Field edges - morning vs. evening

[dburt]

On the section of private land I hunt which is largely pasture with a couple corn patches, a pond, and woods on almost all sides, I generally hunt the edges of the woods or a nice inside corner back in the woods. Planning to hunt out there in the morning before the rain comes, and the forecast SW wind makes me want to climb a tree that I killed a doe out of earlier in the season. But that was in the evening, 45 minutes before dark a few deer walked by less than 10 yards out in the field. With a SW wind I'd mostly be hunting the field. This back field is very much hidden from any houses and roads, and the standing corn is about 60 yards from the woods. I haven't been out there much lately so I don't know how much they're using the corn vs. acorns. But my question is: this time of year before the rut fully kicks in, do you guys notice any general difference between morning and evening as far as hunting fields?

 

[TNReb]

I've simply never had much luck seeing bucks in fields. I tend to see more does in the fields in the evenings.

 

[ImThere]

Bucks go where the girls are and if the number one food source is in a field the bucks will tag along


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[catman529]

Depends on what the deer are doing on that property. I would think evening is more consistent, but depending on their feeding pattern or even a given day, they will use it in the mornings too. But I really can't say without knowing the place. Trail cameras or being there in mornings and evenings would be the best way to tell


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[Pic IN the Casa]

I always see more does in fields. Easier said than done but scouting and trail cams will answer some questions.

 

[huntncoach]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I was going to ask a similar question. On our lease, there are some hardwoods and some pine thickets and some hardwood areas have acorns and some don't. I have seen about an equal amount of deer in each so far this season. We have tried to put small food plots in the thickets, but they are all but dried up now. My question is, which is most likely the best place to see deer? I have several locations from which to choose and typically plan my locations based on previous experiences. However, that has not bee extremely productive in the past 1-1/2 years. Also, with some changes to restrictions on our lease, I imagine I am really thinking about bucks since I already have a doe in the freezer. Don't get me wrong, given the opportunity, I would take another one IF I didn't feel that I had a decent chance at a shooter buck because of rut activity. Thanks in advance!

 

[MXB 400]

Personally I dont hunt fields I try and concentrate on travel corridors between feeding and bedding areas and so far this season it's paid off as I've killed 4 does. I dont see deer every time I go but when I do my chances of getting one are very good

 

[AT Hiker]

Secluded, out of the way, un pressured fields (assuming feed is available) is a dynamite place to hunt when everything is right.
In most instances those "ideal" fields are heavily pressured so deer tend to hang back or avoid.
Evenings seem to be better for fields, usually the last 30mins of light. Cool weather helps along with other weather factors like moon and barometer.

The above is my experience in areas that have a nice balance of cover and ag fields. Heavy timber is a different game.


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[Riverday]

My grandson killed a buck Sat. morning hunting cut corn field, they saw several deer.. Deer are going to feed were it easy picking.... corn or acorns ...

 

[MXB 400]

On the section of private land I hunt which is largely pasture with a couple corn patches, a pond, and woods on almost all sides, I generally hunt the edges of the woods or a nice inside corner back in the woods. Planning to hunt out there in the morning before the rain comes, and the forecast SW wind makes me want to climb a tree that I killed a doe out of earlier in the season. But that was in the evening, 45 minutes before dark a few deer walked by less than 10 yards out in the field. With a SW wind I'd mostly be hunting the field. This back field is very much hidden from any houses and roads, and the standing corn is about 60 yards from the woods. I haven't been out there much lately so I don't know how much they're using the corn vs. acorns. But my question is: this time of year before the rut fully kicks in, do you guys notice any general difference between morning and evening as far as hunting fields?

Here's a good read http://waterandwoods.net/2008/10/unders ... -movement/

 

[dburt]

Thanks for the article. Hate picking a tree in the dark but I know right where I wanna be tomorrow and think I can give myself plenty of time to pick one out and get set for an all morning scout hunt. It's close enough to the fields that I'll be able to see any deer there but not close enough for a good shot. But it's a narrow patch of woods that acts as a funnel between a thicker bedding area and the more open woods and lower field. Have captured the 8 pointer I'm after close by...will retrieve new pics after hunt. It's on a slight hill, I'll be looking down toward a small creek and wind should be perfect. Thanks for everyone's tips, will update if I see anything.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Know this...old deer will walk a field perimeter with the wind in their favor checking for both girls and your stink. If anything is amiss they won't show in the open. Set your stand right and they'll walk right into you, head up, looking toward the field for goodies. Set it wrong with a marginal wind and you'll never know they were anywhere in the county.

My opinion on AARP bucks is wait until they drop their guard in your area to actually hunt a stand. They'll definitely walk out into a bald open field cold trailing or following a doe if they feel the coast is clear, but if they get a whiff of foolishness they're gone.

 

[MXB 400]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I was going to ask a similar question. On our lease, there are some hardwoods and some pine thickets and some hardwood areas have acorns and some don't. I have seen about an equal amount of deer in each so far this season. We have tried to put small food plots in the thickets, but they are all but dried up now. My question is, which is most likely the best place to see deer? I have several locations from which to choose and typically plan my locations based on previous experiences. However, that has not bee extremely productive in the past 1-1/2 years. Also, with some changes to restrictions on our lease, I imagine I am really thinking about bucks since I already have a doe in the freezer. Don't get me wrong, given the opportunity, I would take another one IF I didn't feel that I had a decent chance at a shooter buck because of rut activity. Thanks in advance!

http://waterandwoods.net/2008/10/unders ... -movement/ heres a good read

 

[Mike Belt]

I used to never hunt open fields. A club I was in had several tower stands on fields and the guys were always killing deer out of them and some good bucks. I gave it a try and killed a few myself. Now it's a part of my hunting strategy. That being said, much depends on how often those fields are hunted and what kind of terrain surrounds them. In my former club we didn't have a lot of big timber or cover surrounding many of our fields. That semi "forced" the deer (and bucks) to step into them or cross them. They were much more "killable" than where I hunt now. Now we have lots of big timber and cover surrounding our fields and many of those fields get heavy hunting pressure. They aren't as apt to step into them or cross them. Still there have been some dandies killed crossing them but almost all them were killed when the rut influenced them to give chase. Aside from then I've seen deer using fields in the morning but not many of the big boys prior to the rut. A few but not many. The bigger bucks I've seen have been at first light and they don't linger long. I've seen more outside the rut on evening hunts within minutes of dark.

 

[hitek7]

Going to depend on hunting pressure. We tend to have a good bit of luck hunting fields on our property (buck sightings) morning and afternoon, especially when bucks are cruising. This is partly due to the fact that we do not step foot in a good portion of our woods, keeping pressure to a minimum. Hunting these fields with a bow this time of year is my favorite time for calling.

 

[Winchester]

I'm not much of an open field hunter myself but if I had to hunt them it would likely be in the afternoons, unless I had a way to approach them before daylight without spooking the deer already in them. I prefer much thicker areas on average.

 

[Pinwheeled]

I hate hunting fields but at certain times of the year it's the best option on our place. Our only field is simply a grass field that they cut hay off of, very little alfalfa in it. We see bucks cruising through it at all times of day. On my biggest TN buck, I saw him in the field at 11am or so in pouring rain but couldn't get a shot. He came back out at last light and I killed him right out in the middle of it. You never know


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[Greentimber]

I've been very successful hunting fields on our place. I only started hunting them begrudgingly and immediately saw my success skyrocket. I am extremely strict on when and where I hunt based on wind direction. The deer never know I'm there until I pull the trigger. Really helps reduce their perception of hunting pressure. Mornings have probably been 65-70% of my success with bucks, but I've taken several good ones in the evening, too.