There are several techniques that can be used to hunt early season bucks. The early season is one of the best times to pattern a single mature deer before they go into there mid-fall, typically nocturnal state & then re-appear during the pre rut. Scouting now can be very valuable to pattern a early season mature deer because they are very predictable & you can find out were they are coming out to feed in clover, alfalfa or bean fields this time of year.

Set up in areas of the field that yield shade for them to come out into first as the shade grows over the field deer will tend to follow it during the warm early season. Scout for big deer tracks along field edges & trails that cross creeks & once you find a nice set of tracks determine weather they are made in the afternoon or in the morning & then set up down wind.

Water is another area of consideration during hot/dry early season conditions. Small pockets of pooled water in a creeks near bedding areas or a set up near ponds that may be on your property could pay off, if there are no good trees near by consider a quality deer blind. Place the blind out a few weeks before your hunt so that the deer get used to it.

Another consideration for hunting over water is to make your own water hole, it only needs to be about a 5?x5?x 3? deep water hole to get the near by herd to come to it.

The early season is a great time to get aggressive quick because your window of non-pressured mature deer will shrink fast. The first week of the season can be hot temps & even hotter big deer encounters so try to capitalize on the buck's summer patterns. And always wear your Scent Blocker & play the wind.
Have a safe & productive hunting season,

Xtreme Outdoors
Karl Zainitzer