Most hunters accept the fact that the easiest time to bag a trophy buck is throughout the rut. The reason for this is due to the fact that the males usually reduce their level of alertness whilst attempting to mate. This therefore is then the easiest period to go out hunting.
The rut starts with the males scraping the ground underneath a branch of a tree across their area. It is simply a mark in the floor that should be seen by the rest of the males in the surrounding area. The reason for this is in order to decide which male is the dominant male in that area. As the first buck has scented the scratch in the ground (using his many glands for this purpose), the rest of the males will start to appear and begin to enlarging the scrape and adding their scent to the spot.
You'd think that, when you come across a sizeable groove you'd assume it could be a good spot to rig up a stand or blind and pass the time until the next bold male to stroll over. Sadly for us, bucks usually only wander through and leave their scents at night - which is unfortunate but is the most usual occurrence.
Once the season kicks off the males will begin the process of beefing up their strength by brushing and pushing their heads against trees and banks. This action in addition helps to rub off the velvet-like material from their racks, preparing them for the coming fights. The rest of the trophy males should notice these marks, and also during this period they begin to pee in the scratches. This therefore is without doubt the easiest period to be on the hunt for trophy deer as at this time their concentration is elsewhere; they're only concerned on seeking females as opposed to being only concerned with being attacked.
The males will carry on to urinate in scrape marks and deposit their smell all over until a doe urinate in the scratch, this allows the established buck to know that he can mate her. Of course he should then come by at these scratches as often as he can.
It's often best practice to be out and about hunting for longer periods of time once the rut starts - the moment you begin to see scratches in the ground in the area. This action should improve your chances of seeking a monster buck while his concentration is elsewhere. If you're wondering if the rut has started, check the rear legs of a male deer. He has special tarsal scent sacks there (that he urinates on) also commonly called hawks, and they tend to go darker throughout the rut.
The biggest point why the rut is the easiest period for hunting is due to the fact that the males are focused elsewhere. They are concentrated primarily on seeking a doe and fighting with other bucks, giving the hunter a far better opportunity than at the rest of the times of the season.
If you're eager to increase your likelihood of shooting a trophy to be proud of this time around, you should be out in the woods as long as you possibly can. Also, try to keep in your head that when you're out there, if you desire to take down a trophy - leave the smaller ones! It may seem obvious, but I think we've all done it! When you've been out there for the best part of a day you can easily settle for less. In a lot of instances this stops us shooting a big buck at all, this is due to the fact that the more mature whitetail deer will likely stay hidden in bushes and trees much longer and will get frightened by the gunshot/arrow.