I know it has been asked a lot before, but....

[htnseymour]

How do you know where a funnel is located? I know it would be an easy travel route where deer trails come together, or so I am assuming, but how in the heck do you find one?

 

[BSK]

Funnels don't always have deer trails.

For habitat funnels, look at aerial photos. For terrain funnels, look at topo maps. Once you locate potential funnels, check them out on foot for any deer sign, and if you have one, set up a trail-camera and find out if deer are using the funnel and when (during daylight? only at night?).

 

[BigD_625]

Funnels don't always have deer trails.

For habitat funnels, look at aerial photos. For terrain funnels, look at topo maps. Once you locate potential funnels, check them out on foot for any deer sign, and if you have one, set up a trail-camera and find out if deer are using the funnel and when (during daylight? only at night?).

Well said.

 

[Coach]

Typically, in my opinion, deer will take the path of least resistance...just like humans. Finding those paths of least resistance requires scouting...finding multiple paths of least resistance coming into one is what you are looking for.

Funnels are sometimes man made like an old logging road splitting and going in two directions.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

What Coach said.

I typically hunt small farms (<100 acres) and I look for where they cross the fences. There will typically be a low spot or tree on the fence where they cross. During bow season if I am wanting a doe I will find out roughly where they are coming out into a field. I will then gather a bunch of brush and plug up all the holes on the edge of the field except for the one that is the most "worn down" by traffic. I have even done this as I am walking to my stand. The first time they come they stare at it for a minute, then take the gaping hole into the field!

 

[htnseymour]

Thanks all, this clears it up.

 

[TNGunhunter]

What Coach said.

I typically hunt small farms (<100 acres) and I look for where they cross the fences. There will typically be a low spot or tree on the fence where they cross. During bow season if I am wanting a doe I will find out roughly where they are coming out into a field. I will then gather a bunch of brush and plug up all the holes on the edge of the field except for the one that is the most "worn down" by traffic. I have even done this as I am walking to my stand. The first time they come they stare at it for a minute, then take the gaping hole into the field!

Not that I have any fields to hunt, but that's a good idea UH!

 

[Coach]

What Coach said.

I typically hunt small farms (<100 acres) and I look for where they cross the fences. There will typically be a low spot or tree on the fence where they cross. During bow season if I am wanting a doe I will find out roughly where they are coming out into a field. I will then gather a bunch of brush and plug up all the holes on the edge of the field except for the one that is the most "worn down" by traffic. I have even done this as I am walking to my stand. The first time they come they stare at it for a minute, then take the gaping hole into the field!

Not that I have any fields to hunt, but that's a good idea UH!

Man made funnels have worked for years...

 

[tasaman]

Some funnels are not obvious. Like was said earlier deer don't always use trails in funnels but the all kinda end up going though a certain area. Quite a few are found by setting up nearby and noticing activity somewhere and then relocating closer next time. Patterns will apparent.

Also good to note is areas change. I had hunted a great funnel in a big forest in KY for a few years. It was a small clear cut from maybe 4 years before. First year we saw some great deer. Second and third year we saw a few good deer. After that, the forest had grown up so much they changed pattern.

 

[yamaha200]

I hunt a funnel, that has produced over 30 Deer in 12 years or so. The funnel I hunt is a narrow strip of woods, probably 100 yards wide. One end leads to bedding are, the other to food. One end toward the food source widens out. Very rarely I don't see deer passing through it when I hunt it in the mornings. To the right of my stand, is a clear field, and to the left is a gravel road. Across the road is open, very steep bank that is extremely high. Just one of them perfect travel funnels. The funny thing is though, atleast 80 percent of the deer travel between me and the road. Good cover in there also. After 3 years of hunting it, I built a permanent stand there, so I could slip in, and out. There is a definate main trail that runs through it.