Using Infinite Outdoors to Get Your Best Whitetail Buck

Justin Hunold

10/09/2024

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For dedicated whitetail deer hunters, few moments match the adrenaline rush of spotting a mature buck making its way through the woods. Whether you’re in pursuit of a giant deer with a heavy rack or hoping for that one-in-a-lifetime, wall-hanger trophy, whitetail deer hunting is an art that requires patience, strategy, and, above all, access to suitable land. The challenge of bagging a whitetail buck is as exciting as it is demanding. The difference between a good season and a great one often boils down to securing prime hunting spots and making smart tactical choices.

This is where Infinite Outdoors transforms the game. The Infinite Outdoors app gives DIY hunters unprecedented access to privately owned lands, many of which are managed for low-pressure hunting—a critical advantage in the quest for a trophy buck. Forget the over-hunted public lands or the costly hassle of negotiating private leases. With Infinite Outdoors, you’re a few taps away from a productive, whitetail-rich hunting property that increases your chances of encountering that elusive buck.

In this article, we’ll explain how to use the Infinite Outdoors app to book DIY hunts and offer top tips for pursuing whitetail bucks. We’ll cover essential strategies for calling, rattling, decoying, and utilizing treestands, tree saddles, ground blinds, and spot-and-stalk tactics to increase your odds of harvesting a huge deer.

Booking a DIY Whitetail Hunt with Infinite Outdoors

The Infinite Outdoors app is built for hunters who want flexibility and quality access without the traditional hassles of securing private land. This unique platform opens the doors to hunting opportunities often locked behind expensive leases or limited availability. Here’s how to maximize your experience with the app when booking your DIY whitetail hunt:

• Scout Properties Early: Whitetail hunters know the early bird gets the worm. This applies not only to getting into the field but also to securing your hunting grounds. Infinite Outdoors offers detailed property listings with information about the terrain, deer habitat, local food sources, and potential treestand or ground blind locations. By scouting and booking properties well ahead of the season, you ensure you’re not missing out on premium spots.
• Look for Low-Pressure Properties: One of the greatest challenges on public land is the heavy hunting pressure, which makes mature bucks harder to find. Many properties available through Infinite Outdoors are managed with limited hunting pressure, which means the bucks need to be more educated and more likely to stick to natural movement patterns. This gives DIY hunters a real edge, especially when hunting for big deer.
• Book for Different Phases of the Rut: Whitetail hunting isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. Bucks behave differently as the season progresses, so adapting your hunting strategy to these phases is crucial. The flexibility of Infinite Outdoors allows you to book different properties during pre-rut, peak rut, and post-rut, optimizing your chances for success. You can even take multiple trips in a season, targeting different phases of the rut on diverse terrains—something that’s nearly impossible with traditional leases.
• Maximize Property Variety: Some bucks are found deep in the woods; others live on the edges of crop fields or river bottoms. Infinite Outdoors offers a wide range of habitats, allowing you to hunt mature bucks in different settings, whether you’re drawn to dense hardwoods, open prairie, or mixed agricultural land.

Top Tips for DIY Whitetail Buck Hunting

Bagging a mature whitetail buck is no easy feat. These deer have survived multiple seasons, developing sharp instincts and a near-photographic memory of their surroundings. DIY hunters need to employ various techniques to outsmart their quarry. Let’s dive into some proven strategies to help you pursue your life's biggest deer.

1. Calling and Rattling

Calling and rattling can be highly effective, especially during the pre-rut and rut phases when bucks seek dominance and compete for does. However, it’s not just about making noise—it’s about making the right noise at the right time.

• Grunt Calls: Buck grunts are used by whitetails to communicate with other deer in the area. When done correctly, a grunt call can imitate a young buck looking for a fight or a mature buck asserting his territory. Start with soft, subtle grunts. If there’s no response, gradually increase the volume and intensity. Try combining grunt calls with estrus bleats to simulate a hot doe in the area, which can be a powerful attractant for nearby bucks.
• Rattling Antlers: If you’re hunting a big, dominant buck, nothing gets their attention like the sound of rattling antlers. Rattling simulates two bucks locked in battle, and it can bring in a dominant buck looking to defend his territory. Use real or synthetic antlers to recreate the sound of clashing racks. The best times to rattle are during the pre-rut and early rut when bucks are most aggressive. Remember that rattling often works best in more open areas where the sound can travel further.
• Combine with Scents: Always pay attention to scent control to maximize your success when calling or rattling. Bucks will often approach downwind to investigate, and if they catch a whiff of human scent, they’ll be gone before you even know they were there. Use scent-elimination sprays and hunt with the wind in your favor.

2. Decoying

Decoying can be a deadly effective strategy during the rut, particularly when bucks are actively searching for does or competing with other bucks.

• Buck Decoys: A buck decoy can trigger an aggressive response from a dominant buck. The sight of an intruding male on his turf is often enough to bring a big buck running in for a confrontation. Place the decoy in an open area where it’s highly visible, and combine it with calling or rattling for the full effect.
• Doe Decoys: Doe decoys are equally effective, especially during peak rut. Bucks are on high alert for receptive does, and a well-placed doe decoy can lure a love-struck buck right into your shooting lane. Position the decoy in feeding areas or along travel corridors where does are naturally present.
• Decoy Placement Tips: When setting up decoys, position them in shooting range, but also think about how a buck is likely to approach. Most bucks will circle downwind before committing, so place your stand or blind accordingly.

3. Treestands and Tree Saddles

For most whitetail hunters, treestands remain the go-to method for harvesting a whitetail buck. The elevated position lets you stay out of the deer’s immediate line of sight and gives you a clearer view of the terrain.

• Selecting the Right Tree: When using a treestand, choosing a tree that offers good cover and blends in with the surrounding environment is crucial. A well-camouflaged setup can mean the difference between success and failure, as mature bucks are incredibly wary of any unnatural shapes or movements. Be sure to hunt the wind, as bucks will approach cautiously, and almost always try to scent-check before committing.
• Tree Saddles for Mobile Hunters: Tree saddles have become increasingly popular for the DIY hunter who prioritizes mobility. A tree saddle allows you to set up quickly in various trees without the bulk of a traditional treestand. This flexibility makes it easier to stay mobile and adapt to changing deer patterns throughout the season. Whether you’re scouting new terrain or chasing a buck across multiple properties, a tree saddle can be a game-changer.

4. Ground Blinds

Ground blinds are an excellent choice for hunters who are targeting deer in areas without suitable trees for a stand or those hunting in open fields where concealment is key.

• Setup for Success: The most important aspect of hunting from a ground blind is concealment. Set up your blind well before the hunt to give the deer time to get used to it. Use natural vegetation and brush to break up its outline and make it blend into the environment. If you’re hunting a property booked through Infinite Outdoors, check ahead of time to see if ground blinds are already in place.
• Advantages and Disadvantages: Ground blinds offer great concealment, but they can limit your visibility compared to an elevated position in a treestand. They’re also excellent for keeping you hidden from a deer’s sharp vision, but scent control is still crucial. Bucks may not see you, but they can certainly smell you, so always keep the wind direction in mind.

5. Spot-and-Stalk

While treestand hunting is the most popular method for harvesting a whitetail buck, spot-and-stalk hunting can be a thrilling and effective approach, especially in open terrain or when hunting heavily pressured bucks that have grown wary of traditional setups.

• Use Optics to Your Advantage: Spot-and-stalk hunting requires patience and sharp glassing skills. Use binoculars or a spotting scope to locate a target buck from a distance. Once you've spotted a deer, carefully plan your stalk, using the natural contours of the terrain—hills, ridges, and brush lines—to conceal your approach.
• Stay Silent and Watch the Wind: Wind direction is critical in spot-and-stalk hunting. One wrong move, and a mature buck will bolt before you even get close. Move slowly, watch your noise levels, and constantly check the wind. If possible, position yourself for a shot as the deer feeds or bed down.

The Infinite Outdoors Advantage

The Infinite Outdoors app isn’t just about gaining access to private land; it’s about gaining an edge. As DIY hunters, we all know that the more time we spend on low-pressure land, the better our chances of encountering your best whitetail buck.