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Need help with 2013 strategy

Discussion in 'Whitetail Deer Hunting' started by Chago, Jun 30, 2013.

  1. Chago

    Chago Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Hello all. New to the site, first post.

    I have posted this on a few sites but not getting everything I want really answered. So hoping with all the members here I may get a volume of opinions.

    I live north of the border in southern Ontario. I live on 4 acres but back onto a never ending forest that connects and is interwoven between more woods, bodies of water and agricultural all mixed. I moved into this property last spring and immediately began getting it ready for hunting. The 65 acre behind me is my neighbours property which I have permission to hunt. But it's proven a very difficult area to hunt. Directly behind me is about 100 or so acres on a couple properties that were man planted. They planted all evergreens like pines, spruce, cedars etc. and it's so thick I'm surprised any deer can even move through there. Well I cut one trail straight from backyard last summer out straight north east for good 300 yards. And in my backyard planted a 3/4 acre plot about 70 yards from my deck. Well it was proven I have a lot of monsters here are some pics.


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    Ok so here's my problems. The bush right behind me is that super thick stuff. Impossible to hunt. This year I made two more trails to my plot from other directions on plot. My plot literally attracts deer daily. Mostly does all year. Hunting season brings bucks in I guess they got girls on their mind. Now I see them in day time hours too but mostly big bucks only at last light. I harvested one young buck at end of season last year right on the plot. Didn't want tag soup.

    So here's my dilemma, I don't have many good trees on the plot. Now I do have one on the correct side of the wind which a tree stand is hanging now. Question number one, since I need to hunt this spot s lot as I don't have a ton of options (yet we will discuss this next) I was thinking of building a high box blind on the plot. It would allow me in and out super easily without spooking my deer. I would potentially sleep in it over night and wake to the deer in the morning. As I do many times from my bedroom. Do you guys think a box blind may spook deer away? I would build it now so lots of time for it to cool down. Plus I would hide it well.

    Second problem we have had so much rain and my plot had a perennial mix from last yesr and this year I added peas. So now it's so overgrown its like 3' tall of weeds and clovers and peas. I wanted to mow it down now so I still have time to regrow new crop. My plan was making something really tall to block my house from plot so deer are more comfortable. I was thinking sorghum or sunflowers???? Any suggestions??? Then I would plant brassicas for the season. What do you guys suggest for my mess???? Can I just till it all and seed? And spray next yesr for sake of time??? Or will weeds over rule again??? Mow it first then spray then seed? What's the process here, this is my first plot.

    Third problem. I would love to take advantage of the woods. But I'm afraid I may need to just out all my eggs in one basket and focus on pulling them to the plot. It's so thick it's impossible to set up a stand anywhere. And everytime entering is loud, leaving scent, spooking deer. Should I just stay out? There is some nice hardwoods way at the back with tons of ponds. But there are tons of horse trails back there and land owner asked me not to interfere with them. Should I set up a spot in the centre of the hardwoods??? I want to solely for the rut and just see if I get lucky.

    Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks
     
  2. Chago

    Chago Die Hard Bowhunter

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    I should mention the deer used my trail last year like a highway. And the two new ones I've made are already covered in tracks. Again you can't really hunt it, there just a walking path totally covered in every direction, including up.
     
  3. PSEREVENGEMAN

    PSEREVENGEMAN Die Hard Bowhunter

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    1) You should have planted an EW strip last month for a screen from the house.
    2) Why can't you hunt the trail You cut?
    3) Not sure what that 400lb. pile is in the plot?
    4) Mow the plot now, spray it, disc and plant a mix seed batch of Winter rye/Rape/PTT(60/5/2 lbs/acre) about 7/20. Disc again next June and repeat.
    5) Buy a couple of tents for different wind direction and only hunt the blind that works for that wind or don't hunt.
     
  4. tynimiller

    tynimiller Legendary Woodsman

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    1)sorghum is a great and fast growing screen as is EW mentioned.
    2)the thicker the woods the better and will elbow grease anything is huntable just not easily.
    3)That's not a plot that looks like a corn bait pile.
    4)Mow plot, spray, disc/till and replant with late season brassica blends.
    5)Don't hunt the wide open hardwoods unless you (if you even can permission wise) thicken them up...deer are jumpy in open park style woods.
    6)Do work each year making arteries with hinging and cutting trails through the thick stuff...creating somewhat "predictable" travel habits depending on the prevailing winds, thermals and pre-dawn wind movements (track activity with trail cameras or actual sightings.
    7)Consider over the coming years to push plot one way or the other behind the house as to allow you to access the woods without walking right plum through the plot. This can be done each year with EW or Sorghum but plant long term plans as well like pines or willows (not sure if willows grow up your way though).
     
  5. Chago

    Chago Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Thanks guys. Yes it's a plot but I had a guy over me pick up truck full of carrots for $20. How do you say no. So I added it. Really deer hardly touched it but after winter was over it was gone as I had about 15-20 rabbits every night just killing it.

    Ty I'm gonna read that site small acre hunting.

    I think your right though. My neighbour is to the south east of me. I can walk across no where near the plot and enter on his property and literally make my way behind being on the right side of the wind. Problem again is the lack of tree stand spots because trees are mostly evergreens that are not thick enough. And if I set up on one only place I am going to be able to see or shoot is literally right underneath me. And maybe 20 yards left or right. It's more like a narrow corridor then a trail. You've given me an idea. Ill update with a google earth pic.

    Are you ruling out the box blind? Might just spook deer? Leave the tree stand that's already there?
     
  6. Meat Hunter

    Meat Hunter Weekend Warrior

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    You have a pretty long trail leading in already, id start cutting pockets out next to the trail, lot of work, but I did it at my uncles, made a nice small clearing and they kept coming right on through. I'm setting my wife's blind in a jungle this year next to swampy land, we use pop ups a lot. Don't disregard them, or the permanent one you talked about. You need more than one hunting spot, simple answer is create them. Good luck
     
  7. tynimiller

    tynimiller Legendary Woodsman

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    I personally don't like blind hunting of any kind in a blind as they almost always make mature bucks a little leery at the close ranges I want them to be...lot of guys have success with them though.
     
  8. alittlelow

    alittlelow Newb

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    I wouldn't hunt the field. Id make it a safe area.And id move around on the ground
    in homemade ground blinds. Try cutting small entrance and exits trails to keep from entering exiting the main plot. plan for the action in the thick stuff and roadways you've cut. Won't take them long to figure out if an when your hunting the plot and simply show up after dark..
     

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