I've got a area on the farm I hunt that is pretty brushy but there's lots of heavily used trails and have been getting good pictures of couple decent deer in area. I've got two questions so the first is I've been thinking about going in and clearing some of the overgrown areas and the trails but I'm worried its to late in year to do much. The other thing is I've been looking for place to hang stand but many of the usable trees are pretty close or right on these trails. I'm guessing that's not the best strategy and from what I've looked at it wouldn't present very good shot opportunities being right on trail. I've considered a blind but there'd be a lot of stuff in the way to shoot through. A little about the area, its more of a draw then really big wooded area. It's got what was a wheat field, now clover, that runs along one side and on the other is a neighboring property, that I could probably hunt, that I'm pretty sure is bedding area. Who knows what the deer been getting pics of will do come this fall but all last year and this year I've seen deer move through this area a lot. I'd like to be set up off the field some because this is only one of few areas that are actually wooded on property but like said most good trees for stand are right on trails or the ones off don't provide much cover. There's also a good sized ditch that runs through some of it so that limits some spots too. If nothing else may jus throw a stand up and try to use this fall as a learning year and get it worked out for next season, season never ends right ha. Thanks in advance.
My only hesitation on clearing areas & paths, is to make sure they aren't bedding in there. If they aren't I say go for it.
Yea I'm still undecided, may jus leave it this year jus to be sure what's really goin on in the area. Pretty sure they're using different area to bed down. Mostly its jus a bunch of scrub brush and trash from wind storms and such knocking branches off, doesn't make it really easy to move through area without running everything off. Be a good project after season when I'm still laid off for winter from work. Thanks though Fitz.
I wouldn't touch it. Sounds like a spot they bed in or use for safety when pressured. I would hunt on the edge of it only. We have a couple of these spots and only walk in them in February.
I hunted Adams & Hancock county for several years and from what I've learned over there vs back here in OH is deer don't always look UP for danger! You can get away with a lot more there. Where am I going with this?.... DONT cut any paths, they're using it bc they feel safe there. The draw is a safe area prob more during the evenings bc the thermals are dropping into it. Quit looking for the perfect tree and find one with good cover, you may only be 10' off the ground but as long as your over top of the undergrowth then it doesn't matter. You don't always need to be sky high, just setup over top the undergrowth 20 or so yards off the beaten path and let them keep coming and going like they are.
I see no problem with creating trails this time of year, and would in fact encourage you to immediately seed those new trails in clover/chicory. However, I would try to make sure that you avoided putting the trails thru bedding areas. Also, do not make the trails long straight lines. Instead, I would recommend slight turns every 75 yards or so. The deer will feel more comfortable on trail that is not opened ended for hundreds of yards. Plus it will be easier for you to still hunt when you can sneak around each curve in the trail. Also, I do agree with what was posted earlier ... you don't need to be 20 feet up in a tree, just select a tree with good cover to break up your outline, and located in an area where the wind and sun is in your favor. Good luck
Well thanks guys for the advice, much appreciated. I think I'm jus gonna head in this weekend and scout around and find good spot to set up. As far as the trails go I'll probably jus let it be this year and see how it goes. Think something like that would be easier to go in and do while there's not so much foliage and be able to really determine where they're moving through. I wasn't goin to make new trails jus try to improve what was already established if that changes anyone's opinion ha. There a a lot that are already there there's jus a lot of downed trees and stuff like that. Bit you can still follow them pretty easily and see where they are and go. Either way my plans for this spot are to not get in to deep and not to over use it because I'm pretty sure its a travel corridor from bedding to food source and probably some what of a safe haven for the deer on property. At least that's what I witnessed last year and from the pics gathered so far this year. Anyway thanks again guys, been trying to take this deer hunting game more serious this year and its always good to be able to get some help.
