Anybody have advice on finding bucks?

[MasterOogway]

I bought this game about 4-5 days ago and have been enjoying it quite a bit. The only thing that's bugging me is that no matter where I seem to go whenever I'm hunting deer, the only thing that I can find is does. I've found one buck so far and I managed to get silver on it but whenever I sneak up to a need zone or if I just stumble on to a herd it's always only does and zero bucks. Am I doing something wrong or am I just very unlucky?

[MAGE]

In the tips, tricks, and guides sections there is lots of info for new folks. Also I am sure you will get lots of advice on your post here. as you level up you will gain perks and skill points. Chose them wisely. I will tell you my way of getting lots of bucks.
I hunt the drink zones for the whitetails. 1230-430pm. I start on the lower right corner of layton map at a outpost or tent. You can change time by clicking on bed or sleeping bag. it cost money but as you kill stuff you make money.
Go to every lake. Approach with wind in face if possible. On your way there check every track you find. open need zones as you find them. If you see other animals shoot them. Dont shoot anything after you get about 200 yards from lake. Approach the lake crouched. find spot that you can see around the lake. Use binoculars full zoom scan around lake including foilage and trees. If deer behind foilage etc. the spoting thing will light them up. Alot of times deer wont show up till after 1pm sometimes later. If you spot a deer drinking you will open need zone. also spawn areas will have lots of tracks in a circle.
Dont kill more then 2-3 deer per lake. killing more will kill the need zone. Only shoot bucks. Chances are you will only be able to kill 1-2 anyways before they take off.
Then go collect your prizes. While making your way around the lake. check all tracks and open up need zones. dont open zones that dont have deer hoof tracks. After collecting your dead animals. save the ones you want to put in trophy lodge till later when you have enough money.
Then move on to next lake going up the map untill 430pm. Then go to nearest outpost, change time back to 1230pm and keep going. Sometimes I will follow tracks of deer to find them as well.
After the lakes do the rivers. I setup tents along rivers to change times in . Scan across the rivers and ahead of you for deer. keep wind if possible blowing away from river and in your face. Work your way around all drink zones. This takes me about 32 hours real time playing. So when you quit for day do it at closest outpost or tent you want to continue when you play again. The more you do this the more experience you get the more and bigger bucks you will see. It works for me. Since december of 2020, I have gotten many diamond bucks, and three great one whitail bucks. 2 from layton and one from rancho.
happy hunting. No luck involved. its just time consuming experience and strategy.

[Lakel]

Little additional details on hunting pressure, Bow kills inflict far less per kill, same for kills from hunting stands/blinds. As well there are only so many animals using each need zone, see a big herd? go nuts with a bow. Only 3-5 in the herd, then be conservative, more might spawn and add later to the herd, that you know where to find if you dont kill off their drink zone.

[jjs82x]

In addition to all the good advice already given --> Bucks, especially the higher value ones (i.e., diamonds) often do not travel with the does. If a need zone is active from noon to 3:00, the does and a buck or two might show up at 12:05 and leave at 3:00 sharp, but the higher value bucks may visit that need zone at 11:45 and leave at 1:00, or come in at 3:10 and leave at 4:00. I can't say I've seen this many times, but I have seen a few.

Like MAGE said, you want to find and preserve all the need zones you can. Don't wipe out the herds of does; but shoot every buck you can: the same gender and species will re-span in the same or different herd. That lowly runt buck you shoot may get reincarnated as a diamond or mythical.

[SavageWhiteDude]

Sounds like hunting in real life.. lol

[xaosxaos]

Get a job. :P