hunting around cows


dcloud_9

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Ive been hunting a few years now, mostly leases since Ive been out of high school. But I'm married now and my father in law has excess and owns quite a bit of property. Problems is its used to run his cattle, and he uses all of it for all the cows he owns.

Getting to my question, whats everyone's tips and tricks for hunting on properties with cattle.Attracting, scouting. Is there minerals that attract only deer. This is my second year on the property, saw a lot of does last hear and tons of tracks, but never chased down any bucks

Thanks hope this question doesnt sound dumb

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people, will tell you that deer are used to cattle and have little affect on hunting.for 20 years, i have hunted 200 acres with 50 or so head of cattle.can't have food plots,feeders,minerals or anything cows can get to.going to stand before daylight spooks and causes cattle to go where you are headed,they feed in woods where stands are and are a nusiance.they are curious, and come to grunt calls sometimes if close by.i always try to hunt the cattle to find out where they are to decide where i will hunt.also,have to be careful where you shoot if you see a deer and you know they are in the area.not easy to cohabitate.

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Cows can kinda help push deer where you want them in some cases. If possible you might want to try to find and hunt where the cows are fenced out, especially wooded fencerows. Deer will use trails along fencerows.

Minerals, cows will find them and use them if you put them where they can get to them.

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as already said just about anything you put out for deer a cow will eat too if they can get to it. something to consider is venturing to your stand during feeding hours or usually you can throw out a single bale of hay or something to preoccupy them while you walk or head in. where the older cows go, all the rest will follow. if it's sunny and hotter out don't hunt wooded field edges where they are. go farther in past. they'll venture into the woods to seek shade but won't venture too deep in.

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That's been the only places I've hunted, on cattle ranches. Several pros to hunting where cattle are... 1st you won't have to worry about baiting or mineral licks, they'll hit the same places the cattle hit, 2nd the deer are not as spooky when they are around cattle, use cow crap as cover scent, sounds gross but works AWESOME, I've had deer come in directly down wind with cow crap on my boots, 3rd you can focus more on a deer's native diet, like forbs and white oak groves. That's a couple pointers I use and had most of my success on.

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My family owns 1300 acres (Where I grew up). Its still a running beef ranch. I have hunted around cattle for better than 20-years.

*Deer will still have travel routes regardless of the cattle

*Deer raised around cattle will look at them as just another animal

*Deer will occasionally eat cow hay during the winter

I have seen deer in the field with cows many, many times. Ive killed deer in a field with cattle. Figure out their travel routes like any other deer and go after them... No different. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the bovine.

DO NOT put out minerals, feed, etc. The cows will find it and ruin your hunt. I have dont this and thought I had a hard of deer coming to deercane. It was infact a heard of Limousine. Game Cameras are ok but be aware you will get a LOT of shots of cattle.

My best experiences have been just out of reach of cattle. Cross a fence and setup on the other side or just inside timber. Again, avoid food plots, mineral, corn, etc... you will only lure in bessy.

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Cows can kinda help push deer where you want them in some cases. If possible you might want to try to find and hunt where the cows are fenced out, especially wooded fencerows. Deer will use trails along fencerows.

Exactly what I do!

Cam pics of does / small bucks feeding with or near cows - have never seen a big buck with them. I see them in the thick stuff on the side of the fence cows are not in. Find a creek or low area.

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