i have each year. I know that I should be hunting the food sources. The farm I primarily hunt is in SW Wisconsin and it consists of a large valley with a creek in the middle and many draws going out and into crop fields that are on the top. The crops are the usual for this area; corn, beans, alfalfa, hay and some CRP (and all have been harvested). Also this year there is some clover and sugar beats and turnips all in the bottom of the valley. I have never taken a deer there in Dec. and would love to. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
mad, this is a stretch, but around here, and i know this is a totally different scenario, I look for the tightest bedding areas i can find, cedar swamps, tag alder thickets, dogwoods, stuff like that. it's hard to find the food source in woodland areas. I do know the cedar boughs are one of the first things they hit on when winter rolls around here. I have always found good movement around those tight areas. if you don't have luck in the food sources, go to the hiding places. when it gets cold their metabolisms requirefood. they may be feeding after dark, but some of the critters will cheat daylight just enough for you to catch them coming out of the thick areas that they inhabit during the day, just before it turns dark. how about this, when what you are doing isn't working, do something else. a very good rule of thumb when it comes to white tails, and pretty much anything else in life for that matter. good luck!
Elder madhunter, i would say that if the crops have been harvested look to see "how well" is there anything left? check corners where machines need to turn and can miss patches of crops. but sounds like some sweet terrain! creek bed (does it freeze out) and valleys, luv hunting them! id look into the terrain and maybe not catch them "ON" the food source but travel corridoors. turkey's feet (three elevations coming to one) saddles (low point on a ridge, along one side two higher pts, on the other two lower pts). deer feel comfortable and will travel using everything to their advantage...like we know. best of luck!!!!!!!
