Video: An Evening Scrape Visit by the 14-Point Brute (Ottawa - Nov. 11)

[rf2]

rf2 - Funny you should ask, as this is what I do for a living - I'm an outdoor writer/wildlife photographer. Former Field Editor for Ontario Out of Doors (now Contributing Writer.) I spend 100's of hours each fall photographing these whitetail. The reason I have trail cams up is so I can monitor which bucks are in the area. I actually have about 10 different spots I hike and photograph at.
This guy is on the hit list to capture with the camera over the next month. So far, I have come up empty handed. Saying that, I was out this weekend and bumped into one of the 8-point bucks. He actually came within 12 feet of me, grunting, while he followed a doe. Here is a pic I snapped when he was less than 15 feet away, locked on a bedded doe.

Attachment 37659

To see more of my deer images, feel free to check out my stock photo site - just use the drop down menus at the top:

http://www.JustinHoffmanOutdoors.zenfolio.com

Cheers,
Justin

So do you treat the situation just as a hunter would - set-up a treestand nearby, go in before first light, leave after last light?

[Justin Hoffman]

I do 'act' much like a hunter, in terms of being quiet, but these are urban deer that have become somewhat accustomed to people, due to this being public land that is used for hiking, etc. I mainly walk through the woods with camera in hand. When the rut is in full swing, these bucks couldn't even care less that I am there. In fact, I could make as much noise as possible - he often won't even turn to look at me if he has a doe in his sights.