So this is my first year hunting big farmland, I'm used to hunting small acre woods. I've hunted this farm once or twice in previous years but never really paid attention to it or tried to focus on it. Last year, I hunted it mid/late November and the buck sign was unbelievable so I decided to spend a lot of time/energy on this farm for this year. Anyway, so far this year has been a lot slower than I hoped/expected. when the buck transitioned from the summertime pattern, I wasn't seeing any buck on the property for a while. Now within the last couple week or so, some smaller bucks are starting to filter back onto the area I'm hunting. My stand is on the inside wood edge connecting to a soybean field. My theory/what I'm hoping to be true is that now since the smaller buck are popping up, the bigger ones should be coming back soon? Maybe I'm off but I just was looking for any experiences or info if people hunt big farmland, I'm trying to learn put the pieces together here
It will take a while for you to learn it. I would just go with your gut and hunt, me personally, I have basically written this season off. it's been awful. I will hunt until the last day of bow season which is Nov 13th. but at this point it will be on the fly and off the hip.
Yeah part of me wants to focus on my other property and forget the farm, but I know there’s some HUGE buck around so it’s a dilemma.. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I think you are right about the bigger bucks showing up after the smaller ones. If you leave the farm for more familiar spots to hunt you should try to put out cameras to confirm one way or another. Are there any does bedding on the farm?
Yeah, one of my stands is in a ridge that has doe bedding on my left. Another stand on the property is set up on a trail that connects bedding to the soybean field (not my stand but I think that's how its set up)
I have a field edge stand and a lot of doe filter into the field in the PM, but no buck early season. Now that its getting towards the rut and bucks are chasing, I'm thinking the buck will come out to the fields as well?
Yes they will. I had 3 in the field last night with 11 does. They came out from 3 different locations and started checking the ladies. These deer were scattered over a 100 acre corn field.
Ditto! Still! Primary or secondary scrapes by doe beds! Pick a spot, don’t look at his head gear and let it fly! Good luck! Getting in now Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
