So I am hunting a property that has a good amount of deer on the property I have had several different bucks on camera over the past couple of years hunting it. This year there are two huge corn fields on the property and I am having almost 0 luck in the stand, I am getting a few trail camera pictures and videos but I think the deer are just staying in the standing corn all day, anyone else have this problem? Any ideas on how to draw them out or anything? its getting frustrating and I have a buddy who hunts with me and its his first year bowhunting he is frustrated as well.
we saw much less deer activity anytime there is standing corn you need to find where they are entering the corn field and set up along that path corn has been getting harvested earlier and earlier in my area, with much of it already harvested
Yup that is the problem with standing corn you'll have to find where they are entering/exiting or wait until it gets cut.
I personally seem to have better luck (sightings wise) with standing corn. They have to enter/exit somewhere so find that spot and you're good to go if you have a location for a stand or a blind there.
Same here. One of the places I hunt is always good but not until late season because their corn is feed corn. They won't cut it until mid November. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Same here. Once the corn comes down, GET READY TO ROCK! As others have mentioned. Find trails that come and go to the corn. Sometimes you can follow that trail into the woods 100 yards and find where it intersects with another trail. That is a good place for a stand to try. Atleast that's what I'm trying more of this year.
thanks for the input guys, ive been around the perimeter of both the fields but really cant find a place where they are going in and out of the corn, its tough this season!
Yep, I have corn on 3 sides of my property. I have only had one shooter on camera all summer. That's pretty typical for me over the last couple years. I just have to be patient and wait until the corn comes out. I'll check my cams a week or so after the corn is all out and we will see if there's any bucks moving onto the property. This is a pattern that I've been dealing with for the last 4 seasons for some reason. Absolutely no early season bucks, but good numbers and quality starting in mid-October. Hopefully that trend continues again this year.
I would say, you should then make that trail, deer are lazy and will take easiest path. after season get in there and make a trail from near bedding area to the field, cut some branches some trees some underbrush from a trail to the field, deer will find it and use it.
this advice is coming from someone who lives in Indiana. Believe me when I tell you, we have corn EVERYWHERE. There has to be a place they are coming in and out. Yes, they will stay in the standing corn a lot but not ALL the time. Find those entrances and exits and you will be golden. And even after it's picked, you will still need to know where they are entering and leaving. Blessings........Pastorjim
We have lots of corn fields surrounding all the hardwoods here where I am. Keep in mind, this time of year other food sources are preferred over corn so some of the corn fields might not be heavily used. I would try to hunt the corn that is also near other food sources as well such as beans, alfalfa, and or hopefully Acorns. Once those food sources become scarce and things change again later in the season that corn will get hit a little more as deer move around more.
Here in west MI, the mix of corn and woods is more balanced so we always have a plan of attack in their transition zones. Our little slice of heaven (25 acres) is much better when the corn is up, as it is the primary food source and promotes activity. Once it is cut, things come to a screaching halt. We have been talking to the farmer.....a relative of my hunting buddy....about possibly doing a bit of late season planting of rye or winter wheat to give the deer a reason to leave the surrounding thickets and woods. In big corn fields, deer use it as travel, food and cover so you have to figure out by scouting where and when they leave or enter.
Hunted standing corn in NJ this year, and yes they stayed in the corn. I located the nearest and closest water source and then found a deer trail coming out of the corn. they have to drink! Worked well.
