Buck Core Areas (FTPO)
As I wrote in my book “Proven Whitetail Tactics”, core areas are those places inhabited by big bucks during non-breeding or non-stressful times. When they’re not chasing hot does or struggling to survive life-threatening situations or harsh elements, bucks will spend the majority of the time feeding, watering and traveling within the boundaries of an established range.
Now it’s pretty much a given that no two core areas are the exact same size. Many factors can dictate just how much acreage each individual buck will include in his core area. The single largest factor, however, has to be the location of adequate bedding cover in relation to the location of preferred foods and, sometimes, watering spots.
For the most part, especially during late summer and early fall, whitetail bucks are pretty much homebodies. To our benefit is the fact that bucks usually adopt fairly predictable lifestyles during this time. And this is exactly why so many serious hunters prefer to hunt targeted bucks now, rather than during the rut–when those same deer could be chasing hot does miles away from their core areas.
I’m certainly not discouraging hunters from being in the woods during the rut. I’m merely saying that, because of their nomadic lifestyles, rutting bucks often are impossible to pattern. But have faith, provided they survive the rigors of the rut, big bucks almost always return to their home core areas once breeding is over. To our benefit, they oftentimes adopt the exact same patterns they displayed during the pre-rut. Which makes them pattern-able.
Hey remember, hunt hard, but always hunt safe!
