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Post by span870 on Oct 4, 2011 5:10:53 GMT -5
Need a little help here. Im new to hunting small properties. Always have hunted bigger woods. I have two properties that I got to hunt this year.
The first one is obviouslly a bedding area. Thick high grass with alot of new growth trees in it. Saplings really but about 20 feet high. I have trail cam pics of several deer from this spot. I hunt the tree line that each direction goes to a bigger wood lot. It backs up to a housing developement. The other one is a tree line surrounded by a huge corn and bean field. The deer come to the property off a housing developement also.
My question on the first is on any given day I have no clue on what direction the deer are coming from. How do you hunt the wind when the deer likely on any given day can come from north, south, east, or west. I am literally right behind the houses so much that I can look down upon the roofs from my stand. Do the deer get used to human scent that it wont bother them?
Second property all I am seing are doe on my camera. On small properties are the bucks more apt to be nocturnal that large woods deer? If the deer are used to people will they move early and not be bothered by the people.
Last. How much do you guys think standing corn holds deer? Ive always heard that deer will go in the corn fields and hang out in them and pretty much live there until they are cut. In your experience you think that is true?
This is all a learning experience for me. Just getting frustrated not seeing anything. One seven pointer saturday night. Sorry so long. Just wanted insight from so guys that have hunted these pieces.
Thanks
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Post by drs on Oct 4, 2011 5:44:31 GMT -5
Your small hunting lots sounds alot like where I hunted Deer, when I lived North of Evansville. There were a few developments (Housing) and a few grain fields with a thick area of assorted trees, high weeds, and such where the Deer bedded. How I hunted my area was get up in a tree stand around 12', making sure your shots will be no problem for neighbors if you are planning to gun hunt, but I assuming you're bow hunting. Since there is a housing development near your hunting spot, I am certain the Deer won't pay attention to "Human Scent" or movement as they are use to it. Deer will use the Corn Field to hide in & feed, but when it's harvested this will cause them to move more and you'll likely see more traveling through your hunting spot. The only issue I see, that may affect your Deer hunting, is free roaming Dogs. When I hunted in my small hunting spot I managed to harvest a Buck or Doe each year I hunted that spot from a ladder stand, located in the same place, for 10 years. <Good Luck>
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Post by span870 on Oct 4, 2011 8:15:58 GMT -5
There is also a small pond on the property. With the weather turning warmer this week do you think they will hit it before dark. I guess what im asking am I making to much of it. Are they really a different breed so to speak or they act like the deer im used to hunting.
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Post by duff on Oct 4, 2011 8:25:45 GMT -5
They will be in the corn. It it were beans they would be hanging in the woods. That's been my experience in small woods. As for the wind and where the deer come from...I grew up hunting a spot just like that and never didn't hunt the spot due to wind direction as they came from all directions any given day.
It's only the 4th of October...give it some time! My uncle's woods used to be good for a day a week. If I went back the next day it never did pan out. Also it was 100% a morning spot. It's all the same really just the view has changed get the pattern of the deer in the area and you will be in buisness. Probably not as many deer though.
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Post by countrystyle56 on Oct 4, 2011 8:55:32 GMT -5
Second property all I am seing are doe on my camera. On small properties are the bucks more apt to be nocturnal that large woods deer? If the small property is holding does, the bucks will be cruising through in about a month. Be patient. |
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Post by joeyb on Oct 4, 2011 9:15:11 GMT -5
I hunt these type of places a lot. I also harvest a lot of deer from these type of areas. They can be really awesome once you figure it out.
"The first one is obviouslly a bedding area. Thick high grass with alot of new growth trees in it. "
-What type of trees? If they're oak, then you've got a real good thing.
"My question on the first is on any given day I have no clue on what direction the deer are coming from. How do you hunt the wind when the deer likely on any given day can come from north, south, east, or west."
-This is deer hunting. You don't know which way, but the more you hunt the more you'll learn their patterns. However they may not do the same thing every time. Conceal your scent with sprays, and make sure to get high and hidden in the tree stand. Once you have a general idea of what they're doing you'll be more able to pick where to hunt by the way the wind is blowing.
"Do the deer get used to human scent that it wont bother them?"
-Yes somewhat they do. They're still weary creatures by nature. The smell from your home will however somewhat help your case. The more times they smell the humans and don't get shot at, will help them relax a little. Sometimes (especially chasing a buck) it doesn't matter. He's going to be weary. These also may not be the same deer every time. I would pretend your house isn't there, and act as though you're hunting somewhere that there has never been human contact.
"Second property all I am seing are doe on my camera. On small properties are the bucks more apt to be nocturnal that large woods deer? If the deer are used to people will they move early and not be bothered by the people."
-A lot of big smart bucks will be mostly nocturnal. However bucks make mistakes. Especially in rut. If you're seeing doe then there is a buck that wants to breed them nearby. Your best chance will be rut (which is not too far from coming in.) Bucks right now are either A. On their nocturnal feeding patterns or B. In Pre-Rut. They're moving marking territory and getting other bucks out of their properties. Simulating a buck with scents, grunt calls, and rattling will sometimes get other bucks out of hiding, and in front of your stands. You'll notice when they're in pre-rut because you'll find tree rubs, scrapes, and even hearing fights. If you're not finding that stuff, then they're still on their feeding patterns... most likely. Best thing to do if they're still on feeding patterns is hunt near the food.
"Last. How much do you guys think standing corn holds deer? In your experience you think that is true?"
-This is absolutely true. When the corn comes out you'll see more deer in my experience. Also when it's raining or real windy they'll come out of the corn. The wind and rain will make the corn very load. When it's load the deer will move out of the corn and into the woods or bedding areas to hear better. Look for knocked over corn and tracks for where they're coming in and out. Hunt these areas also. Plus at some point even on a calm day they'll have to leave to drink water. This could be your time to shine on a calm day.
Most importantly is to stay patient. Everyone on this site will have advice for you, and it'll all be worth reading. If you're seeing signs of deer, then there are deer around. It's a waiting game, and the ones who wait patiently will be rewarded. The other thing is to keep your scent in check. I know it has helped me to try and be scent free. You'll figure these places out the more you hunt them. All of us have spent many days in trees not seeing a darn thing. It's part of it. Just enjoy the time within nature. Good luck!!
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Post by drs on Oct 4, 2011 10:16:46 GMT -5
There is also a small pond on the property. With the weather turning warmer this week do you think they will hit it before dark. I guess what im asking am I making to much of it. Are they really a different breed so to speak or they act like the deer im used to hunting. Down here in Ky on my property, I've noticed the Deer moving more in the evening. By not living up in your area, I couldn't say what their pattern of movement is. It could change over night though. The Deer you describe in your hunting spot sound more like "Urban" Deer and they should be use to people & noises about the area. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2011 11:53:04 GMT -5
On small woodlots the best way to hunt them is to stay out of them. Hunt the edge, downwind. Don't even go in to look around. As for the corn, it'll be gone soon, so your back to the edges anyway.
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Post by windingwinds on Oct 4, 2011 14:51:39 GMT -5
You are not alone, have not seen one deer while I bowhunt, day #3 today. But I am seeing plenty of rubs, scrapes and nice tracks. Only animals that are coming up to my grunt call is the neighbor's Angus lol. And I get in the car to go to town, boom there they are in the fields lol. I stayed out much longer this afternoon in a attempt to catch them waiting for me to leave. I broke down and used the scent spray my sister gave us. It's early yet and all my local fields are standing. They'll stop hiding out eventually, hormones. And last year during the full moon phase we saw alot of deer moving around noon-2p.m.......I will be interested to see if that happens in a week or so when that moon gets full again.
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Post by duff on Oct 4, 2011 16:11:39 GMT -5
If your woods is really an isolated pocket woods remember once they cut the corn the deer will sit on the down wind side of the woods to watch the fields and smell the woods. It might not be easy to or feasible to accomodate but worth taking into consideration. Really pays off when you have a rifle in your hand and can reach out and touch the one coming out of the woods edge.
Good luck
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Post by vortex100 on Oct 4, 2011 21:07:24 GMT -5
Portable ground blind might help, but just keep at it. I've been in the same situation on a property I used to hunt. One day I would see 10 deer and the next couple days nothing. It's almost like the deer are nomadic moving from area to area. With the deer feeding on corn the pond could be a smart move if it is the only water source in the area.
Keep at it - it will happen just be ready.
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Post by Indyhunter on Oct 4, 2011 21:20:26 GMT -5
Span, if you want some first hand help then hit me up! All i've had for the last years is small lots and now I am down to one that is 2 hours away. I'll gladly give you all the info on how to hunt these small plots (based upon luck and very little knowledge!) if you want to let my boy come shoot a doe sometime during gun/muzzleloader! Just giving you crap. I do have a bit of experience hunting these small lots though. Doesn't mean much as every single one is different.
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Post by mordus67 on Oct 5, 2011 11:28:33 GMT -5
My property is like the 1st you talked about not as many house's, there's a dairy farm next door.Soy bean on one side and hay field on the other. I have to time my deer movement for every other day.[say: sat. they come through that morning, sun. you will not see them till that afternoon ]. They come from different directions too and the wind does not play much of a factor either.
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Post by daworz on Oct 5, 2011 14:02:20 GMT -5
Depending on what you mean Small, I guess. I hunt on a small Lot of woods Iam guessing its 45 acers, and I think Deer are there year round, and I think that some Deer just Pass threw, I have yet to make it out to Bow Hunt yet, due to the weather, and Corn, you see the woods I hunt has corn on all three sides, and Also in the entire area all the corn is still up, They must be working there Beans. I really dont hunt that woods till the end of the month, Iam heading to Ky and hunt my land down there I have about 600 acers I can Hunt, and 80 acers Is mine. But be patient with that woods, because they will come, Learn how they use the Woods, is it a place where they just bed, feed or what ever, learn the lay of the Land and How the Deeruse it. It took me one whole season to learn how to hunt the Woods I hunt here in Indiana. Just because its there they may not at certain times of the Day and Night...everybody gave you alot of Options....Hang in There.
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