Hunting Tips Could Help Bag Biggest Bucks

Opening day for deer season is less than two weeks away. Now is the time to get ready.

Channel 11's Andy Gastmeyer learned secrets to help bag the biggest bucks from Rob Hillard, a writer for the magazine Ohio Valley Outdoors.

"When you're out hunting at this time of year, you can do some scouting," said Hillard.

Hunters should look for a "rub", spots where a buck has scraped his antlers against a tree, removing strips of bark and marking off his territory.

Hillard said this tells hunters a buck is in the area.

In State Game Lands #117, there were many such signs such as a scrape where a buck has marked his territory.

Another sign that deer have been in the area is finding fruit trees that are bare below your shoulder.

Open fields are considered prime real estate for deer hunters. They offer plenty to graze on, with clusters of fruit trees and thick underbrush, offering deer a place to hide.

The areas of Allegheny and Washington counties have seen some of the biggest bucks being taken in the state of Pennsylvania.

Some other recommended locations are State Game Lands #95, just east of Slippery Rock, #4 at Raccoon Creek State Park and #42 in the Laurel Ridge Area, although the steeper terrain makes it more of a challenge.

Hunters must deal with the recent antler restrictions, prohibiting hunters from taking any bucks with less than eight points, meaning they all get to live at least a year longer.

The experts said there are more of them and they're a lot smarter, making the hunt more challenging.

Scouting Tips: -Look for antler scrapes on the ground -Look for fresh "rub" on trees -Look for clusters of fruit trees with the fruit up high but missing down low -Find places with thick underbrush

State Game Lands 117 Washington County: From Pittsburgh, follow Parkway west to 22/30 west exit. Stay on 22 West to Rt. 18 (Burgettstown/Post Gazette Pavilion) exit. To get to the SGL, either turn right off the exit ramp onto 18 South and then take the first right after the Pepsi Roadhouse, or turn left off the exit and go about a 1/2 mile to a right at the traffic light onto Old Steubenville Pike (CoGo's on left). In either case, just look for SGL signs.

State Game Lands 95 Butler County: From Butler, take Rt. 38 North to North Washington. To get to the SGL, turn left on Rt. 138 and follow to SGL signs or turn right onto Bruin Road and follow east to Bruin. From Bruin follow Rt. 268 North to SGL signs.

State Game Lands 42 Westmoreland County: From Greensburg, take US 30 East to Rt. 711 North. In New Florence, turn right onto 20th Street (which turns into Furnace Lane). Furnace Lane then turns into Boswell Road. Make a right onto Township Road 962 (Furnace Lane) and follow to SGL parking area.

Raccoon Creek State Park Beaver County: Access the park from the west on US22 and US 30, or from the north and south on PA 18, which passes directly through the park.

More Info: For more information on State Game Lands, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission.