Activity during lockdown
- Thread starter log72
- Start date
Yep
Find the newest Deer sign and hunt it.
Deer patterns will change when food sources change and when the cover they were using begins to diminsh.
Crops have been harvested,and thick cover begins to die off, while food sources dwindle.
All of this is part of the changes during fall.
It's really a non-stop scouting adventure and finding the Deer sign is about the only solution to finding the Deer.
Yeah you can get lucky, but searching high and low for Rubs,Scrapes,Tracks,Trails,Food Sources,Cover and certain terrain features that Deer prefer during windy conditions along with water sources should be a part of everyones strategy.
Google maps helps, aerial views can give good starting points.
It is just like everything else, the more you put into it the more you can get out of it.
Once you learn a certain property it gets easier, but can then start to change for other reasons. Which puts you back to square 1- Searching for Deer Sign.
It is a never ending learning process and I think it would be boring if it were not.
Deer patterns will change when food sources change and when the cover they were using begins to diminsh.
Crops have been harvested,and thick cover begins to die off, while food sources dwindle.
All of this is part of the changes during fall.
It's really a non-stop scouting adventure and finding the Deer sign is about the only solution to finding the Deer.
Yeah you can get lucky, but searching high and low for Rubs,Scrapes,Tracks,Trails,Food Sources,Cover and certain terrain features that Deer prefer during windy conditions along with water sources should be a part of everyones strategy.
Google maps helps, aerial views can give good starting points.
It is just like everything else, the more you put into it the more you can get out of it.
Once you learn a certain property it gets easier, but can then start to change for other reasons. Which puts you back to square 1- Searching for Deer Sign.
It is a never ending learning process and I think it would be boring if it were not.
volunteer1
Well-Known Member
I personally attempt to hunt the freshest sign as possible and have yielded success due that. However I do have �good ole permanent stand sites� on my property that produce year after year that I always fall back on! Hunt when you can and as often as you can!
BSK
Well-Known Member
muddyboots said:
X2.
You know what really gripes me is, I set up stands on travel areas as close to the most secluded areas of the property(where humans can't enter). Then I here shots fired, only to find out it was someone in the open fields shooting at a nice buck running across a field!
REM7
Well-Known Member
log72 said:
been there, its sucks. but keep doin what you doin it will pay off
BSK
Well-Known Member
REM7 said:
Exactly. Every year lucky hunters kill mature bucks as they chase does across food plots and open fields. But the opportunity to kill mature bucks near thick cover will outnumber those in open fields 10 to 1.
BSK, you must be the most patient individual in the known world. You take the time to answer the same questions over & over(yes im part of that problem). Im sure I speak for everyone when I say thanks for the info!
BSK
Well-Known Member
Oh, don't worry; you'll eventually see someone "push my buttons!"
But education is why I'm here. Educated hunters make wise management decisions. Wise management decisions make for better hunting for everybody.
But education is why I'm here. Educated hunters make wise management decisions. Wise management decisions make for better hunting for everybody.
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
Of course! Why people believe you need to set up on the thickest of thickets has always puzzled me. It seems like those are always the folks complaining about not seeing anything or low sightings of deer 1-3 deer every other hunt or so. You would think they would change their hunting style but they don't for some reason. Every bigger or mature buck I've killed has been in fields, sometimes on the inside corner, sometimes working the edge and sometimes crossing the wide open. The past several weeks up to now has been the time to do this style of set up. The bucks are new to the area for the most part and their trying to follow the doe trails. A buck may eventually pin a doe down in some thick stuff but what's the odds you're going to already be in such a narrow breeding area. Not all open fields are created equally so using key surrounding terrain features as well as field content, will dictate whether your hunting the open field or just back off it (50-100 yds).log72 said:
Mature bucks certainly can be killed in the big woods but I believe you increase your odds if you have some good open fields where you've pinpointed deer activity. Your set up is almost always going to be in the corner of the field, hopefully being able to cover some section of woods as well as covering a good portion of the corner of the open field.
I have used the info you have given for rut timing. It has kept me interested in the remainder of the season. My last three hunts have given me a sighting of 2 small bucks & not a single doe. I have concidered the overhunting aspect but the relative number of days from the initial cruising/seeking phase puts deer in my area in the peak breeding/lockdown phase.
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
I believe you misunderstand what I'm saying. Field edges work like funnels, especially for does, which bucks are following. Not all fields are the same, so not all will be beneficial. It's not about food, it's about travel routes. By all means, continue to hunt thick stuff then gripe about the guy shooting a good buck in a field. Just trying to help you, not offend you.log72 said:
I shouldn't say it gripes me. More so makes me question my spot. Only fields I have access to are cotton. During the rut it never fails to see bucks in the open so I can understand hunting the open. But the cotton fields around me are travel areas, just as the bottom I hunt is a travel area. However in my case, the woods are also the feeding areas. Sorry bout the smarta** comment!
Bone Collector
Well-Known Member
yes.
Bone Collector
Well-Known Member
Super8 said:
i was doing that Sunday. my property is super thick and cedar doesn't die off :D that being said i found a couple of oak trees with acorns still on them and some on the ground and no they were not rotten. I think i will hunt near them next time out.
Check out my thread "I'm back..." I saw the most activity of bucks and chasing that I've ever seen in my life on Sat opening day, then two days later I saw not one single deer all day long.
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
No worries, I understand where your coming from. Best of luck to you, hope you kill a good un.log72 said:
