deerhunting on a dairy farm tips?Aerial pics added

straitera · July 12, 2009, 10:51:00 AM

Deer feed early & late & spend the heat of the day resting in thick cover for the most part. They will be in the corn and favor it over acorns. Look for trails into the corn and setup where their trails lead into the woods. General rule only as 2 of the largest deer I've seen have been in the middle of the day. Where's the map? Generously consider the farmer. Lucky you.

ishiwannabe · July 12, 2009, 02:13:00 PM

You lucky dog. I know that area and there are LARGE bucks that hang there. Watch out for trespassers tho...and ticks.

adeeden · July 12, 2009, 02:57:00 PM

man if that bottleneck on the map (kinda looks like an hourglass shape of woods) is part of the property I would start right in the narrow spot of it wind permitting.

TNstickn · July 12, 2009, 03:02:00 PM

Around here, if the acorns are plentiful, the big deer will eat the white oaks and never come to the feeders. The trail cams set up on the feeders show does, does and more does, spikes, mostly young deer. Right now the deer trails are very obvious. Bucks usually travel off the main trails 30-40 yards down wind.

Looks like your gonna have alot of fun chasing deer this year!!!

b.glass · July 12, 2009, 03:05:00 PM

I thought I had something to add, then unclewit beat me to it. Good hay hands are hard to find sometimes. Offering that kind of help will set you in solid with that farmer.
I am excited for you! I can read the excitement in your type! Good luck and keep us updated!

Bona

horatio1226 · July 12, 2009, 03:09:00 PM

There is an aerial shot in the post above.

Thanks Jamie. Being Cubmaster does have its privileges I guess.

KENDALL TECHAU · July 12, 2009, 03:27:00 PM

Yep, offer to do some work for the farmer.On one farm I have access to I worked for the older couple that own it for two weeks several years ago. I painted most of their outbuildings.I would get started bright and early and work till lunch,eat lunch with them and call it a day. Their like family now! Also I got on two ajoining farms from their good referance. Always take care of the landowner. I find it takes acouple of seasons to learn a farm. Hunt where the sign is, dont' overlook areas close to the house, barn, etc.

wollelybugger · July 12, 2009, 03:32:00 PM

Don't forget the apple trees or crab apples if available. They will eat crab apples before regular apples. Don't forget to offer to share the harvest if you kill one on his property.

horatio1226 · July 12, 2009, 03:45:00 PM

I've always wanted to work on a farm so I'm excited for the opportunity to do that also. The farmer has sons the same age as mine so it will be a great learning experience for them also.

Littlejake · July 12, 2009, 04:06:00 PM

Walk every inch of it,then walk it again.

sagebrush · July 13, 2009, 01:00:00 AM

"Walk through "cowpies" when you go into your stands. Best cover scent there is!!"

I had a brother in law that used to put skunk on his bow too. I think I will pass. Gary

Roy Steele · July 13, 2009, 11:04:00 AM

I've deer hunted farms for 40 years.There is a few things that will help you out.
Become friends with the farmer.Help him out all you can.He'll have tons of usefull info.Talk to him about a long term mangement program.Most farmers don't want to raise deer just get ride of them so the idea of killing does go's with their way or thinking.It only takes a few years of letting those yearling walk and you have nicer bucks.And you get to kill does along the way.Farms are hard to come by and to hunt a farm along is a sure way to bucks.
KEEP THE PRESSURE LIGHT.You can do this and still hunt it as you please.
Scout from a distance.Never walk when you can ride.Do this and learn to use your topo's and aerial photo's.
Only walk and scout FEB.MARCH,APRIL Pick out stand sites then untill then use you maps and photo's.
Best stand sites are the ones you can come and go and while your there your never known to be there.
Unpressured (BUCKS)deer are alot easer to hunt.
The cow patties are a grest idea.I've used it for a long time.
Fields are hard to morning hunt unless the rut is on.Hunt in the eavening hunt the trails leading to.It's hard not to watch the feilds and see a lot of deer.But this won't kill you deer with a bow.Watch from a distance,trails their useing.
When the ruts going I try to hunt between doe groups or between wood lots or better yet thickets.
Early I like to hunt oaks on field edges.If its a good stand site fertize white oaks in this area do this a few springs and you'll have a hot spot for years to come.
Same thing with honeysuckle great late season food fertize it and the deer will flock to it.
Sounds like you have some controll so the lighter you keeep the pressure the better your hunting can be.
There are dozzens of other tips the others have cover most.Hunt hard hunt long hunt when every bodys given up.Even it your doing it wrong at least your out there doing it.Have a plan each trip out and stick to it.
Most of all hunt smart.Luck has nothing to do with it.You make your own luck through skill.This is the only way to be constence.And kill your deer every year after year after year.
I do and you can to.

BRONZ · July 13, 2009, 01:15:00 PM

Good info on here so far.
Take a copy of your aerial photo and a pencil and starting walking. Mark trails, rub lines from last year, creek crossings, beds (if you find them)... Try to minimize impact by using cover scent. Now you can take a good look at potential stand sites-- mark them and get some hung now.

Another thing you need to consider is how you plan to get from your truck to your stands. Taking the quickest way from point A to B may also be spooking deer. i.e. Walking through a soybean field before daylight is probably the same place the deer you hope to be hunting are feeding! (Oops, Arwin already reviewed this) There's a difference between hunting and hunting smart.

horatio1226 · July 13, 2009, 06:06:00 PM

Great advice guys. I appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks!

Jedimaster · July 13, 2009, 10:36:00 PM

Word of caution from one that's been on the farmers side of this: Read his sign well also. Some guys (me included) don't mind a little idle conversation but his day may be full. Never stop a man with a load on his shoulder to chit-chat. I know this goes without saying but experience has taught me that not everyone recognizes these things (and alot of folks read here). It is a great thing to get permission to hunt a farm - but it's his job site, so he may not be inclined to share the excitement right away.