Sam16 Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Hey all, I have been extremely excited to hunt my property since Easter. that is when the land owner told me that there were going to be 10-15 acres of corn planted on our 220 acre farm instead of the usual overgrown field. I rushed and put stands up accordingly to hunt these corn fields, and have got some good pics of deer around them. My question is, do you think corn is more beneficial for deer hunting when it is stand, or after it is harvested? My argument for standing corn is because it obviously holds a lot of deer in the fields, giving them all the cover and food they need to survive. The argument for cut corn is you continuously see deer being taken over cut corn fields in all the tv shows (i myself have never taken one over a corn field). However, i also have read that they put a tracking device on a mature buck, and it never left the standing corn for something ridiculous like 27 days. They have no reason to leave, making them almost impossible to hunt. One hunt on public land for me over a standing corn field produced a nice parade of does for me last year though. What do you guys think? Just trying to figure out what to expect hunting over the corn for the full year. Any opinions would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 both standing and harvested corn is going to give you opportunity. I think in some ways you answered your own questions. While the corn is standing, it'll provide both food and cover. After cut, it is mainly a food source. Harvested corn plots are simply and easier way for deer to get at thr corn. The deer can feed, browse, and continue on their way. There isn't much fussing with the corn. Plus, for tv purposes, it is easier to film a hunt in an open corn field...you can see the deer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 We have a 2.5 acre plot (long and narrow) that is getting heavy usage right now. In 3 evening hunts for my brother and myself sitting over the edge of the corn, we average 8-12 deer a night observed. We have a 10' wide strip of Whitetail Institute's Winter Greens and No Plow down the middle. Sure seems to be working good. We leave the corn stand all winter. Todays harvesting equipment doesn't leave a heck of a lot behind for the deer to eat. Once a flock of turkeys gets in there, you may as well have vaccuumed up every last kernel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter47 Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 cut corn......and that is how i get good pics of deer as well, a five gallon bucket of corn and i have 300 + pics to choose from on my camera in a week, by the way im a farmer from north central indiana and after feild dressing many deer, well our deer any ways love corn!!!!!! good luck and ive only got less than a week and counting till arrows could be flying!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 i've had more success with the corn cut, and last year my neighbor pushed a nice 8 point to me while he was harvesting his corn.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Somebody here posted pics of a deer that was "harvested" in the corn field with a combine. ( Not pretty) So obviously they think they can't be seen in a corn field and are quite at home in one. I've never hunted over one but I would if given the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 when hunting standing corn, find trails leading from bedding areas to the corn, and hunt those.. when cut you may want to move closer to field edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest adrenaline_junky Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 It can be touch in go. Either one of them will produce and they both will skunk you. I've shot deer over both and found that as long as you have the intersecting trails coming out of the bedding areas into the cornfield that your gonna see deer maybe not everynight or a lot each night but your sure to see one. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 If the food is there, they will be there. It's been my experience that deer will use the standing corn for cover as much or more as they use it for food. I leave mine up and pull ears off as the season progresses. It can be fun to still hunt in standing corn on really windy days. Put the wind in your face and walk each row, the deer have no idea you are there, and the wind masks your movement and any noise you would normally make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 I have a stand hung in a tree right between a corn field and bedding area...in a bit of a low lying area. If I don't see deer, I'll be amazed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyman Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 If the food is there, they will be there. It's been my experience that deer will use the standing corn for cover as much or more as they use it for food. I leave mine up and pull ears off as the season progresses. It can be fun to still hunt in standing corn on really windy days. Put the wind in your face and walk each row, the deer have no idea you are there, and the wind masks your movement and any noise you would normally make. DING! DING! DING! We have a WINNER! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad6639 Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 In my experiances, Im relieved when the farmer takes the corn down, because then they just lost a good hiding spot. Its tough when its up because they dont have to leave it if they dont want to, and if they dont leave it and you cant see them while there in it, there as safe as safe can be. If you ever want excitment, sit there with a gun while the farmer is taking the corn down, and sit back and watch the brown fly from the rows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 I love hunting over cut corn b/c it makes the deer move out of the field. You are right, they will stay in that field if they can get to water b/c they have little chance of being spotted or predated in that area. I have killed numerous deer over picked corn fields, one of them being my biggest deer ever, a 138" 10 ptr. I hunt mostly field edges, and i've had my best success when the field is in corn and the corn is out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.