I am hunting with a buddy that has about 300 ac of good hunting land around here that I’m gonna say is hard for me to pick the right stand. We planted a small plot this year 1/2 ac. It is planted in Whitetail institute beets and greens. We have ran trail cameras since July and had several decent bucks on cameras using the areas. October hit and they are gone. So let me lay this out. The property beside him is about 150 ac of clear cut (10-15 years old) then it’s his land never been logged, then it’s the property beside of him we can hunt select cut 15-20 years ago. There are white oaks and red oaks everywhere. They seem to all have acorns this year. The food plot as you can see has did really well for the first plot ever to be planted in this field. I want to hunt the plot so bad but something still tells me to be in the oaks. So here’s my questions.Where is everyone seeing he most movement? Near thick bedding areas? Oak flats in hardwoods? Food plots yet? High on ridges, lower on ridges near fields? This kinda sums it up for what our stand placements are right now. Two weeks ago they were moving right before dark. Had very little daytime photos but they were killing the plot right after dark. I can never make my mind up because my mind wants me to be everywhere. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Very valid question! Planting a Brassica mix is a good choice for this year, since the mast is all over. We have seen some does and bucks hitting the food plots this year, but because there's so much beech nut, acorns and walnuts around, its minimal. I would keep this as an option, especially for late season. But if you don't see sign and you don't have cameras up which indicates you need to be on this plot, I would get into the timber. How deep and where depends on bedding, surrounding agriculture, etc. But with 300 acres, my guess is you have some resident bucks in the area. This time of year (coming up), its all about being where the does are. And the does don't like exposing themselves in the wide open of a plot during the rut. Pre-and-post rut yes. But they will be heading for cover to escape the constant harassment of the bucks that are after them. My advice would be to find some thicker cover for hunting Nov 10-after thanksgiving weekend. Monitor that plot with cameras and you'll have a much easier time making this decision. Best of Luck!
ha I used to have the same problem picking a stand and finally just decided to go with my initial gut feeling as long as the wind was right. Our deer are using the plots and oak flats right now with relatively little pattern. So I have been primarily focusing on travel routes from bedding areas to those food sources. If wind is right and I can get in tight to the bedding area that is usually what I try and do.
We have a couple sets on travel corridors but I think we are gonna have get closer to where we think they are bedding. The land is so vast and tons of timber the closest ag is about a mile or more the way the crow flies. Got temps in the 70s past few days but suppose to drop into the 50s the rest of the week after tomorrow. Start hunting Thursday through Sunday. We got cameras all over but as always could use more. The most action is on the edge of clear cut but same deer showing up in the plot right at or just after dark. The travel path is guessed but not forsure. Finally had one nice deer show up two weeks ago on the clear cut edge then in the plot sparring with smaller bucks about an hour after dark.
About 3 years ago, I just started letting the wind tell me where to go. I feel like it saves my property for the long season. Even if I do not see much, I do not spook any on scent, travel in or exit when I have the wind in my favor.
I shake my magic 8 ball the night before. haven't kill a good buck in 4 years.. I need to rethink my process
