Hey guys, So I'm new here. I'm also new to hunting the midwest (Illinois) Im originally from south MS, and we didnt have much cropland where I grew up we tended to hunt big woods. Anyways fast forward to now and I'm getting a good lesson in the importance of crop fields. I'd like some advice on the best strategies to hunt standing corn. I have a lease that is about 500 acres 1/2 fields 1/2 woods. I was seeing good movement from the stand and trail cameras the first couple weeks of the season. Then the beans were taken out and everything seemed to shut down. There are about 55 acres of standing corn yet on the property and some of the neighboring properties as well. There are no acorns this year. My best guess is that with no beans or mast crop in the north end of the property everything has relocated to the south end around the corn. So I guess my question is two fold. 1. How do deer typically utilize standing corn? Time of day, etc.... 2. Does my hypothesis seem reasonable? 3. What are your current strategies for hunting standing corn?
I love hunting standing corn fields. My theory is that a deer will treat the edge of a standing cornfield, just like any other type of transition edge. I've seen many bucks cruisingb and checking scrapes along the edges of the field. There are a coupe keys to this strategy. 1) Entrance- A lot of times, the deer will be bedded in the field that you are going to have to walk through to get to your stand. I'll usually just hop in a few rows and walk slow to not make any noise. 2) Wind- I prefer almost a cross wind coming from the field. Bucks will cruise the edge, while scent checking what does may be in the field. 3) Location- Most of my success has come in the corner of fields, that also back up to thickets, or are close to known bedding areas. In '09 I rattled in 3 bucks one afternoon using this strategy, including the 155" I killed. 3 mornings later, I had 6 bucks move through within an hour of each other. If you time it right, and stay after it, the hunts can be action packed.
Good information by Scott. We have the same thing happening right now where I live. Until the corn is out they can bed in the cornfields. Once the corn is out all of them will have to go back to natural bedding areas. This doesn't mean they still don't use natural bedding areas, but IMO they like to stay in the corn b/c it provides shelter, safety, and food.
So my problem then is that unless I go through the corn there is no way to get in there to hunt in the morning. as its surrounded by open bean fields. I don't want to walk across 200+ acres of open bean fields and bump stuff out in the mornings. BUT I'm also afraid to approach from through the standing corn where they are bedding and push them out in the mornings? Should I just stay out of there in the mornings, and only hunt evenings? Come across the bean fields after first light? What do you think?
If you know they are bedded in corn then I wouldn't be too worried about traveling across open bean field if it is picked. Just get in really early for morning hunts. Area will settle down. My dad bumped a deer while getting to the stand this morning. It didn't move very far and bedded down 20 ft from me while I had just got into my stand.
Well I mean I "Think" that is where they are bedding but I'm not sure when they are moving into there.
Hey "SilentSling" So I'm new here. I'm also new to hunting the midwest (Illinois) Im originally from south MS, and we didnt have much cropland where I grew up we tended to hunt big woods. Anyways fast forward to now and I'm getting a good lesson in the importance of crop fields. I'd like some advice on the best strategies to hunt standing corn. I have a lease that is about 500 acres 1/2 fields 1/2 woods. I was seeing good movement from the stand and trail cameras the first couple weeks of the season. Then the beans were taken out and everything seemed to shut down. There are about 55 acres of standing corn yet on the property and some of the neighboring properties as well. There are no acorns this year. My best guess is that with no beans or mast crop in the north end of the property everything has relocated to the south end around the corn. So I guess my question is two fold. 1. How do deer typically utilize standing corn? Time of day, etc.... Answer: As Timber,Food,Bedding,Security! 2. Does my hypothesis seem reasonable? Answer: Beans are a Food also, the Beans are gone so are deer...Now in the Corn! 3. What are your current strategies for hunting standing corn? Answer: Approach down wind with a drag (before sunrise) get in stand quietly with the "SilentSling" of course! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230672767032 then strap in they will enter and exit till the corn is Gone.....Combines are rolling in East Central Illinois so my quess is that field has a very short life....Hunt like there is no tomarrow!!! "SilentSling"
