Stalking my first Red Buck in Jenolan state forest

[VasHunter]

Just returned from a Jenolan state forest hunt where I have been stalking a bunch of red deer (at least thats what they look like) for a couple of weeks, Exhausting work!!.
I have come across some fawns & hinds the last few visits but trying to track the buck making some nice calls and leaving some large scat behind but cant seem to track him down.
Got close enough to a fawn and some hinds to take but didnt want to ruin the chance on bagging my first buck this time( getting greedy) and the freezer is full of meat anyway.

Spent 2 nights camping last weekend to hear him moaning which got me excited for the next day of hunting but just cant find him anywhere.
Located some fresh feeding trails of theirs ,and even some tree rubs if it was from him.

Im still pretty new to deer hunting and am worried if I dont get him soon they might move on somewhere and have to start from scratch tracking them again ruining all my hard work.... or settle with a hind.

Do you guys agree these scrapes are from a buck? They were very fresh and close to some large scat and one of their trails.

IMG_0898.PNG (502.45 KiB) Viewed 3393 times

Also,
- Is Buck scat usually larger than hinds?
- Will the Buck move on its own once the ruts over?

Heading back late this week to continue my search.
Any help would be awesome.

Thanks

[wrenchman]

sounds like he is beading down during day light try to find the area he is laying up during the day and set up a hide or blind as we call them and get in it the last couple hours of the day try to call the last half hour of day light.
older deer tend to go nocturnal when there is hunting pressure
if you have the females in the area this is good he will be looking for the girls.

[VasHunter]

Thanks wrenchman

Will keep serching and give that a go.

[duncan61]

good hunting