I was able to obtain permission to hunt a piece of ground late last season. I set a few stands, however, I was not able to sit any of them last Dec.
I was out of this week to do some scouting for this upcoming season. I could not believe the amount of deer sign!! The grower told me that he routinely sees 40 plus deer everynight in the picked corn field. ( he was seeing this even last fall before the deer herded up for the winter).
The main food source is a corn field, (which half will be corn for next year, the other half carrots. Both deer magnets!)this field is located on the east side of the 90plus acres of woods.
The woods contains a few oaks, but mostly maples, poplars, and birch trees, with a swail in the middle.
The deer trails are highway's!! Almost 2' wide through the snow (wish I would have had my camera) Trails run both north/south and east/west. Looks like a chess board with n/s trails crossing the e/w trails, every 30-40 yards.
Because the only access is from the field side, it's basically going to be a evening stand location.
I have other hunting locales with good numbers of deer, but nothing like this.
Any advice on how to hunt a area with too many deer?
chris <><
ENJOY ENJOY :bigsmyl:
Take lots of arrows?
Ask a buddy to help? :goldtooth:
Because the only access is from the field side, it's basically going to be a evening stand location (please explain)
My advice is to shoot some, so there won't be so many ;)
I would be more than happy to help you trim them down to a manageable level :D
Sounds like when the corn is cut you are going to be in great shape with a west wind for the evenings. I imagine they will be spending a lot of time in the corn when it is up and that may make the early season tough.
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
Ask a buddy to help? :goldtooth:
Took the word's right out of my mouth!! Jason
I would be reluctant to give up some of my 30 years of experience to assist you in hunting the property. Do to your problem I would be willing to come up and hunt for a week and let you gain some well earned knowledge.
Al
I cant picture the lay of the land from the description. Sitting actually in the corn rows near low spots (short corn) has been productive early season if the wind is right. Also being from MI I would be happy to help if you get tired and full after shooting through your tags! :goldtooth:
Treetop level carpet bombing.
That'll fix it.
QuoteOriginally posted by 30coupe:
My advice is to shoot some, so there won't be so many ;)
Me :campfire: too!
Have a Tradgang rendevous :D
Just wish I had your problem :confused: :jumper:
Early season, pick the right wind and hunt right in the corn. Windy days are particularly good for this. You can stalk right up on em.
Get set up on one of those main trails you have found with wind in your favour. Other option would be to hunt field edge and use a deer decoy to bring them to where you want them.
I'll help ;)
No such thing as too many Deer.
Terry
Try to find a couple places to set stands to favor different wind directions between their bedding areas. This is the exact situation I hunt in central ohio cropland. Getting into the stand mid afternoon and hunting til dark. Sometimes will get stuck in stand for a while after dark until deer have moved on.
RUB IT IN, lol. I dont even think I saw 40 deer this entire season???
I feel your pain.Resist the urge to flock shoot! [ (http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/6640/deerh.jpg)
You need stiffer shafts so they can handle grenade tips :)
It must be tough to have your problem. Feed the needy. It sounds like you already have you evenings planed for next year.
mickeys4, who are the people standing with all those deer at the top of the photo?
Heres a little advice, you will not find those deer concentrations at any other time of the year except cold weather, you need to realize you may be drawing the deer from a long, long distance. My guess you got the only groceries the deer can approach in an undisturbed manor. The crop rotation for next year will likely be beans and next winter you may have zero deer this time . I have one farm that is truly feast or famine based on rotation. Average guy would not believe but a fact indeed. Also the change from november to january is the same way. I added my 2 cents because on year you have good hunting the next maybe zero!Dave
No idea.I got this picture off Pixdaus.com.The deer don't seem too concerned with them.Also notice despite the harsh weather they sure are fat.
You might want to consider stand placements in the woods, over trails leading to and from the field. In the evenings, deer will sometimes move toward fields, but not move out into them until dark.
Invite me up there :goldtooth: Can you go on Google Satellite of the property and post a picture here?
my brother-in-law has a place like you described.As recurve27128 say's,A crop rotation usually changes things.When I hunt up there when there is corn the deer are thick as fleas.When there is soy beans there is not so many.Afternoon hunts are the best.
Thats like having too much fun or too much money! I wish I had that problem! :bigsmyl:
Thanks for everyone for there advice. I think Biggie's was the best....."bring lots of arrows!".
Also, for all those thinking "bombs" might to the trick, this tactic has already been accompished!
Just picture a 5 gallon bucket packed with a few sticks of TNT, nuts, bolts, washers, and small rocks, buried under a cull pile of carrots!
Not what I would call ethical, however, you can hardly blame the farmer, b/c he told me he lost over $50,000 last year to deer.
Hopefully, I can do better this season.
chris <><
The truth is, the situation in parts of Michigan isn't a joking matter.
There's way too many deer in some parts and I believe Michigan is the only state with a both a CWD and TB rating. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Michigan is always in the top 2 or 3 for deer/auto accidents too.
Large parts of southern Michigan needs the herds reduced by 30-50%.
Can YA send some down here to PA. I can send ya some Turkeys we have lot's of them but no deer. :help:
So...at this point here is my plan:
First: I plan on doing more scouting this winter, then throughout the summer I will place stands.
Second: I am going to talk to the grower about applying for deer damage permits.
Third: I am going to take plenty of arrows (thanks again Biggie)! All tipped with razor sharp WW.
Fourth: I am going to follow the many blood trials!!
chris <><
I would charge wildly into the middle of the swale on horseback, dressed like an indian with a spear and bow yelling war cries and shooting arrows in every direction. But make sure the wind is in your favor or that might not work. :thumbsup:
You guys crack me up!