When hunting a wise trophy buck, you'll probably get only one chance at him. If you blow it, most likely he'll disappear into the woods and never be seen again. Sometimes if you're lucky, you may get a second chance, but you will have to change your tactics to outsmart him.

Author Angelo Nogara studied this trophy California blacktail for two months before the archery season opener. Soon after, he took the buck with a 13-yard shot. Photo by Alec Nogara.

While scouting last season, I studied one specific trophy blacktail for two months until I knew his every move. My trail camera captured multiple photos of him in his velvet stage and when he was hard-horned. I was fully prepared and chewing at the bit waiting for the bow opener.

For the first two weeks of the season, I sat in my tree stand waiting for this big buck to pass within bow range. Twice I had a chance at him, and twice he eluded me. Sometimes even a "perfectly planned" setup turns out to have a few unforeseen flaws.

After I made some minor adjustments to my tree stand setup, one evening just before dark everything came together perfectly. I was finally able to outfox this wise, wary buck and was blessed with a 13-yard quartering away shot to claim my hard-earned trophy with my Mathews bow.

WHERE TO HUNT
Start by finding an area known for its genetics and trophy bucks. Look for areas where record-book bucks have been taken during previous hunting seasons. Speak with game biologists, taxidermists, landowners, loggers, rural maintenance workers, UPS drivers and other hunters. You'd be surprised at how much reliable information you can gather by taking a few minutes and speaking with people familiar with the area.

Public Land
We all know how tough it is to find low-pressure hunting spots on public land. They may be rare, but they do exist. These spots usually fall into one of two categories: overlooked areas, and hard-to-get-to areas.

A lot of guys think that to successfully tag a trophy buck, you need to find a large area away from other hunters. But sometimes honeyholes on public land can be found in small overlooked areas, such as a strip of timber bordered by a steep canyon off the side of a major road. Hunters often drive right past these spots on their way to a well-known area. Big bucks aren't stupid. They'll retreat to secure semi-hidden pockets and wait out the opening weekend rush.

You don't need hundreds or even thousands of acres for a successful hunt. All you need is one good spot where you've figured out the behavioral patterns of the deer that inhabit it. Most successful deer hunters usually focus their efforts on ambush spots consisting of no more than a few acres of land. This goes for both public and private lands.

Big, mature bucks react quickly to any type of hunting pressure, temporarily vacating the area for safer ground. They'll seek out hard-to-get-to spots with limited access, such as steep drainages or shale-covered ridges where most hunters are unwilling to go. When forced into these areas, bucks travel on well-established escape routes usually located within saddles or funnels. It's vital for you to find these escape routes and know exactly which one your buck will choose when pressured.

Years ago while on a wilderness hunt, I found an escape route leading through a saddle and watched numerous bucks file through undetected as hunters approached from the canyon below. I set up a natural ground blind 35 yards from the trail and took a very nice trophy buck with my bow that year.

Since that day, I've hunted that same escape route during many of my hunts and have had continuous success. When you can use it to your advantage, sometimes hunting pressure is a good thing.

Private Land
Permission to hunt on private land is usually granted in writing in one of three ways:

1. At no cost
2. For a trespass fee, or
3. For a lease option.

When trying to obtain permission, show consideration and respect to the landowner by approaching months before the season opener. If he's willing to grant it to you, he may need time to move his livestock or equipment before you hunt his property. This will also give you enough time to accurately study the deer population and pattern a trophy buck.