New Land (update..Questions)

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

well i mentioned last week that my uncle got permission for us to hunt some land...i finally had a chance to go out and look around...i was somewhat disappointed...but at the same time i am glad i have somewhere to hunt...the only disappointment is that there is only about 15 acres maybe of woods...the rest is a huge alfalfa filed and bean field with a wood line along the road and east side of the alfalfa

here is a drawing i through together..as i said the wood lot is about 15 acres...but the rest of it is about 100 acres of bean field and alfalfa...they said they have been seeing alot of dder, and that there are about 5 bucks (not sure how big or small) cruising in and out...the circle with the X is where we put a ground blind for the youth hunt i am taking my cousin on this weekend any suggestions on what to do with such a small piece of woods?? there is alot of tracks on either side, and trails all through there....and there will only be 3 of us hunting it..oh and as yo ucan see there is corn across the dirt road..and the house is where my uncles lives...behind that (north) is another bean filed where they have been seeing a few deer...lots of food sources thats for sure

[unioncountyslayer]

Re: New Land (update..Questions)

This is the same predicament (sp?) that I'm in with some land that I lease. It's 110 acres and only 8 is wooded. Hard to hunt later in the season when the crops have been cut, but at least you have a place to hunt. On a positive note, the deer that I posted in the bowhunting threads was shot on a piece of property I have permission to hunt right outside of the city, and it's only 17 acres surrounded by roads and new construction. Good luck this season!

[dogdoc]

Re: New Land (update..Questions)

personally I'd stay out of the center of the woods. If that is the only cover in the area then that you need to treat that as a sanctuary. Hunt the edges and set up several blinds so that the wind doesn't carry your scent into the woods. The deer don't have a whole lot of area to feel safe so if you start putting a lot of pressure in the woods then those deer are going to become very nocturnal.

I'd also use this primarily as an evening set up. It would be hard to get the edges of the woods when the deer are feeding out in the fields in the darkness of early morning. You'll spook quite a few deer as you make your way to the stand if going on a morning hunt.

For rifle hunting I'd set up on the edge of the fields and wait for the deer to enter the food/cover edge. You have so many options even though the woodlot is small.

should have some big deer with all that food available.

todd

[dg]

Re: New Land (update..Questions)

Yea, I wouldn't stir it up either. Look for what the surrounding land has to offer and maybe you can ambush when they travel across property lines. Look for low lying areas and fence rows for travel routes. With one piece of woods, it may be easier to keep the wind in your favor also. For a morning stand, get in REAL early while they are out feeding. They can travel along ways in the hour before daylight. Don't overuse it. Congrats!!!

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

Re: New Land (update..Questions)

thanks for the advice....this is going to be mostly bow hunted...and my cousin and i are only going to make it out on the weekends..at least until the rut kicks in, then i may be out there maybe once during the week....other than that there shouldn't be much hunting pressure, i am not sure how long my uncle is going to be around, he does construction but gets sent all over the place (just got back from wisconsin yesterday)...and i don't think we are going to hang stands in the middle of the woods...its pretty thick in there...i think the farthest in will be maybe 10-15 yards

[dg]

Re: New Land (update..Questions)

[ QUOTE ]

.its pretty thick in there..

[/ QUOTE ]

If cover is limited in the area, they will definitely be there when the agriculture is gone.

[Guest Dust]

Re: New Land (update..Questions)

I have a place I hunt that is about 70 acres wheat and 10 acres wood. Probably the best spot I have. My dad, brother or I usually take a nice one off of it. I have found that that it is used mostly to pass through headed to the field next to us. So I hunt the wooded area mostly. Biggest issue is due to its size a shot deer usually ends up down on the neighbors land.