How to Hunt Returning Bucks from the Previous Season

Big 12’s unmistakable split G-4s materialized in the cedars ahead of me. Bow already in hand, I laser-eyed that buck as he slowly picked his way through the pokeberries. Within a few minutes, he was broadside and 24 yards out. I came to full draw, settled the pin and released one more breath. A millimeter movement of my index finger sent that fateful arrow downrange. It connected, and Big 12 disappeared into the timber. Then, silence.

I followed that buck for three years, possibly four. Each summer, he returned to run it back another season on the farm. I saw the buck in person many times and learned much about him. This deer taught me more than most, and it wouldn’t have happened without targeting this specific returning buck.

Of course, from year to year, some deer get shot and vanish. Others find better homes and are never to be seen again. But some return. Here’s what you should know about those reappearing bucks.

A Revelation of Consistency

Through my own anecdotal experience, and the stories of hunters I trust, a revelation of consistency emerged. While it doesn’t happen with every deer, some bucks display a brow-raising behavior. It’s an occurrence where bucks show uncanny levels of consistency year-over-year.

In some bucks, it might mean returning to the same spot on the same date at the same time. At least, very close to it. Barring significant changes to the landscape, I’ve seen this happen numerous times in bucks that I’ve monitored or hunted.

In other bucks, it isn’t quite that exact, but deer reliably return to the same area for certain phases of the season. For example, a deer might consistently return for the summer and early season, pre-rut, rut or late season, but not the other phases. Generally, it results in a deer being a core buck before the rut, during the rut or after the rut. In some instances, bucks live on location for two out of three.

Of course, other writers and hunters have come to the same realization. Even so, some remain skeptical. But I’ve seen enough to trust the discovery.

Factoring in Seasonal Dispersal

Another factor to understand is seasonal dispersal. Deer rarely live in the exact same locations all year long. Changes in needed bedding cover, food sources, water availability, hunting pressure and reproductive factors influence this behavior. In turn, this impacts if, when and where deer return each year.

Changing food sources impact how deer use the land. It can also play a role in where deer go and when. As food sources come and go, so do deer. Whitetails hit green soybeans until they turn color in late summer. They consume white oak acorns in early fall. Deer consume woody browse in late winter. Foods change. Locations change.

Changes in bedding cover do the same. In the summer, bucks need open, low-lying canopy where the wind carries through to cool deer down. They also need fewer sticks and limbs to bang their sensitive velvet-clad antlers against. Of course, once hunting pressure starts, they seek out areas that offer sanctuary, thick cover, yet open visibility where they can see. When cold weather arrives, they might even seek out solar or thermal bedding cover. Of course, these are but a few reasons why deer might transition from one spot to the next or show up at the same time each year.

Increasing and decreasing testosterone levels influence where deer go as well. As the rut nears, deer transition into the areas they’ll spend that phase of the season. It can seem random as to why some bucks go, and some stay for the rut, but about 50 percent of deer transition to different areas.

Obviously, deer density plays a role, too. Higher or lower numbers can influence whether deer spend time in an area or move on. Mature bucks especially prefer isolation. Personal space matters. So, outside of the peak rut, don’t expect a lot of mature bucks to live in an area full of does, fawns and smaller bucks.

Recognize a Return Deer

Those who hope to know whether a deer is a “return buck,” or not, must be able to recognize a return deer. There are numerous ways to do this, but the easiest ways include antler structure, antler size, body size, facial characteristics, unique markings, behavioral consistencies, and home ranges and core areas.

Antler structure tends to remain similar year-over-year. Bucks tend to increase or decrease in size (age depending), and the number of points sometimes fluctuates. But the overall shape of the buck’s rack expresses recognizable consistencies. For example, a wide deer will be wide each year. A tall, narrow deer will retain that shape for its lifespan. A buck with tall tines, heavy mass, or other characteristics will maintain these elements with each new set of antlers. In fact, brow tine size, shape and location on the main beam tend to be very consistent.

As mentioned, antler size (score) changes each year, which is influenced by age, nutrition, rain, health, stress, etc. However, a deer that’s unusually big or uniquely small (comparable to the average score for the age), likely will be each year.

Of course, injuries and illness can influence both antler size and structure. For example, a deer that damages its antler pedicle tends to grow a very non-typical antler on that side. A whitetail that damages a growing antler will result in a uniquely-shaped antler, too. A buck that injures a front leg will grow an oddly shaped antler on the same side of the body. In contrast, one that injures a rear leg typically grows an abnormal antler on the opposite side of the body. Few crazy antlers are truly a result of genetics.

Like most mammals, some are genetically inclined to join heavier or lighter weight classes. This results in varying body sizes from deer to deer. While it can be difficult to gauge, studying trail camera photos can help in recognizing return bucks.

Furthermore, deer tend to express different body characteristics and changes from age class to age class. Learning to age a buck on the hoof helps learn these differences and can aid in determining if it’s a return deer, or a different one.

Facial characteristics are very important. Each deer has a different facial appearance. First, deer have different colored fur. Some express lighter or darker shades. Also, the forehead patch is especially important. Oftentimes, bucks can have forehead patches that are black, dark gray, light gray, dark brown, light brown or even a reddish color. Each deer has slightly different markings around the nose, chin and mouth, too. These things can help differentiate one deer from another.

Other unique markings aid in the process, too. Broken legs. Identifiable scars. Rips or tears in ears. These and more are sometimes used in recognizing return bucks.

Behavioral consistencies can do the same. A deer might be known to use certain bedding areas, food sources, water sources, etc. Furthermore, they might be inherently aggressive, passive or indifferent. Perhaps they are loners that prefer to avoid other deer. These things often remain consistent.

Lastly, home ranges and core areas can help differentiate deer, too. Some whitetails inhabit the same locations each year, which can be another clue hunters use.

Killing a Return Buck

Hunting one specific deer is no small task. Targeting one individual deer is a different style of hunting than typical hunting. It takes another layer of skills that aren’t required to kill deer in general.

While that’s a different topic for another time, deer hunters should become fluent in all things required to find, pattern and profile unique, individual whitetails. Determine what makes them tick. Learn their bedding habits, feeding routines, travel patterns and more. Learn if they’re aggressive, passive or somewhere in-between. Study intel from past years, and in-season revelations, to find potential interception points. Find the chink in its armor, and there’s a chance you just might kill that return buck this fall or winter.

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