hunting standing corn edges???
 

Anyone hunt the (very) edges of standing cornfields and have much luck?? In all my years of hunting i honestly have never tried it[&:]Crop rotation is on my side this year and its going to be corn, so im thinking of trying it. Do you have more luck in the evenings or morning hunts?? do you set up near crop damage or more between known bedding areas and the crop? Who sets up directly on the edges looking for cruising deer? any tips apreciated, im all for hearing everything anyone has to offer.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

I hunt 5 yds in from the edge, on the corner of a corn field. I saw a ton of deer last year within shooting distance.

The early season afternoon (chase phase of the rut) is when I saw the most deer. They are just starting to scrape on the edges of the fields and the does are running the edges of the field...soon to follow the bucks. 5 yds was enough to break my silouette while still getting a clean shot (no branches).

I highly recommend a daytime scent dripper though. Get them coming to a nearby scrape during the day (counteract the full moon phase). Choose the side of the corn field (if you can) that you can look down the rows of the corn. This will eliminate any surprise element they have. Also, spooked deer with run right through the corn and stop 20-30 yds in the woods to look back. So don't neglect your into the woods shooting lanes.

Best of Luck!

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

I've HEARD that if you can get, say, a grassy edge of the field or some other strategic place, a "corn chute" is the way to go. Ifyou could cut a path in the standing corn about 3 feet wide by 100 feet long, it's like a deer highway. That's not too much in crop loss, either. I'm thinking it's only around 20 bucks in loss......If that's a possibility for you......

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

It's better to use twine and tie the corn stalks to each other to create a path for deer. This is also environmentally friendly and if an animal decides to eat the string...it won't kill them. Also, you won't make a farmer upset and it won't get caught in his corn picker.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

I love hunting corn fields! Many times they will have distinct trails leading from the field into and out of the woods. My biggest problem is finding a suitable tree to put a stand in that will allow me to not only get off the side of the trail but to be able to shoot into the field if the deer follows the field edge and won't use the trail. With the higher price of corn, an ethanol plant only 15 miles away and crop rotation I am expecting a lot of corn in my hunting areas as long as the weather cooperates.:D

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

I'd hunt the inside corner of a standing corn field in a minute (Actually....ANY agricultural field). The deer are going to take the path of least resistance....and this seems like a perfect scenario.

My hunting only allows me to catch them either heading out or coming home from such fields. The deer I hunt are traveling 1/2 to 1 mi. to get to these fields. I would also ONLY hunt this in theevenings until I found out whether or not they were bedding in the corn.......YET (I say 'yet".....because the deer use corn for hideouts a LOT, here).

I've got one spot this year that'll have standing corn......and I'll have a stand there early.....ust to see if they're utilizing this area.This is the only spot I'll be doing pre-season scouting. I'm not familiar with their patterns in this area.

Good luck.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

Thats some great information there guys, thats what im looking for, i will engrave all the tips into my brain :Dand use them accordingly. Thanks again!!

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

I used that method in the past while living in MI. If the corn field butts up to a wooded area it creates a natural funnel for them. They feel comfortable due to escape routes on either side.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

Actually you maybe better off setting up just on the edge of the woods along a corn field. this has been proven to give positive results. I have been doing this for years.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

At least around here, the deer use the cornfields as much for cover and bedding as anywhere else when it is standing. I will hunt the edges at known entry and exit points of the fields while it is standing. Even mature bucks and does feel safe in the standing corn and will get up and move earlier in the evening and later in the morning. I have had pretty good success, but the time to hunt them is usually pretty short as the season starts in late September and the farmers usually pick after just a couple of weeks of season. I clear a lane just about 5 feet wide out 20-25 yards. It's amazing how often they will stop ina lane like that.

It is a corn year here too :D:D:D

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

I have over 1000 acres of just corn I hunt. One of my biggest problems is its bordered bylitterally 1 mile of straight woodline, no funnels or anything except for 1 corner at the end of the field edge which is where I have tried hunting. In that 1 mile stretch its extremely difficuly to pinpoint regular deer travel as it changes day to day whereI would see them go into the corn. I sat on a few stands for almost 4 weeks one year and saw plenty of shooters but they extremely difficuly to get shots at as they mainly walked straight into the corn and rarely walked the edge of thecorn woodlinewhich they seem to know is not the best place to be. They would even trot from the woodline straight into the corn. I used to think it was from hunting pressure but myself and 2 other guys hunted the property and we were all very spread out throught the property. When I move inside the woodline some I see many more deer and have better shot opportunities. Thats just my situation, Im sure this will vary greatly. Love the standing corn, hate the shot opportunities I get.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

Diesel....I wouldn't know where to begin to try and pattern THOSE deer. It just seems to me that the deer here (and we ADMITTEDLY have MUCH smaller acreages of crops) like to travel the field edges when moving from woodlot to woodlot (much like they'll travel a hedgerow). Hence my inside corner suggestion.

You guys hunting vast areas have my respect. Your deer (size) is a nice trade-off, though.;)

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

Early season afternoons have worked best for me. Mainly because the fields are out by the rut, and before the rut-craze gets everything mixed up, I've found that hunting an active food source in the early season afternoons to be a pretty reliable tactic. Great time to hunt on the fly. And the inside, or 'dark' corner as I call it, is a great place to start.

RE: hunting standing corn edges???
 

its good in the morning and evening. make sure you have some shooting lanes