Since second chances at big bucks rarely come, most trophy hunters never take chances when it comes to wind direction. In fact, hunting where the wind blows toward the area where you expect the deer to come from is one sure way to never see the buck you are waiting for. Thus, if the wind is wrong for a particular ambush location, choose another even if it is not as promising. Also, pay close attention to air currents as you approach a stand site since they may differ from the actual wind direction. This can be accomplished easily by using scentless wind testing powder or the popular Wind Floaters.

Watching an area is often better than stand hunting when you need to know if a big buck exists. However, do your watching from a safe distance to remain undetected.

When the wind is variable near a stand site in a dense area, Hillsmeyer suggests you choose a more favorable location. For instance, he often places a stand in open areas, such as a fence line or ditch. He claims these areas are more prone to have consistent wind directions than those bordered by big timber, or located near hills and hollows.

Hunt Often
I have harvested a few trophy-caliber whitetails. Each of them came only after I made it a point to be there every chance I had, regardless of whether it was early season or peak rut. Sure, you could get lucky and have a wall-hanger pass by your stand the first or second time out. However, most bowhunters do not achieve this luck until they have put many hours into their hunting. They also realize that if they are there, they have a chance of seeing Mr. Big. As Hillsmeyer puts it, "You can think of a thousand excuses why you shouldn't hunt, but the buck you are after is the one good reason to be there."

The best point that Hillsmeyer makes about hunting often, though, is learning something each time you are there. "You may not see that big one, but you could see deer or other sign that will tell you where the big one might soon be," explains Hillsmeyer. Logically speaking, we can safely assume that the whitetail's habits change considerably from early to late season. Food sources change, as does the foliage. Each plays an important part in the whitetail's habits, and the hunter that is there when opportunity allows may stay one step ahead of the bucks.

Move Consistently
There is one obvious reason why you should have several stand sites. This guarantees you a site to hunt where the wind is favorable on a given day. The reason to move a particular ambush location consistently, though, is less obvious. I have no idea how many stands I set up during the '97 hunting season. I do know, however, that each served as an important tool that led to my success, a 140-inch buck that I saw on three separate occasions from three stands. The third site finally paid off late in the season, because I made just one more move to intercept the buck.

Moving consistently may be necessary if you want to keep a buck from knowing you are there. The old saying, "The first time you hunt a location is often the best" should always be reconciled. Moving a stand, sometimes 100 yards or less, may be all it takes to cash in on an unsuspecting trophy buck.

The author spotted this 11-point buck on three occasions before finally intercepting him just before the archery season closed. He attributes his success to moving stands consistently and keeping bucks guessing.

The terrain you pass through to access your stand will play a major part in how often you need to make a move. Hillsmeyer claims that if he can use a creek or a ditch to get to and from a stand site, the site will remain active for a long period. On the other hand, if he must pass through a woods where he creates a disturbance, he avoids hunting it day after day and may occasionally move the stand. He believes that you must judge each stand site by the way it is accessed.

"If I have my way, I'll hunt one stand one time and then move to another one," notes Hillsmeyer. "You don't have to move a mile. Sometimes, just a little farther up or down a ridge will make all the difference. The idea is to keep the bucks guessing and never let them know where you are."

You must also consider the type of stand you use. I prefer portable stands and climbing steps because I can get in and out of them quietly. I can also move them at a moment's notice without a hassle. Climbing stands that make little noise are also preferred by many bowhunters since they can move anywhere, anytime. The last move to consider may surprise you. If the wind direction is wrong, or if weather does not promote the idea of hunting in a tree stand, try still-hunting or a ground blind. It's true that most bowhunters feel vulnerable to any deer, particularly a mature whitetail buck, if they are not in a tree. However, a move to the ground is an option that should not be overlooked.

Although Hillsmeyer enjoys tree stand hunting, he has taken a few of his bucks on the ground. He prefers a wet floor and a stiff wind so that he can move quietly. During the early season, even when the foliage is thick, he may still-hunt if the right opportunity exists. He claims that his visibility is sometimes better on the ground than it is in a tree, and there is plenty of cover to keep him hidden if he hunts cautiously and patiently.

You could say that hunting for a trophy buck is like baking a cake. You can use various methods to cook it, but the right ingredients are necessary if you hope to produce a finished product. In the case of hunting trophy whitetails, scrapes, rubs, trails and food sources are the methods. The five previously mentioned topics are the ingredients.