I think you answered your own question. They probably are in the fencerows or hedgerows, lowspots, etc. This very same thing perplexed me for a couple of years on a farm I used to hunt in upstate NY. Right after dark, they magically appeared. I too hunted the wooded area and funnels to and from crop fields and never saw a thing up until dark. I finally figured out that in order for them to be in the fields right aftet dark, they have to be close. And after covering all the normal entrance areas from the woods to the fields, I never saw any deer coming to what I figured were staging areas. Where I found them were in the most unlikely spots. Most hunters would ignore these areas because they seem too open. Look in small jibs of woods that may dot the fields, hedgerows, etc. Even behind barns and outbuildings. Low lying areas just big enough to hide bedded deer also. The problem with finding them there is that they can see you coming before you ever get close and will bolt out the other side before you ever get a chance to see them. Some will hold so tight you almost have to step on them if they think they're hidden good enough. What we did after figuring them out was to have some guys go out to the other sides of the small areas of cover, beyond the view of the bedded deer and wait. Have another guy or 2 walk slowly towards the small cover areas you think might be hiding a few deer and "slowly" walk and stop for several minutes around that cover. The deer that bolted already that you may have not seen might give the standers a shot. The ones that hold tight will get so nervous when you stop and gaze into the cover that they'll bolt right in front of you and give you a shot. The key is to have the standers get into position without being seen by the bedded deer in the small cover areas. The other thing I noticed about this method is you may be able to jump them once or twice, but once they figured out you know their habits and bedding areas, they won't be back for quite awhile.
Good luck. This has worked for me dozens of times. Even if you think there's no way a deer can hide in a spot, check it anyway. They don't need much to hide in. If you are alone, find a good vantage point and glass these small areas very good. you may be able to spot one or the movement.



Edited by - Crowpecker on 12/09/2002 15:50:17