The Patterning Process: Part I

by
posted on December 16, 2015
patterning_process_part_1_f.jpg

Patterning (or the attempt to pattern) is the most enjoyable part of the season. I really enjoy trying to put the puzzle together. It can be a real mind-bender with some bucks. Every one of them is different, so you never know what you are getting into until you dig in.

A buck I have been following for three years (nicknamed Big Jr.) showed up on trail camera earlier this fall. Now I have to figure out where he might be killable.

Big Jr. is six years old this year. I tried to kill him last year but was unsuccessful. He looks pretty good right now! I need to figure him out a bit better though. Last year, I saw him three times in daylight, but I never spent the time needed to learn where he was living.

I am getting a few photos of him coming to a food plot, but he is not getting there until after dark. The closer I can hunt to where he is coming from, the better my odds will be of a daylight sighting.

He approaches the camera from the same direction each evening, so I am going to move three cameras to accessible spots a few hundred yards in that direction. You can learn a lot from trail camera photos if you study them carefullysuch as where the deer is likely coming from in the evening, which can lead to a few educated guesses on where he may be bedding. The closer you can get to daylight photos, the closer you likely are to his core area. That is the goalto figure out where he is spending most of his time and then go from there.

In my efforts to search for his core, I may jump right past him with my camera locations. That is OK. I want to rule out the backside fringe areas before I go to work on the cover nearest the food plot. Actually, I hope he is coming from a ways away. If not, he is ridiculously nocturnal, not arriving at the food plot until several hours after dark. If he is coming a ways to get there, I still have some hope of finding some place where he is on his feet in daylight.

I will bring you details on the whole patterning process in future blogsstarting with the next one when I go through the findings of this round of camera moves.

Latest

Trijicon New MRO SD Lead
Trijicon New MRO SD Lead

First Look: Trijicon New MRO SD

The next generation of Trijicon’s Miniature Rifle Optic is optimized for use with a magnifier.

Revolver Build: Fink's Custom Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Magnum

This big bore revolver is tricked out for handgun hunting, defense against dangerous game and personal protection. 

First Look: JK Armament RPX .30Cal Suppressor

JK Armament is proud to announce its all-purpose .30-caliber suppressor, the JK 155 RPX .30CAL.

Behind the Bullet: 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum

Curious about the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum? Learn about the history and performance of this storied cartridge in Phil Massaro's latest Behind the Bullet.

First Look: Rossi LWC Folding Stock

Rossi's Lightweight Carbine (LWC) has been a favorite truck gun and scouting rifle for hunters since its introduction. Now, Rossi USA is taking it a step further with the launch of the Rossi LWC Folding Stock—available both as a complete rifle and as an easy-to-install accessory for current LWC owners.

Safe Gun Storage After Hunting Season

With the close of deer seasons, many hunters have stored their firearms. While the basics of gun safety are covered in hunter education programs, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) recently issued a reminder that storage out of season should be reviewed by sportsmen.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.