Posts Tagged ‘field crops’
Deer Hunting Farm Land
Farm land deer hunting offers much success to many hunters each year. This article will take a look at some of the techniques for hunting farm land.
Deer Food
The first obvious choice for food when deer hunting farm land is the available field crops. Beans, corn, and other crops are ideal for holding deer. These open fields allow the hunter to observe deer from a distance and setup accordingly. Pay close attention to the field corners, low points, and small isolated fields as deer will often use such areas more frequently.
Also look for any fruit orchards such as apple trees that may be available on the property. As the season progresses, these locations may become an effective place to put a tree stand or blind.
Water
A farm will have some form of water supply used for irrigation. This may be a nearby river or a man made pond. Pat attention to these areas as deer will take advantage of them. Look for deer crossings or an abundance of tracks or other sign near the edges. Especially if cover is provided, a water hole can sometimes be a honey hole for taking a deer.
Bedding And Cover
Many farms have small tracts of standing timber throughout the property. These areas generally provide good cover and bedding areas for the deer. Hunting the edges of these tracts can offer good deer sightings.
Another factor to consider is hedge rows and ditches. Many farms are structured where an irrigation ditch or hedge row flows throughout many sections of the land. Deer will use these areas to bed down and also for traveling from one location to another.
Tall grasses or wheat fields also provide good cover for deer. It is very easy for deer to disappear in such areas. Also don’t forget about the field crops for bedding. Deer will take advantage of standing corn and other crops for cover.
Many farms also have fences. Deer are often spotted and hunted as they bedded against a field fence. Deer will also use a fence as a directional means of travel. Often following along beside a fence before jumping over at a certain area.
The Rut
Hunting farm land during the rutting period can be exciting. Especially if there is small patches of trees or hedge rows for cover. Does in estrus will move into isolated areas to get away from the other deer. The bucks will be on the move searching for these does. A hunter can setup near these patches of cover and often be in a good location for buck sightings.
Deer Hunting Tips
As in most hunting situations, finding the fresh and active sign is the best approach to proper farm land setup. Use good scouting, observation, and scent control skills for success. Although tree stands or ground blinds can certainly be effective, don’t forget about still hunting or stalking techniques. Since a majority of the land will be open country, a sneak approach may be worth while.
