How do you guys pattern big woods flat land deer with no apparent food source? In other words say you got several thousand acres of ground, public ground accessed by foot traffic only. There is no major food source, just acorn trees and natural browse, no food plots, 100% flat ground, no hills at all, and 95% wooded. There are a several growed up areas that have been clearcut in the past 3-5 acres in size, all scattered out. Deer trails everywhere and deer tracks everywhere but no obvious funnels. I see deer everytime I go, but everyday they cross or pass through different than the day before. I have moved my stand location and they never seem to come through in the same place.

I feel this situation may be the hardest to pattern deer and set up on. Any ideas or suggestions for me? Thanks.

Find what they are eating....

if its an oak flat..walk it. find what trees are droppin' acorns at that time and hunt them.

just noticed something... you said "no major food source, just acorn trees"....

Not for sure if you are new to hunting, but acorns are THE food source for deer.

I know but when 90 % of the trees are dropping oaks, and it is one big oak forest, then what?

That many acorns on the ground at once? Thats an easy one....go skating!!!!

And no I'm not new to hunting, just trying to better my odds at a good buck.

Maybe you've never hunted an area like this, it doesnt sound like you have any real answers so I'm guessing not. So, I've heard enough from you on it.

From what you have stated... I am sure that the deer are bedding in the 3/5ac cutovers. Try to find which trails are being used by the bucks. This more times than none will be the less used trails. It won't be the same trails that all the does are walking on.

Play the wind. Don't hunt up wind from the bedding areas.

If have found in situations like this that the least little bit of cover (which may not even look like cover to us) is usually where the deer will travel. They will walk and stop behind ever bush or small briar patch before they make another step...it may take them 30mins to move 100yds, but they have no where to be.

Testy Testy.....

Actually, if you come down to SC you will find something that is really hard to hunt. Thousands of acres of NOTHING but pine trees. Try to pattern a deer then!

Me too. Thats where I do my best, closer to these. But there are very, very many also.

Thanks