I don't think they prefer to live in the corn, but will if hunting pressure is on. They are pretty safe in there, but like you said, they may stampede you or, you could catch one off guard, depending on wind, and what stage of the rut.

I lucked out. The corn field behind my stand got picked today. Funny thing is, the is a "No Hunting" sign right next to my stand in that corn field. So, I'll have to wait for them to cross the fence into the crp ground. And hope if I hit one, he doesn't run back across the fence. Even so, I'll drag it back across before I dress it. Good luck out there, and be safe.