Beans or corn?

[Ethan Givan]

Where would you expect to see deer the most...a cut cornfield or a cut bean field? I know some people swear by cut cornfields, but others like cut bean fields. I have seen deer in both, but honestly I think Ive seen more deer using cut bean fields. What is your opinion?

[Dawg]

Never have had the opportunity to hunt a bean field. The first cut corn field I hunted was last year. So all in all...........I can't say.

[wtnhunt]

Can't really say either, but did see some deer in an unharvested bean field just this morning.

[woolybear]

Had the oppertunity to observe a bean field right across the road from a corn field throughout the summer and early fall this year. Corn finally got cut last week.

Gotta say right now the un-harvested bean field gets just as much attention as the fresh cut corn but the corn seems to hold them in there for longer periods of time and they come in earlier. Bigger bucks here seem to prefer the cornfields from what I've witnesed so far.

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

there's 6 does and yearlings in my small cut bean field right now... I prefer beans early season and corn late season.

[TN Bucknasty]

I don't think that a plant finer than a soybean has ever existed. Both grain and plant are highly palatable and nutritious for deer, they can provide an excellent food source year round, they help deer to grow bigger racks and bodies, and apparently, they are delicious to my four legged prey.

[aldridgem1]

I have been hunting them both for awhile now and i honestly think they like the corn much more, especially after it has just been cut. Thats just my opinion because i have seen them in both, but if i had to choose where to hunt it would be over a cut corn field.

[brad dryden]

I know when after I cut a corn or bean field its about 50/50 I dont think it matters to much. I would assume the cut corn field for the fact they will be looking for corn that was missed by the combine. After a field is cut it seems like they come out to check the fields out though and eat the small grasses the beans were grown up over.

[FSU_Seminole]

Where would you expect to see deer the most...a cut cornfield or a cut bean field? I know some people swear by cut cornfields, but others like cut bean fields. I have seen deer in both, but honestly I think Ive seen more deer using cut bean fields. What is your opinion?

I've hunted around bean and corn fields all my life. Here is the low down on them both.

When your hunting season starts, if your beans are still lush and green, hunt your beans. Ignore the corn in early October late September. Deer prefer beans over corn during this time.

When it starts to get cold & your beans start to turn yellow then brown, move to the corn field. Corn is in fact very sweet to deer & its a carbohydrate.

You were asking which is better to hunt a cut corn or cut bean field I think it depends on how much forage is left in any particular field. If their are 2 cut fields & 1 has lots of corn & its late in the year & cold I'd be hunting that cut corn field. I think deer prefer corn after it gets cold. But they will in fact hit a cut bean field as a second option if nothing else is around to be eaten. Thats how its always worked out for me. Hope this helps.........

[hunter109]

i would hunt in the corn if it just got conbined because if the beans are done they dont leave much behind any more

[NC8point]

I agree with most the others hunt the beans early the corn later but its a 50/50 thing for the most part

[Buckeyenut]

I agree with most the others hunt the beans early the corn later but its a 50/50 thing for the most part

I agree, and I'll expand on that thought. The beans provide protein, a vital macro nutrient that is used in every cell in the deers body. Protein also helps build and repair tissue (which provides body mass for the upcoming rut), aids in antler growth, and helps to make enzymes and hormones that the body needs- including helping the does with lactation (feeding of their fawns). Lastly, protein does provide some energy, but the body does not have a mechanism to store that "energy", such as the way excess carbohydrates (corn) are stored as "fat". So, during warm(er) weather the beans are just what the deer need.

Now, when it is cold the deer need energy to regulate normal body functions, such as heat regulation and respiration. The easiest way to get this energy is to eat lots of carbohydrates (corn)- they provide all the deers immediate energy needs, and any "extra energy" is stored as body fat.

This is not to say that deer don't eat beans in cold weather, because they do still need protein in their diet.

My suggestion is to plant both, if you can!

[Stinger-Hunter]

I have a situation right now where there are cut corn fields and uncut bean fields right next to each other.

I say, they will eventually make their way to or from the beans each night since they are still uncut. This puts my stand in a great location. Hopefully, they will walk by and pay a visit.

[bloodtrails]

beans:fish:

[hunter1109]

well here in ohio we ant had much rain so we hunt any fields near water so we can see them going and comming to the water well i hunt over water right now but i do hunt ethier when i have the chance

[Stinger-Hunter]

After a few more trips to the fields, I can see that the deer are hitting the beans a little heavier. The trails leading in and out of the beans are getting more defined as well. I hope they don't cut them for another couple of weeks.

[pruts]

After a few more trips to the fields, I can see that the deer are hitting the beans a little heavier. The trails leading in and out of the beans are getting more defined as well. I hope they don't cut them for another couple of weeks.

I was outside of the city today and saw two groups one of 6 and one of 4 in different feilds feeding both were cut beans. Most farmers have all there beans off now in this area.

[hunter109]

well we would hunt corn feilds because it has alot more food for the deer then the bean feilds because the conbine dont get all the corn out of it