Thick cover questions

[mike.podolan]

Those very thick areas...hunt the trails/tunnels going in and out from a nearby tree where you have shooting lanes. try to figure out where they are going to feed and where they come back from to bed depending on different winds, time of year, etc.

You have to get as close as you can without spooking deer. i like mornings because i can get in there real early and wait for them to get back. if you're doing an afternoon hunt you might not be able to get as close. another thing you can do is stay downwind farther away for your first hunt and try to pin point where they are coming from. pay attention to the wind tho. if its blowing opposite they might not come that same way or even bed there period

Also, i usually find the less beaten in trails belong to a buck and the cattle path lookin trails belong to the doe herd. The bucks might use a different route in to the same stuff but just a little bit away.

I appreciate the variety of info and factors you’ve given me to consider here. I’m working on taking good notes and journaling my hunts each time. It really helps me process the info and hopefully take advantage in the future. I’ve really started to like hunting mornings, too. I had two does come right under my tree on their way back to the thick on opening morning, which gave me a bit of confidence (blowing the shot was a different story). I just need to find a variety of better setups and access consistently.


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[mike.podolan]

An observation sit or two 50-75 yards off but with good visibility can pay dividends here to pinpoint that faint or unseeable trail the bucks are using.

I love the idea. I just never really get a chance to hunt days consecutively right now. I always feel like I need to try to be “on the X” to have a chance to make it happen and fill the freezer. I did accidentally have an observation sit about that distance away from where they were moving last time out. I feel like I learned something for sure. Maybe it’s still worth it to intentionally try sits like this just to gather info for the future.


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[Horn]

Hey @mike.podolan , fellow Michigander here. You gotta be the most responsive, appreciative poster I've seen, and that's awesome!

I was thinking though, you didn't mention public/private land or if you're archery only but in zone 3 you can use any legal firearm during muzzle loader which runs 12-2 / 12-11. 50 -75 yards is probably a doable if you can or are inclined to use a firearm. There's also late doe but I think that's private only.
I switched back to my bow, for what that's worth but I'm not against boom sticks ether

 

[mike.podolan]

Hey @mike.podolan , fellow Michigander here. You gotta be the most responsive, appreciative poster I've seen, and that's awesome!

I was thinking though, you didn't mention public/private land or if you're archery only but in zone 3 you can use any legal firearm during muzzle loader which runs 12-2 / 12-11. 50 -75 yards is probably a doable if you can or are inclined to use a firearm. There's also late doe but I think that's private only.
I switched back to my bow, for what that's worth but I'm not against boom sticks ether

Thanks! I’m a teacher by trade, so asking questions and being responsive is just in my nature, I suppose. I love to learn and am impressed with how much has been shared here.

I am in SW Michigan, and I only have public to hunt. There is a parcel I hunt that is archery only. I currently have a crossbow and shotgun to hunt deer with. I’m hoping to get out this weekend to take advantage of the extended firearm rules, for sure! I’m trying to figure out which parcel to hit based on my past scouting and wind; I’m sure it’s all been pounded pretty hard by now, but I’ll give it a shot.


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[Horn]

I'm farther north but for what it's worth I've been seeing feeding sign and fresh ( or much fresher) droppings near autumn olive the last few weeks, if that's in a low spot near a wetter area even better. Maybe check some pine/hardwood edges or mixed trees for feeding too, I seen some does with my own eyes just tonight browsing around, again lower elevation near wetter or water. ( didn't bring my bow because I'm not smart, lol)

Hopefully that's helpful!

 

[mike.podolan]

I'm farther north but for what it's worth I've been seeing feeding sign and fresh ( or much fresher) droppings near autumn olive the last few weeks, if that's in a low spot near a wetter area even better. Maybe check some pine/hardwood edges or mixed trees for feeding too, I seen some does with my own eyes just tonight browsing around, again lower elevation near wetter or water. ( didn't bring my bow because I'm not smart, lol)

Hopefully that's helpful!

Interesting info! Of course, I have another question: why do you think the lower/wetter areas are seeing more activity now?


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[Jimdude]

Since we touched on ground scent, I would like to add… When deer walk past my tree, if they walk across my path, they always stop to smell my tracks. Shot my last giant while he was sniffing my tracks. Now I intentionally leave a path to my tree that I hope they cross. Last deer I messed up on came in super fast and only gave me a shot because he stopped to smell my tracks. Unfortunately I was all packed up and ready to come down, but he gave me the broadside shot opportunity. I did intentionally leave that track too. Sorry to derail the thread.

 

[mike.podolan]

Since we touched on ground scent, I would like to add… When deer walk past my tree, if they walk across my path, they always stop to smell my tracks. Shot my last giant while he was sniffing my tracks. Now I intentionally leave a path to my tree that I hope they cross. Last deer I messed up on came in super fast and only gave me a shot because he stopped to smell my tracks. Unfortunately I was all packed up and ready to come down, but he gave me the broadside shot opportunity. I did intentionally leave that track too. Sorry to derail the thread.

No worries! I’m here to learn everything I can. Any information is valuable, so I appreciate your insight.


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[Horn]

Interesting info! Of course, I have another question: why do you think the lower/wetter areas are seeing more activity now?


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Mostly observational, it's my rookie season but I'm not scared to cover ground. I want to be successful in hunting but so early in my efforts knowledge is more important than success, to me, so I still scout a lot.

I would offer a few guesses though.

Guesses are that terrain is favorable to deer for wind and thermals, probably offer some visual cover as well,the lower lying areas. Also protection from wind depending on the landscape, wind chill gets us all. Also water doesn't fluctuate in temperature as fast as air, so it could potentially be warmer or colder - a heat sink or ice cube depending on conditions.

There's also little green vegetation out there, so water might need to come from water rather than from whatever they're eating. So they're more inclined to stay close to wet/water. The most hardy plants may be able to use the extra moisture as well, possibly sustaining new growth, which in turn is food for our tasty friends.

Autumn olive is one hardy, hard to kill s.o.b. of a plant, they've got leaves hanging on still some places. If I recall right, it is also able to spread through its root system, that would probably mean that it will have new shoots coming up earlier than some other plants. New shoots being sustained by established plants, so again more resilient. Tender browse should be preferred as far as I know.

I've also noticed some seriously thorny vine like plants, kinda like brambles but I'm not sure this time of year, that are definitely still green, living and flexible, near the autumn olive. That's probably good food this time of year, if you're a deer. ( I'm finding groups -3 deer I believe, so a doe group- of fresh sign in these areas,along trails. Travel routes! With buffet stops!)

Long winded, sorry. I also welcome all thoughts or comments, let's learn together!

 

[philsanchez76]

Great questions @mike.podolan and great responses too. im not sure how many doe tags vs. buck tags etc you have up there but if you can, id recommend mostly just trying to figure out where the larger general deer population spends their time and hunt them first. These are your doe groups and young bucks. Nothing like killing a spike buck if legal. They are generally a first kill for many a rookie hunter! My first kill was a scrub 6 pointer. Since there are more deer in these areas they will leave a lot more feed sign, poop, heavier deer trailed etc and they will move on a much more predictable pattern. Kill a bunch of these deer first and then begin your journey into the "mature buck" camp. Reason is the general deer population will bed on the edge of these thick areas and give you opportunities right there on the transitions. You can also use these bedding area transitions during the rut as bigger bucks will follow does in or out of these areas where as during the rest of the year you will have to figure out how to hunt those thick areas to get a shot at a big ole buck. GL on your season!

 

[2Sloe]

Thick would be any area you would have difficulty walking into. I don’t want to sit in the middle of a thicket where I can’t see but 15 yds in any direction and can’t shoot but 5yards because it’s so thick. I want to sit on the edge of the thicket. Deer are edge animals, that’s where the food grows (browse) while also providing immediate access to securiity cover. In this pic, the woods are fairly open, except where a strip of saplings and briars/vines about 20-30 yds wide have grown on the edges of a slu. Deer will walk along the edge of this thick cover as they transit between bedding and food sources, even more so since the rest of the woods are fairly open. You are looking for the edge of thick cover.

 

[mike.podolan]

Great questions @mike.podolan and great responses too. im not sure how many doe tags vs. buck tags etc you have up there but if you can, id recommend mostly just trying to figure out where the larger general deer population spends their time and hunt them first. These are your doe groups and young bucks. Nothing like killing a spike buck if legal. They are generally a first kill for many a rookie hunter! My first kill was a scrub 6 pointer. Since there are more deer in these areas they will leave a lot more feed sign, poop, heavier deer trailed etc and they will move on a much more predictable pattern. Kill a bunch of these deer first and then begin your journey into the "mature buck" camp. Reason is the general deer population will bed on the edge of these thick areas and give you opportunities right there on the transitions. You can also use these bedding area transitions during the rut as bigger bucks will follow does in or out of these areas where as during the rest of the year you will have to figure out how to hunt those thick areas to get a shot at a big ole buck. GL on your season!

This is essentially my plan! I’m just trying to learn how to hunt deer in general first. I killed my first deer last year on opening day of gun season. It was a young 6 point, but my plan is to take a shot at anything legal within range. Thanks for weighing in! Good luck to you, too!


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[mike.podolan]

Mostly observational, it's my rookie season but I'm not scared to cover ground. I want to be successful in hunting but so early in my efforts knowledge is more important than success, to me, so I still scout a lot.

I would offer a few guesses though.

Guesses are that terrain is favorable to deer for wind and thermals, probably offer some visual cover as well,the lower lying areas. Also protection from wind depending on the landscape, wind chill gets us all. Also water doesn't fluctuate in temperature as fast as air, so it could potentially be warmer or colder - a heat sink or ice cube depending on conditions.

There's also little green vegetation out there, so water might need to come from water rather than from whatever they're eating. So they're more inclined to stay close to wet/water. The most hardy plants may be able to use the extra moisture as well, possibly sustaining new growth, which in turn is food for our tasty friends.

Autumn olive is one hardy, hard to kill s.o.b. of a plant, they've got leaves hanging on still some places. If I recall right, it is also able to spread through its root system, that would probably mean that it will have new shoots coming up earlier than some other plants. New shoots being sustained by established plants, so again more resilient. Tender browse should be preferred as far as I know.

I've also noticed some seriously thorny vine like plants, kinda like brambles but I'm not sure this time of year, that are definitely still green, living and flexible, near the autumn olive. That's probably good food this time of year, if you're a deer. ( I'm finding groups -3 deer I believe, so a doe group- of fresh sign in these areas,along trails. Travel routes! With buffet stops!)

Long winded, sorry. I also welcome all thoughts or comments, let's learn together!

That all seems reasonable. It sounds like you’re pretty knowledgeable for a rookie, so keep up the great work. I’ll definitely follow along with your adventures and hopefully keep learning along with you, too!


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[peteherbst]

Thick cover is good to find. But if it’s too thick to walk through, there’s no way a set of big horns is going through there either. And if it seems too thick for big horns, look for a trail where those horns can get through without snagging.

 

[mike.podolan]

Thick would be any area you would have difficulty walking into. I don’t want to sit in the middle of a thicket where I can’t see but 15 yds in any direction and can’t shoot but 5yards because it’s so thick. I want to sit on the edge of the thicket. Deer are edge animals, that’s where the food grows (browse) while also providing immediate access to securiity cover. In this pic, the woods are fairly open, except where a strip of saplings and briars/vines about 20-30 yds wide have grown on the edges of a slu. Deer will walk along the edge of this thick cover as they transit between bedding and food sources, even more so since the rest of the woods are fairly open. You are looking for the edge of thick cover.View attachment 77802

Great example and picture! The visuals and descriptions are really helping this all sink in. I’m starting to think of areas that I have come across in scouting. Based one what you all have said, I’ve even gone and marked some areas on my map this evening to go back and scout with more purpose as soon as I can.


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[2Sloe]

Great example and picture! The visuals and descriptions are really helping this all sink in. I’m starting to think of areas that I have come across in scouting. Based one what you all have said, I’ve even gone and marked some areas on my map this evening to go back and scout with more purpose as soon as I can.


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When you are scouting, look for the ”edges”. I have a tree that i sit and the woods are fairly open, but there is a barely perceptible strip where the trees are just a little closer together with a few more saplings and that’s where the deer trail. Deer love sapling/briar thickets, which are often found on the edge of where water stands or where water once stood. Good Luck! Oh, also downed trees create pinch points or funnels where the deer go around the root ball sticking up out of the ground.

 

[philsanchez76]

This is essentially my plan! I’m just trying to learn how to hunt deer in general first. I killed my first deer last year on opening day of gun season. It was a young 6 point, but my plan is to take a shot at anything legal within range. Thanks for weighing in! Good luck to you, too!


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Hurray for 6 pointers!

 

[woodsdog2]

I can’t really add anything else to all the previous excellent responses but I do want to give you another perspective. Always try to determine the premise about statements or axioms that you read or hear about regarding deer and deer hunting. What I mean is that thick cover is only necessary for deer because they demand security. Security can be achieved not only in cover but also utilizing terrain and other features of terrain that make them feel comfortable. You may think an area is more open than it should be but if their are side hills, draws, valleys, points above that overlook cover or is near the thick cover, that buck may have achieved perceivable security without having to be in the thickest stem count areas. I note where thick cover is but I also note transitions of thick cover through more open woods and usually find sign along those thicker transition. Deer will stick to any cover or also follow low spots that may not be brushy like diversion ditches or low sealed through moderately brushy areas and feel perfectly safe. Standing corn along wood lots the spaces between those two cover types can make a buck feel
Very secure. Overgrown grape fields the headlands between even managed grapes and corn or orchards and goldenrod fields with low area that transition through. It’s not always only the most thickest stem count areas utilize terrain and other features that corral movement
By creating secure travel ways for bucks.

 

[OspreyZB]

I can’t really add anything else to all the previous excellent responses but I do want to give you another perspective. Always try to determine the premise about statements or axioms that you read or hear about regarding deer and deer hunting. What I mean is that thick cover is only necessary for deer because they demand security. Security can be achieved not only in cover but also utilizing terrain and other features of terrain that make them feel comfortable. You may think an area is more open than it should be but if their are side hills, draws, valleys, points above that overlook cover or is near the thick cover, that buck may have achieved perceivable security without having to be in the thickest stem count areas. I note where thick cover is but I also note transitions of thick cover through more open woods and usually find sign along those thicker transition. Deer will stick to any cover or also follow low spots that may not be brushy like diversion ditches or low sealed through moderately brushy areas and feel perfectly safe. Standing corn along wood lots the spaces between those two cover types can make a buck feel
Very secure. Overgrown grape fields the headlands between even managed grapes and corn or orchards and goldenrod fields with low area that transition through. It’s not always only the most thickest stem count areas utilize terrain and other features that corral movement
By creating secure travel ways for bucks.

Spot on. Whenever I find a big shed antler, I closely examine it for little scratches/tick marks. If you find one covered in those micro scratches, you can bet he's spending a lot of time in the thick stuff, and that's where I'm gonna spend my time looking for the other antler and/or the buck. On the contrary, if the antler is smooth and polished without many scratches, your time would be better spent searching more open areas, or maybe thick stuff with soft stems (tall grasses). Different bucks will figure out different ways to avoid hunters (or keep tabs on them), even on the same property.

 

[mike.podolan]

I can’t really add anything else to all the previous excellent responses but I do want to give you another perspective. Always try to determine the premise about statements or axioms that you read or hear about regarding deer and deer hunting. What I mean is that thick cover is only necessary for deer because they demand security. Security can be achieved not only in cover but also utilizing terrain and other features of terrain that make them feel comfortable. You may think an area is more open than it should be but if their are side hills, draws, valleys, points above that overlook cover or is near the thick cover, that buck may have achieved perceivable security without having to be in the thickest stem count areas. I note where thick cover is but I also note transitions of thick cover through more open woods and usually find sign along those thicker transition. Deer will stick to any cover or also follow low spots that may not be brushy like diversion ditches or low sealed through moderately brushy areas and feel perfectly safe. Standing corn along wood lots the spaces between those two cover types can make a buck feel
Very secure. Overgrown grape fields the headlands between even managed grapes and corn or orchards and goldenrod fields with low area that transition through. It’s not always only the most thickest stem count areas utilize terrain and other features that corral movement
By creating secure travel ways for bucks.

I really like this perspective. I think I just need to approach it with that mindset of "Would I feel safe or at least like I could escape quickly if someone was trying to kill me."