I had two huge buck patterned all summer. They were part of a four buck bachelor group. I saw them using the same trail in Aug

[Steigy]

I had two huge buck patterned all summer. They were part of a four buck bachelor group. I saw them using the same trail in August, the first week of September (still in velvet) then mid September just the two big ones were seen (velvet shed), then when archery started in October they were no where to be seen, until I spotted them after dark coming out about 30 minutes after dark. I don't believe they were pressured, so what happened to make them go nocturnal when all summer they were coming out just prior to sunset?

[JM1993]

It could be one of too many things to narrow it down. Just because a deer becomes nocturnal doesnt mean that you did something wrong. Most big bucks become nocturnal..they dont get that big/old by being dumb. That is why so many big deer are killed during the rut, they chase does non stop which exposes them during the daylight.

[huntfishtrap]

Hey, I wish I knew! But then, so do a lot of other people. I don't think anyone really knows for sure, but I would say at least 90% of bucks become more nocturnal in the fall than they are in the summer, regardless of whether or not they're pressured. So the upshot is, we all just gotta deal with it, because it's probably going to happen no matter what.

[6phunter]

welcome to big buck hunting,never bet your eggs on one or two bucks