Discretion is not always the better part of valor. While being careful is usually better than forcing things, there are times when being aggressive will pay off.

One way you can be more aggressive is to stalk up on bucks once you know where they are. There’s no better time to get a big buck than when you know exactly where he is. I know, easier said than done. However, it’s time to get aggressive!

Offensive deer hunting only works when all the conditions are right. Maybe you will go deeper into the suspected core areas to get at the bucks you are hunting. Or maybe you will hunt those high activity areas where one mistake (like hunting a marginal wind or having your entry and exit trails discovered) will educate lots of 
deer. Most hunters are too quick to go on offense. In fact, many hunters start by throwing the bomb on the first play of the season. That’s a mistake. There is a balance in successful deer hunting. I preach about a strong defense all the time, but now it’s time to talk offense. Knowing when to switch between the two is an important part of becoming a better deer hunter.

When To Press Your Luck
You should be poised all season for the moment when you can press your advantage. You need your sensors tuned to recognize when things fall in your favor and be ready with a good, aggressive plan. Although it rarely pays to be aggressive, when it does, you will find your best rewards. A good plan is to wait, watch and be ready for action when the time is right. Here is what you need to look for

Basically, you need to know there is a buck you would like to shoot in a certain area at a certain time.

The hardest part of shooting a big deer is the physical act of crossing paths — being in the same area at the same time. Once you know where he is, you have taken a huge step toward success. Now the reward is worth the risk. I don’t like to stink up my best areas if I am not sure there is a good buck there. But it is well worth it once you know he is there. This can play out in two ways.

First, you may know generally where he is. For example, he is in that five-acre woodlot down next to the creek. This is not the time to be cute or clever. Now is the time to sneak into that woodlot and hunt your best stand. Go after him.

Second, you not only know generally where he is, but you know exactly where he is. For example, he is bedded behind that bush across the food plot with a doe.

In both of these situations, you still need to hunt cautiously, but you have to move in and press your luck.

How You Can Know
The most obvious way of knowing a particular buck is in the area is through the use of trail cameras.

Trail cameras have revolutionized how we scout and how we determine where and when to hunt. The only downside is that with most trail cameras, you have to physically visit them to get your photos. Of course, there are models that permit long-range wireless access and some that will even post your photos automatically to a website.