I have a small backyard property of about 10 acres that I can manage. It's at the end of a 20 acre total chunk of mature maples, cottonwoods, elms, basswoods and a few oaks. the surrounding area is 160 acres lots of corn and bean fields. there are a few bigger chunks of timber that are up to 40 acres. I am wondering how to hunt this. I have gotten a few nighttime picture of decent bucks but they are nocturnal. How do I create better habitat and get daylight deer activity while I'm hunting? Thanks for your help and advice!
I have a very similar situation at one of my properties. The best advise is to never go in it.... Hunt the edges
That’s going to be pretty tough. I doubt the deer are bedding there with the house. They definitely won’t mind walking near the house but I doubt they’re bedding there. You’ll probably want to get permission in that field and let it be clear you’re hunting that house and you just want to hunt from there. Because, and obviously this is a guess, the deer will be in the field feeding 90% of the time. They’ll walk the woods to feed the field. You’re probably not going to create anything with that being a home property. The best I would suggest is that in the northwest corner you could take some of the smaller trees, cut them halfway through and lay them over (they stay alive but sprout limbs like crazy and makes a big mess for bedding). Or you could plant some really thick bushes or shrubs (cedars or a briar type bush). You’re very limited so I wouldn’t be picky if you do hunt it. Shoot what you can and try not to mess with them too much.
Focus on the oak trees, if there are not many in your area then the ones you do have will see major activity in years with a good acorn crop. Good bucks that are feeding in those fields will stage in the acorns until last light or later when they feel it is safe to enter the field.
To me it looks like those hardwoods have a park effect and you can see a long distance which will make the deer feel uncomfortable during the day. I would hinge cut around the whole house making it more difficult for the deer to see what's going on up at the house. I would also hinge small sections like islands so you cannot see straight across in any direction at shoulder height. After you hinge cut you will start getting thick undergrowth that will allow deer to bed in that area possibly.
I have to same situation on the morning I hunt the edges. I only hunt the woods when it's windy. That way you can sneak past the bedding area without spooking them. It took me a few years to figure this out but it works.
I would have a logger come in and cut every tree but the oak tree,s this will create a jungle in a short time, this is where the deer will wish to be in your neighborhood, after it is cut, create trails to the place you wish to put up stands, don't go to far into land, stealth will be your friend down the road, I would more than likely wait until the seekin phase begins before I hunt it !
I'd also add I'm not hunting this place till Halloween time frame if gun seasons are around mid-November like around me...let the deer think it is a sanctuary...and only hunt edges.
Nice house! I'd say most deer bed in the cornfield unless it has been harvested. I wouldn't expect to see a lot of deer during daylight hours on that property. As others have said. I wouldn't put a lot of pressure on that place. I'd speculate most the deer bed in the block of timber across the road to the northeast.
One of the best stands I have is 60 yds from my house I have a small food plot more like a honey hole and I have done some hinge cutting as well. I have deer trails and stand trails to help me get in and out. Find the daytime doe movement and the boys will be moving thru
