I carefully placed an arrow from my Mathews Conquest III bow into the buck’s vitals.

I returned a few days later and harvested a very nice 3-pointer from that same tree stand, filling my second and final tag during the last week of the 2006 season.

FIND THE DOES
The key to hunting the pre-rut is to locate an area with a high concentration of does. If you find the does, you’ll find the bucks.

Does aren’t accustomed to being pursued by hunters. Usually more relaxed, they show themselves regularly. Does generally prefer congregating in lower elevations below ridges, in tree-lined meadows, open pockets within heavily wooded areas or browsing on lush vegetation near springs. They rarely venture far from an area where they feel secure from predators.

If you are on an early-season hunt and notice an area that does are using day after day, make a note of it and return to that same spot later in the season when the climate changes.

It’s worth a try. During the pre-rut, your chances at finding a buck or two following that same group of does should be very good.

LOCATE SCRAPES AND RUBS
The most important sign elements I look for are primary scrape areas and rub lines. When you find an area containing these, you know you’re in a spot where a dominant buck has marked his territory.

Primary scrape areas are fairly easy to spot and usually are found within a small area. They contain a number of ground scrapes made by a buck as he marks his territory and deposits his scent. Above a scrape, you will also find at least one licking branch where the buck has chewed the end of a small branch and has worked his pre-orbital glands as well as the glands around his tear ducts to leave an added scent.

During the pre-rut, bucks constantly scent-check their scrapes for possible does coming into estrus. They re-work scrapes, visiting a percentage of them throughout the season and freshening them when needed. They do this not only in the early morning hours, but throughout the day, even after all other deer have bedded down.

If you plan on hunting only morning and evening hours, your chances of filling your tag will decrease tremendously. You should plan on hunting throughout the entire day.

Rub lines are made by mature bucks that lay claim to an area. A buck will scrape his antlers on small trees and overhanging branches in order to mark his territory and notify does and other bucks of his presence.

By creating a perimeter of rub lines, usually done in a pattern, a buck intentionally distributes his scent on these limbs and deters other bucks that are seeking does.

PROPER AMBUSH SET-UPS
You can successfully ambush a buck by using any of three methods:

• Still-hunting,

• Ground blinds, or

• Tree stands.

Whichever method you choose, remember that wind direction is the most important factor for success. Always hunt with the wind in your face so that you don’t give away your position.

1. Still-Hunting
Still-hunting is an effective method where an experienced hunter slowly moves through an area at a snail’s pace, trying to locate a buck before the buck spots him.

The problem with performing this tactic during the pre-rut is that although the buck is basically preoccupied, the does are extremely nervous and cautious in a type of hyper-alert mode. They are constantly checking the wind and looking over their shoulder for that buck that’s trying to jump on them from behind.

It can be done, but the chances of a doe busting you are very high. Trust me, I’ve been there.

2. Ground Blinds
A higher-percentage method is to hunt from a ground blind.

Ground blinds can be either natural, -- using elements within the area to conceal yourself -- or can be manufactured pop-up blinds.

Natural blinds can consist of anything from sitting at the base of a growth of trees, concealing yourself within fallen branches or tucking into a bush. This gives a hunter the mobility to set up blinds in a number of different locations.

When setting up your blind, make sure to have an adequate backdrop for your camouflage to naturally blend so you are not silhouetted.

Pop-up blinds give you flexibility to establish a blind in an open area where there may not be enough natural cover for concealment. Other advantages are that they keep you dry and out of the elements and also conceal any small movements which deer would otherwise detect.