Mountain Deer Hunting

[shoningram]

I hunt 50 acres in remote Sevier County near English Mountain. I know for a fact there are deer in these woods but they are few and far between. Lower elevations don't show any sign. Plenty of bear and turkey down below. There is plenty of mast and streams around plus heavy cover on the sides. I am looking for advice on how to hunt these hills and valleys.

1. I have found one spot where a draw ends into oaks. I was going to set my climber at the head in the oaks and hunt the draw when the wind is right.

2. Also there is a flat at about 1800 feet that is hardwoods.

3. I want to put out corn and deer cane in the off season as well as cameras. Where in this type of terrain do you do that?

4. Food plots? No way to get equipment up there. Its all goat trails.

Advice Gentlemen?

 

[wayers]

Prepare for swarling winds. And corn is more likely to bring the bear in. Deer cane or salt on a good soft stump.

 

[jb3]

I grew up hunting in Grundy County, it's not the mountains, but the terrain is similar. We typically hunted areas along the edges of bluffs. Tried to hunt travel corridors, since in the some areas they are limited. Depended a lot on the weather as well to whether the deer were on top or on the sides (benches). Some good spots were near where the deer were able to get up and down along the side of the mountain. We'd spend a summer just cutting in a trail to get a 4 wheeler down and it was still dangerous in spots.

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

my self I would hunt the oak patches when you could and the hardwoods, but be close enough to the thicket to watch them walk back and forth. Hunt the food source, remember they might be there around mid day. good luck

 

[7mminatree]

Just from your discription of the area, I would try to hunt that hardwood flat. Providing you can access it discreetly. Or maybe just below or above it. The thing about mountain hunting is what's right one day can be dead wrong the next day. Just pick a spot thats got some sign and hunt it. It may take a few mistakes to get a handle on the area. Thermals are gonna change throughout the day. I always take a powder puffer with me and keep track of the thermals. Then try to piece a strategy from that. Good luck.

 

[shoningram]

That is great information. I agree with the corn. What about mini plots? The problem is Ive never see any sign All the food is there but i cant find trails,tracks,rubs or anything. I honestly dont know where to look in terrain like this.

 

[gatodoc]

That is great information. I agree with the corn. What about mini plots? The problem is Ive never see any sign All the food is there but i cant find trails,tracks,rubs or anything. I honestly dont know where to look in terrain like this.

I heard once "no deer poop=no deer" .....I like to find some fresh droppings to be confident they're in the area...

 

[Vermin93]

Go to YouTube. Search "micro food plot" and "poor man food plot". You will get lots of great information and ideas. Find a good spot, take a soil sample, add lime to get the ph right, and make your own honey hole. I would use Whitetail Institute Imperial Clover mixed with a little chicory.

 

[gator-n-buck]

I grew up hunting in Grundy County, it's not the mountains, but the terrain is similar. We typically hunted areas along the edges of bluffs. Tried to hunt travel corridors, since in the some areas they are limited. Depended a lot on the weather as well to whether the deer were on top or on the sides (benches). Some good spots were near where the deer were able to get up and down along the side of the mountain. We'd spend a summer just cutting in a trail to get a 4 wheeler down and it was still dangerous in spots.

This..... Travel corridors, saddles, benches, and creek bottoms are good areas to start.

 

[shoningram]

Those are great micro plot youtube videos! I should have started this summer. Guess its too late to plant this year. I will take a look at some saddles and creeks this weekend.

 

[shoningram]

I am going today and buy winter rye and clover with some oats thrown in. I have done some research and they all will germinate on up into end of October.

 

[Vermin93]

I believe that wheat should still work, and a bag of wheat seed is relatively inexpensive. I threw down some wheat a few weeks ago and it's doing fine.

If your soil pH is not good you may not get great results. If so, don't get discouraged. Spend the time and money to get the pH right early next year. When I started my small plots the soil test indicated a pH of about 4.3, which is very low. After spreading many $3 bags of pelletized line from Tractor Supply over the course of a year, I now have the pH close to the ideal range of 6.0 - 7.0. This makes the use of fertilizer much more effective. As a result, my clover plot is doing great and my turnips and radishes have done fantastic.

You can send a soil sample to Mossy Oak BioLogic Labs and get a detailed report for $7.50.

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

I believe that wheat should still work, and a bag of wheat seed is relatively inexpensive. I threw down some wheat a few weeks ago and it's doing fine.

If your soil pH is not good you may not get great results. If so, don't get discouraged. Spend the time and money to get the pH right early next year. When I started my small plots the soil test indicated a pH of about 4.3, which is very low. After spreading many $3 bags of pelletized line from Tractor Supply over the course of a year, I now have the pH close to the ideal range of 6.0 - 7.0. This makes the use of fertilizer much more effective. As a result, my clover plot is doing great and my turnips and radishes have done fantastic.

You can send a soil sample to Mossy Oak BioLogic Labs and get a detailed report for $7.50.

:super:

 

[shoningram]

Thanks! That is a beautiful plot. I will send a sample this weekend for next springs planting.

 

[shoningram]

I ended up getting some white clover and oats at the co-op. Also got winter wheat for good measure. Think it I get it on the ground this weekend I will be ok?

Are winter wheat and winter rye the same?

 

[Vermin93]

I'm not experienced enough to know if it's too late to plant this season, but I do know that winter wheat and winter rye are not the same thing.

 

[shoningram]

So which one is better?


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[swhackmaster]

That is great information. I agree with the corn. What about mini plots? The problem is Ive never see any sign All the food is there but i cant find trails,tracks,rubs or anything. I honestly dont know where to look in terrain like this.

English mt should have shelves on it. Hunt the shelves

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[shoningram]

Here is a snap of the topo of my property. Can you identify any shelves or likely spots? :pray:

 

[tsc]

That lowgap below the B at 1600 should be looked at. Both those gaps in the back of that hollow. That flat on the point that's almost in the center of the image,the one that looks like a horse hoof,just to the right,you've got 3 points coming to that flat then it goes on up from there. The gap at the bottom of the page above the 22. If I was given that map and had to go in without ever setting foot on the place,those three would be where I would go depending on wind.

 

[shoningram]

PM sent. Thanks TSC!

 

[Scioto]

I'm not experienced enough to know if it's too late to plant this season, but I do know that winter wheat and winter rye are not the same thing.

Vermin, I have contemplated broadcasting buckwheat seeds on some woodland spots that get (relatively speaking) more sun than most of the woods where I hunt. I've read that buckwheat doesn't need as much light, grows in inferior soil, and will improve the soil. Could that be something to plant as well?

 

[Vermin93]

My understanding is that buckwheat is good for the reasons you mentioned, but it can't handle the cold.