Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

I recently got permission to hunt a cattle farm. The terrain is fairly rolling with timber draws covering quite a bit of the farm. There is a section of timber in one corner that is solid 20 acres of timber. Something that throws me off a bit though is that being a cattle farm, all of the woods, and draws are fairly clear of scrub brush or anything like that. No grass or weeds, some smaller trees (but even they have a high canopy), a TON of big trees, and a lot of them are oaks. The timber is surrounded by fence on 2 sides, and the other 2 are surrounded by grass. The fence is the end of the property line, and I don't have permission to hunt the other side. (Cattle fence only -not a barrier for a deer...only for me and the cows). Sometimes, the cattle are in the woods, and sometimes not.

I have never hunted cattle pasture before, and I don't know if this is someplace that I want to spend too much time. I just got permission right before season, and didn't have a ton of time to scout. I got out when I could.

I have hunted it twice so far, and have only seen 2 does. Everytime I leave though, I see deer going out into fields (not cattle fields) that I don't have permission to hunt a mile down the road.

I know that this is the time of year that I need to be in the woods, and I will be, but I don't know whether to hunt this timber, or go to my old usual spots and hunt this next year so I don't waste my time trying something new and finding out it was a mistake.

My question (after all that) is : Would you spend much time hunting this timber setup, or if you had someplace better, would you find something else? If you would hunt it, how would you approach it? I feel like if the cattle are around, I have almost no confidence that the deer will be around. Is that accurate? Can anyone help me?

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

One of the best places I've ever hunted was a cattle farm that sounds similar in nature to yours. The deer are not put off by the cattle at all and often graze alongside the cows. In fact, across the street from my Dad's house isa fawn that has been adopted by the cows. She feeds with the cows and doesn't seem more startled than the cows with humans nearby. Anyway, the areas that were the most productive for me there were wooded creek bottoms and woods adjacent to larger tracts of woods next door. Rubs and trails are useless because the cows cause both and their walking obliterates most deer sign, but I found the deer were very comfortable in small pasture openings interspersed throughout the area. Yeah, it's real open but I was able to stalk and kill a small buck and turkeys as well. Seemed very much like deer on golf courses and parks, they were so tame from lack of pressure. Enjoy.


BTW don't stick any of those BIG spikes (that go moo). Farmers really frown on that. :D

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

Thanks for the info.

I hunted there again tonight. I didn't see anything, but squirrels and cows. I did like the looks of this spot though. I think that I will try some of the draws next week. I'm going to try this spot a couple more nights. Man - I really wish I would have had time to scout before now.

You're right! There are no trails to be found anywhere. Cows have obliterated everything. I had cows around me tonight again. Some were under me till dark. They took off when I started to walk out.

The farmer did say that there were Turkey around too, but I have yet to see any sign.

The farmer will only allow me to hunt w/ bow because someone who hunted there before me wasn't as deer savy as most any average idiot, and shot a cow.

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

Best place I ever hunted was a cattle farm.I remember getting up at 3:30 and my dad would drop me off at the house,I couldn't stand that dog,he'd bark every time I came in,anyway I'd have to open the gate,then close it behind.I remember this one morn.I got there,it was still dark,so I stood next to a telephone pole for a little while,one by one these cows walked around,kinda made me feel not so alone ya know!;)not to mention they kinda mask your scent!loads of deer and turkey:D

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

Theproperty thatI hunt is half occupied with cattle andI have noticed thatthe the deer tend to bed in the areas that are not accessable to the cattle. This being said the deer will also graze in the fields with cows and I have found crossings in the fences, coming from the woods to the cattle pasture, that deer use. Although the trails and sign are obscure from cows, be sure that deer are thereyou just have to find the path they are taking to the fields.

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

Yeah...I have used the cow's pies to help mask my scent. When I walk in, I step in a couple. I just don't tell my wife that the mud on my boots isn't really mud. ;o)

I have hunted the farm 4 times now, and have only seen 2 does. I have only hunted the evenings so far, and that may have something to do with it. I like evenings better than mornings, but also, I have to work in the AM's. Weekends, I try to go to a farm up north and stay weekends.

There have been sightings of 2 large bucks in the area. Not actually on the farm, but less than 1/4 mile from it. (I'm working on permissions in other areas. but haven't gotten that yet)

The deer numbers around the farm are good. Just with only seeing the 2 does so far, it hasn't been a real confidence builder, but with what you all are telling me, that helps!

Thanks guys!

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

The deer will come out to eat that nice green grass created in the pasture from the cattle constantly grazing.

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

the deer will come...just be careful of the cows...lol.
i love huntin' cow pastures but i've been chased so many times by bulls or entire herds that i just can't take the panic anymore.
y'all will laugh or say whatever but i have turned non believers into believers...even have one hunt on video...the whole herd was after me.

just be careful and don't give up on the area.

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

Just ask a dairy farmer how many deer tracks are around his feeders every morning , it may even get you a new place to hunt .

RE: Hunting A Cattle Farm
 

That would be interesting to see:) Glad to hear you didnt get stampeded!