ORIGINAL: huntingson
The sactuary on our farms is about 10-15 acres and we never go in there except to retrieve a deer. The deer literally live in there and we just hunt the edges during the rut. It has made a world of difference.
I disagree on the food plots. I think it helps to have out another food source that is different than the others for the deer. They rerouted their trails to take them through our plots and they browse on them frequently. Are they necessary? No. Do they help? I think they do.
Like Germ said, cover is the most important thing as far as I am concerned. I am adding at least 10 acres of long and short bluestem next year. The 10-12 acres I have that is just reforesting is a magnet for deer right now. They used to never use this field, now they are in it consistently. It will take years, but I will get my farm right eventually.
What are you planting? Maybe I planted the wrong stuff[8D] I have 3 out right now, deer just do not bother them[:@] My neighbor has a great one, never seen a deer in it. I see the deer on the river bottoms eating the greens.
I do agree plots will work, for some reason not for me. I am curious to see how others who hunt river bottoms do it.