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Need help how to hunt this area

Skrause5

Active Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
102
So I don't have alot experience. Pretty new to hunting so I need help how to hunt this area. Really think this is a good area just don't know where to set up.
 

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I'm not sure exactly which property you're looking at but the strip of woods between the fields could be an interesting funnel.
 
I see a lot of potential ambush spots - really depends on timing and what you are after.
 
Highlighted where I can hunt. And the property owners will let me hunt that funnel at the top left hand corner of the property I outlined.
 
The next thing i would look for is what is planted in each field and what food sources deer are keying on. From there i would decide what phase of the rut i was in. For pre-rut through the rut i would look for travel through the funnel created by that low land even going back to the lower right. if you can find the intersection of multiple trails in there that would be where i'd start, keeping in mind the does are going to move from thick cover to food and bucks will be trying to cross their trails. Early season and late season i would just look for movement to the food sources.
 
Subject to what you're seeing on the ground, here are my big-picture thoughts:
  1. Find the food deer want, and hunt there.
    1. I like to key in on ag fields (beans early, then corn) and oak trees, but pay attention to woody browse in fallen trees and other shrubbery.
  2. Identify pinch points/funnels that deer are most likely to use.
    1. I'd bet big money the funnel in the top left of your property, just below the ridge elevation change, will be productive.
  3. Hunt "pockets" of good habitat that deer are likely to use.
    1. For example, I'd definitely have a setup in the top left corner of the bottom left field where that little "finger" of field extends into the woods. Deer LOVE little "fingers" like that.
  4. Identify water sources near bedding, and hunt those.
    1. Lots of bucks will go straight to water after getting up from their beds if it's nearby and safe.
  5. Hunt places you can access quietly and without being seen.
    1. For example, if you park at the house at the bottom, don't go stomping across the middle of the big field to reach the wooded point just below the "850" topo marker; use cover to your advantage.
  6. Understand that deer patterns change throughout the season based on food, cover, and rutting, and plan accordingly.
    1. You may have a killer spot in early October when soybeans are green and Sawtooth Oaks are dropping loads of acorns, but when the beans turn yellow and the ST oaks stop dropping, the patterns will change. Pay attention to that.
  7. Treat your first year or two hunting this place as a chance to "go to school" on the property and learn how the deer move THERE.
    1. I'd sit lots of ridges and open areas where you can glass and identify deer movement, then make plans for future hunts (or even future years).
    2. I'd also start conservative and get more aggressive as you learn more. There's a ton of value in "observation sits" before diving deep into a bedding area.
  8. Pay attention to how the deer move differently based on various weather conditions.
    1. They'll likely be sheltered from heavy winds in the cold, stick close to water and cool, low areas when it's hot, and will use different bedding based on wind direction.
I hope all that helps, buddy. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further!
 
OK please don't get offended to what I am writing here as I seriously am trying to help. You said you are new to hunting so my response in just guidelines of what i would tell a new hunter in my circle. I could easily tell you set up here and here (I see many potential ambush spots) and you would not necessarily learn the why. So I typically start out by saying become a student of whitetails. here are some steps i would try to take.

1. Get a copy of Mapping Trophy Whitetails by Brad Herndon - understanding terrain is vital for understanding whitetail movement, and no mater what or how we set up we are trying to shoot bucks or deer while they are moving.
2. Get Dan Infalt's videos on scouting and John Eberhart (buy used if needed)
3. Attend some scouting workshops if possible.
4. SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT then hunt. Seriously, the key to consistent success is to scout far more than you hunt - even in season
5. Learn the area - get in there and learn every square inch. Learn to identify food sources, bedding areas, edges, transitions lines, saddles, ridges, water holes, scrapes, rubs, staging areas, inside corners, overlooked spots, mast trees, etc…. map it all. It really takes time to learn an area but make one or two trips and scout it thoroughly. Once you understand where does and bucks beds, where food sources are and how they will use the terrain/cover to move from one to the next - set up your ambush spots and PLAN YOUR EXIT AND ENTRANCE routes. THEN STAY OUT until you are ready to hunt.
6. Talk to local biologist and find out key rut dates, what mast is in area, etc.
7. practice with your chosen gear a lot - try to make it as efficient and quiet as possible.
8. Learn about thermals, especially if you are hunting waterways and hill country.
9. Keep a good log book, especially during scouting and hunting. Record everything and look for patterns.


I've way over simplified this but the truth is no one but the DEER themselves can tell you were to hunt. we can make general recommendations based on what typically works, but only time in the area and learning to be observant will tell you exactly where.

10. And finally, probably the most important have FUN and do NOT be afraid to make mistakes. Sometimes you have to be super aggressive.
 
9. Keep a good log book, especially during scouting and hunting. Record everything and look for patterns

Keeping Logs is a big one (though i think you were 10 for 10 on advice). I've never been good about it but this year i started an excel (google sheets is just as good and free) log book where i can put in the info i cam up with. More importantly (to me at least) i started using OnX on my hunts/scouting missions and mark locations of sign/ hunters/ access/ terrain edges/ anything else that seems relevant and it is helping understand new areas very quickly.
 
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