DAY 1

Have you ever noticed from your trail cameras or scouting that as soon as season opens whitetail patterns switch dramatically? This is especially noticeable in areas that experience a lot of pressure. The average hunter is not going to take hunting as serious as most. They tend to wait until the day before season opens to get treestands hung and are for sure sitting in a tree opening day. This increased human activity will push any mature buck in the area into nocturnal habits in a heartbeat.

As I started my hunting journey I consumed as much hunting content as I could. I read an article in North American Whitetail that always stuck with me. I can’t remember who wrote the article, but they were talking about mature buck movement. When talking about pressure they said once a stand is hunted a buck will avoid the location for a minimum of three days and the location will lose its appeal for the rest of the season. After reading that, I always thought if pressure has this much impact on whitetail movement, it’s best to keep your intrusion at a minimum until the time is right.

[Continue reading "Day 1" in the August 2025 issue of Petersen's HUNTING]

More Inside This Issue:

Ultimate Bow Build

The first step in notching your archery tag this fall is choosing the proper gear. By Jace Bauserman

Bowhunter at Heart

Regardless of weapon choice, an archer's mindset will up your odds of success. By Mark Kayser

Down to the Wire

Trials and triumphs on the hunt for a worthy muley in the Land of Enchantment. By Colton Heward

Small Game Traditions

Squirrel hunting hones a hunter's skills and unlocks the secret to a good time. By David Draper