Baiting with corn.

[Bwhana]

But do you guys think it will be a good idea to use my bait areas to figure out where there coming from or where there bedding at by following there trails. Or is that not a good idea. First time hunter trying to learn here.

As a new hunter, avoid the baiting game and wear out your boots and legs spending time in the woods scouting. You can learn more faster from that and trying to jump deer to learn where they stay during the day than you ever will baiting. Lay out your land in grids and spend a whole session in one section and cover it completely. You will eventually learn that there are voids in all properties that are not worth the time to walk out, but you have to pay your dues through time to learn what those are.

 

[Skrause5]

As a new hunter, avoid the baiting game and wear out your boots and legs spending time in the woods scouting. You can learn more faster from that and trying to jump deer to learn where they stay during the day than you ever will baiting. Lay out your land in grids and spend a whole session in one section and cover it completely. You will eventually learn that there are voids in all properties that are not worth the time to walk out, but you have to pay your dues through time to learn what those are.

Ya isnt following the trails and where they are isn't the same thing what your talking about? Because people tell to set up between food and bedding areas why can't I set up between my feeding area and where there bedding?

 

[BTaylor]

Putting a camera or two on a bait pile or a mineral lick will give you an idea of general directions of travel. If you just want to shoot a few deer you can setup like you just mentioned. If you want to learn how to deer hunt, take Bwhana's advice and burn up some boot's. Late season and after season scouting will tell you a ton about the property you are hunting.

 

[Skrause5]

Putting a camera or two on a bait pile or a mineral lick will give you an idea of general directions of travel. If you just want to shoot a few deer you can setup like you just mentioned. If you want to learn how to deer hunt, take Bwhana's advice and burn up some boot's. Late season and after season scouting will tell you a ton about the property you are hunting.

I didn't say putting cameras on the bait pile. I was saying working my way back from the bait pile. Following the trails from the bait pile to there bedding areas and set up there. Because I have a lot of trails leading off in different directions. So I was think following them in the off-season and figure out where there bed areas are and set up there.

 

[BTaylor]

If your intent is to hunt relatively close too but not over the bait, using the trail cam will tell you direction of travel patterns and let you hang with out walking all through where you are going to try to immediately hunt. You know where they are going, cam will tell you which way they primarily are coming from morning and evening. Wind will tell you where to set up based on camera data. Back off a 100 yards or so and hang. There is no need to try to back trail them in your scenario and blowup a bedding area. Hope that makes sense.

 

[bigjoe]

I didn't say putting cameras on the bait pile. I was saying working my way back from the bait pile. Following the trails from the bait pile to there bedding areas and set up there. Because I have a lot of trails leading off in different directions. So I was think following them in the off-season and figure out where there bed areas are and set up there.

If you set up a bait pile and keep it running for a while you will be able to figure where the deer are coming from. However, you probably will just move the deer beds closer to you, especially the young ones.

 

[wannabehunter]

But do you guys think it will be a good idea to use my bait areas to figure out where there coming from or where there bedding at by following there trails. Or is that not a good idea. First time hunter trying to learn here.

Absolutely. Start with camera on your corn itself. Try to notice which direction the deer are approaching from. Morning pics are normally heading toward bedding and even pics are coming from bedding. Not always true but it's a start. Then you can try to position a camera on one of the trails leading to/from the corn. I find the tough part about baiting is that I'm interfering with the natural flow of the deer. This is why we have moved to a feed station type set up. Protein and minerals are supplied year round and corn is slowly added leading up to season and then slowly tapered after season. It lets the deer acclimate to the area as a food source year round. Since going to this method (and convincing my fellow rednecks to up their killing standards) has produced much high number of deer year round.

I always follow trails to bedding immediately after season has needed. I'll bust right through their living room (or suspected living room). Look for an increase in droppings and matted grass/leaves. If you suddenly find an area where it looks like every tree has been rubbed, you might have found a buck bed.

 

[Bwhana]

Ya isnt following the trails and where they are isn't the same thing what your talking about? Because people tell to set up between food and bedding areas why can't I set up between my feeding area and where there bedding?

I guess that depends on what your goal is... bait and you learn where they bed (does) in relation to your bait, and yes, they will sometimes change their bedding due to the bait. Bigger bucks will not change bedding due to bait, but will also not leave enough of a trail to follow either, assuming they come to it at all. Do you want to be fed a fish or learn how to catch your own fish from now on, same thing with the bait. Only you can answer that one.

 

[Skrause5]

If your intent is to hunt relatively close too but not over the bait, using the trail cam will tell you direction of travel patterns and let you hang with out walking all through where you are going to try to immediately hunt. You know where they are going, cam will tell you which way they primarily are coming from morning and evening. Wind will tell you where to set up based on camera data. Back off a 100 yards or so and hang. There is no need to try to back trail them in your scenario and blowup a bedding area. Hope that makes sense.

Well

I guess that depends on what your goal is... bait and you learn where they bed (does) in relation to your bait, and yes, they will sometimes change their bedding due to the bait. Bigger bucks will not change bedding due to bait, but will also not leave enough of a trail to follow either, assuming they come to it at all. Do you want to be fed a fish or learn how to catch your own fish from now on, same thing with the bait. Only you can answer that one.

Well I have had two 12 pointers on my camera. Just need to figure out where they are bedding at. Because they show up at 520 to about 530 at night. I am trying to catch them during the day. Kind of feel like it's a ok idea you just dont like baiting. Which is fine everybody has there opinions. But how would bucks not show a trail?

 

[weekender21]

Well

Well I have had two 12 pointers on my camera. Just need to figure out where they are bedding at. Because they show up at 520 to about 530 at night. I am trying to catch them during the day. Kind of feel like it's a ok idea you just dont like baiting. Which is fine everybody has there opinions. But how would bucks not show a trail?

How long after dark is that for your location? How much property do you have access to?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Skrause5]

How long after dark is that for your location? How much property do you have access to?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Umm about 180 acres I have access too. Probably not even 10 minutes after minutes after dark. But they have sometimes come super late too. So it's a little inconsistent. Want me to send you pictures of the property.

 

[wannabehunter]

Well

Well I have had two 12 pointers on my camera. Just need to figure out where they are bedding at. Because they show up at 520 to about 530 at night. I am trying to catch them during the day. Kind of feel like it's a ok idea you just dont like baiting. Which is fine everybody has there opinions. But how would bucks not show a trail?

530? Those deer are very close. They would be approaching the food most likely from downwind to scent check before stepping out. Look at the wind direction on the day you got pics.

Approach the possible bedding area very cautiously. Keep the wind just slightly in your favor but not completely in your favor. Most mature bucks will not put themselves at a complete wind disadvantage.

 

[Skrause5]

The red marker to the left is where the bait is. Where is saw the two 12 pointers the red and blue is where i laid more feed down which is actually totally forgot to mention I walked up this small mound and saw four bedding circled around the mound right down hill of the second feed spot.

 

[Skrause5]

530? Those deer are very close. They would be approaching the food most likely from downwind to scent check before stepping out. Look at the wind direction on the day you got pics.

Approach the possible bedding area very cautiously. Keep the wind just slightly in your favor but not completely in your favor. Most mature bucks will not put themselves at a complete wind disadvantage.

Well funny you say that where I forgot to mention 130 yard to the right of the feed there's is a small mound that has four bedding spots. But I am not sure if it's a buck bedding.

 

[Bwhana]

Well

Well I have had two 12 pointers on my camera. Just need to figure out where they are bedding at. Because they show up at 520 to about 530 at night. I am trying to catch them during the day. Kind of feel like it's a ok idea you just dont like baiting. Which is fine everybody has there opinions. But how would bucks not show a trail?

I didn't say a word about whether baiting is good or bad, re-read the post. I simply answered your question based on over 40 years of experience.

I can say that if I had a large buck on camera regularly at 5:30pm he would be on camera in my hands in a few days, easily.

 

[Skrause5]

I didn't say a word about whether baiting is good or bad, re-read the post. I simply answered your question based on over 40 years of experience.

I can say that if I had a large buck on camera regularly at 5:30pm he would be on camera in my hands in a few days, easily.

Well when I set this camera up at this new place the day before I went home for Christmas so if I had hunted it the next day probably of shot it. But it has only showed up twice during shooting hours sadly. About to check the camera again tomorrow morning. Hopefully he shows up again and I will keep you guys updated tomorrow.

 

[Skrause5]

I will posted a picture of him if you guys want.

 

[wannabehunter]

Well funny you say that where I forgot to mention 130 yard to the right of the feed there's is a small mound that has four bedding spots. But I am not sure if it's a buck bedding.

It’s most likely those bucks bedding there under the right conditions. I would move forward assuming those bucks bed where you saw the bedding circles. Post up between your feed and the beds in a quartering wind. Let the bucks be downwind of the food.

Do NOT go back into the beds. Approach your spot from the east and keep your wind north of the bucks.

At least that’s Id approach it given the info you’ve given.

 

[wannabehunter]

I will posted a picture of him if you guys want.

Of Course! We’re whitetail whores.
Don’t check that camera if the wind isn’t in your face the entire time. In my mind there’s really no need to check it. You’ve got deer coming and a possible bedding location. Go hunt.

 

[weekender21]

Well when I set this camera up at this new place the day before I went home for Christmas so if I had hunted it the next day probably of shot it. But it has only showed up twice during shooting hours sadly. About to check the camera again tomorrow morning. Hopefully he shows up again and I will keep you guys updated tomorrow.

I wouldn't go in there just to check the camera. Hunt, then check it when you're done. Stinking up the place without hunting it only lessons your chances of daylight activity.

If he's showing up within 10 minutes of shooting light, he's definitely on his feet within 100 yards or so during shooting hours. Doesn't guarantee he's bedded on your 180 though.

I would set up down wind maybe 100 yards in thick cover. He may bust you or you may get a shot. Worth the risk in my opinion.