I shot this guy in Karnes County two years ago and had a candle about thirty yards from where he dropped. I was sitting in a tripod adjacent to a creek/treeline where he walked out with his nose to the ground following almost exactly the same path that two does had walked 30 minutes prior.
Their tails were down, but he obviously was interested enough to show up, but I didn’t wait around to see if he went to the candle. This guy was so big that within a second I decided to pull the trigger.
I’ve had a couple of bucks, in two different counties, get a whiff downwind of an estrous candle, change directions and make a b-line for the scent so I know they work.
Also, I’ve had a little buck walk up to a dominant buck candle in a coffee can, take a whiff, kick the can over and run away with his tail up. Both unique experiences and it’s not always about pulling the trigger. I’ve admittedly used a Buck Bomb out of the convenience and my girlfriend shot a nice buck with one, but I had an issue with an exploding can and decided that a hot scent is always better. If there’s a retailer in the Austin area let me know.
Happy Holidays,
Matthew Scherzer