New farm last year

  • john_steinhauer
    p4
    Posts: 2998
    #203545

    I started hunting a new farm last fall that was planted primarily in corn. I had four different shooters using this property last year, this year the area around where I hunt is oats, and alfalfa. My thoughts and concerns are, I know deer where using the corn as security and bedding. With no corn do you think I’ll see less deer period or more cause they’ll be pushed to bed in the woods. This farm I have no control over planting anything or where it’s planted at. I haven’t ran any cams there yet this season due to last year’s info I’m hoping the deer follow a similar early season pattern and I can show up first time in is a true first time in rather than setting and checking cams. I know the number one buck there I believe is 5-6 and don’t want any risk of pushing him nocturnal or out completely.

    flatlandfowler
    SC/SW MN
    Posts: 1081
    #131153

    I know I would have a very hard time not hunting a property with 4 shooters using it the previous year. From what I have read, there is a strong relationship between age and size of home range. If you were getting pictures and encounters with a 5 year old buck, there is a very good chance he is not far away.

    Have you thought about setting a cam and not checking it until your first time in hunting? This could give you several weeks of information with only intruding once.

    For us, all of the crops surrounding our land is on the same rotation. Years that we are surrounded by corn (such as this year) year get very few pictures. Years we are surrounded by beans, we get a ton of pictures. If anything, you have a good opportunity to get some pictures; but pressure is pressure.

    gobbler
    Central, MN
    Posts: 1110
    #131182

    Can you glass the property from a distance to confirm that a mature buck is around? I would put cameras up the next time it rains and get an idea of what bucks are hanging around. I’ve had years when crops get rotated and hardly see a deer the next year. You will only second guess yourself if you go in and hunt without confirming a good buck is around before hand. Just my 2 cents

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