a spike. Unfortunately he didn’t show up. I’m uneasy about being right on top of this food plot so I most likely will back it off to its original spot and just keep pressure off of this property until a good cold snap or the rut; whichever comes first. Thanks for the advice guys