Hello all, I have a new patch of hunting land I am looking for some advice on. Its mostly ag fields with corn up (coming down mid sept). There is a hay field to the west of my land also. There is a creek that runs through the entire property and there are some very good acorn producing oak trees through out. The north and the east properties are pretty heavily hunted and zero QDM is being done in the area. Just want your thoughts on good stand set up and where you think most of the deer will be traveling.
Both properties get absolutely hammered in gun season (I give up on the season after opening day of gun). Driven out almost daily. Bowhunting there is light pressure to the north and relatively large pressure to the east.
Where that field drainage meets the creek looks like a good place to start. That whole creek should be a good rut cruising lane if theirs another big section of woods across the road. Might be worth watching the area with binoculars/spotting scope in the evenings.
It's a great rut area. Biggest issue is access to my stands. We get a big rain and the creek is not crossable by foot. I want to keep all my stands east of the creek. I agree with the drainage meeting the creek. Will be easy to access the stand there as well.
Depending on the direction they drive deer it may work to your advantage. The big bucks have the uncanny ability to avoid deer drives.
Place stands along natural travel routes like the creek, field edges, and near high acorn-producing oaks. Focus on funnel points where deer must pass, keep stands upwind, and maintain clear shooting lanes. Since neighboring properties are heavily hunted, deer may shift onto your land, so limit pressure early and observe travel patterns before finalizing stand locations.
In an area of high food and easy water access, wind and topography is key. Which is how currents will carry and settle scents mornings and evenings.. Then I'd consider how ANY human movement on surrounding properties will effect the deer movement. Should have pre season line walked perimiter and noted trails , which side of trees old rubs were on, another indication of routine travel history, foot print directions. Rut changes everything anyways so it's mainly a wind current situation IMO
