I've got three very similar yet very different scenarios to look forward to this fall. I've gained access to new lands....and, for the first time ever......ag crops.
Situation 1 - I can hunt the field....but not the woods. I've got a thicket I can get in (NO climb-able trees).
Situation 2 - I can hunt the woods leading up the field edge.....but not the field, itself. "Better"....but still a problem (I'll get to that).
Situation 3 - I can hunt both the field and the woods. STILL a "problem".
So.....for you guys who hunt destination food sources such as this......WHAT do you do if you pick the wrong trail leading to the beans.....OR.....you don't get a shot at the deer you want IN the beans?
How long do you wait 'em out? 'Til they leave?
I can see this type scenario being a GREAT early-season producer......but I also see it as rolling the dice in a BIG way.
In my experience of hunting fields on our old farm, I used to just sit em out if Ichose the wrong trail or entrance rte. Im not sure exactly what you are asking though.
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The ability to get close to game remains the essence of all bowhunting today.
I'll take woods everytime. As a bowhunter I really don't enjoy sitting on a field watching deer feed 200 yards away. In the woods you'll have deer activity longer and earlier, more rutting activity, acorns, blah blah blah. As a bowhunter I see no way to hunt a field edge only. Your deer is heading for the woods as soon as he's shot so you're trespassing to recover. Fields are tough to hunt in the mornings as the deer are usually in them or bedded on the edge of the field until first light. Tough to get in undetected in most situations. Of course hunting the fields and the woods is the ideal. You're not stepping on toes and can get around. Are these actual senerios or are you hypothetically thinking again?
Jeff I think I understand a bit now. I would stick with the woods unless you have the deer pegged in the early season and can get a shot on the field. You will see lots of deer from the field, but you may never get that shot, however, I have killed deer on field edges especially soybean fields in late Oct early Nov. if they are not cut yet. Never killed a buck like this though.
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The ability to get close to game remains the essence of all bowhunting today.
As a bowhunter I see no way to hunt a field edge only. Your deer is heading for the woods as soon as he's shot so you're trespassing to recover.
The field (situation 1) I'm describing is only 30yds deep......if I'm set up in the thicket. "Trespassing" isn't an issue. I can retrieve my game in the woods with the landowner's permission.......or even if she didn't say it was "OK". I have every righ to be where I'm hunting.....and in NC she can't refuse to alow me retrieval. I don't think it will be an issue, though. I just can't HUNT, in those woods leading to the field.....and my access will be from the top side of the thicket.
ALL scenarios "real".
My season opens Sept. 8th......and the beans won't be cut until probably end of Oct.
For me, I'm hunting those beans early on. You can get yourself into a situation when there are deer in the field, and you need to leave though. I have waited many times until full dark, and snuck out. I know you use a climber, and so do I. In these cases, I don't re-assemble it, just carry it out as two pieces to avoid making any unnecessary noise, although with the Summit Skin, I can get my clomber together pretty darn quietly.
The deer will come out to that field, and they mill around alot, just have to be patient and hope they come by.
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2007 Bowtech Commander 70# @32"
Spot-Hogg Hunter Hogg-It 5 Pin
Limb Driver
Easton Full Metal Jacket Camo 300
Grim Reaper Razorcut
Grizz Trick 125
Summit Goliath SS
Jeff, I have been successful doing this is the past especially early and late season. What i would do if you can is make sure you get out there and do as much scouting as possible this summer. Keep an eye on the field you want to hunt and watch where the deer enter the field. Pay attention to the wind each evening, and where the deer enter the field with that wind. From my experience, mature bucks will enter the field using different trails with different winds, but are usually pretty consistant.
After gathering as much information as you possibly can, get in there and get your stand set. I know that field edges arent always optimal for tree stand placement. Don't be afraid to hunt from the ground. Early season is a great time to do this. Get in there with a saw and some logs and build yourself a nice little natural groundblind. It wont stick out to the deer like using a pop-up blind and they should be used to it within a a few days if they notice it at all. Being eye level with the deer just makes it that more intense!
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Michael Hunsucker
Heartland Bowhunter Pro-Staff
Jeff - Have you ever hunted a destination spot at all?
It can be a good place to hunt (especially for does), but be prepared for them to come in on pins and needles. They are ALWAYS much more alert it seems at these destination sources than in the timber, even in areas with really low pressure.
"Destination" food source = LONG sits
