Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: McDonough, GA
Posts: 754
Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
Suppose in IL you've got a farm that's been harvested 5 weeks ago and it was largely corn and soybeans. The fields are not turned under, but just cut. How long will the deer keep coming to the cut fields? Also, if there are limited acorns, what type of browse might they beeating in the woods. West Central IL is where I'll be. Any opinions?
#2
RE: Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
They'llkeep coming to the fields until either everything has been eaten or the fields are turned under. If there are fresh acorns in the woods still, they'll be on those first however.
#3
RE: Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
They will also continue to browse on grasses and leaves throughout the woods.
You are going to find very soon however that the bucks are not interested in eating anymore!
You are going to find very soon however that the bucks are not interested in eating anymore!
#4
RE: Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
ORIGINAL: burbaust99
They'llkeep coming to the fields until either everything has been eaten or the fields are turned under. If there are fresh acorns in the woods still, they'll be on those first however.
They'llkeep coming to the fields until either everything has been eaten or the fields are turned under. If there are fresh acorns in the woods still, they'll be on those first however.
#5
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: McDonough, GA
Posts: 754
RE: Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
I'm sure that rutting activity will be a factor for the bucks, but you know what they say this time of year, find the does and the bucks will be there. I'm just curious where they might be if the cut fields were not attactive to them. As much corn as there is in IL, I'm sure they can't eat all the combine left behind but who knows, maybe they can.
I'm headed up to hunt on Friday for a week. Thanks for your input.
I'm headed up to hunt on Friday for a week. Thanks for your input.
#6
RE: Crop harvest and Deer Usage in IL
ORIGINAL: IL_BOW_MAN
That is not always the case. Where I hunt, there are a few acorns around and the deer continue on the corn all winter long. I rarely see deer eating the acorns.
ORIGINAL: burbaust99
They'llkeep coming to the fields until either everything has been eaten or the fields are turned under. If there are fresh acorns in the woods still, they'll be on those first however.
They'llkeep coming to the fields until either everything has been eaten or the fields are turned under. If there are fresh acorns in the woods still, they'll be on those first however.
But anyway you look at it, corn is a great food source to hunt as it is easy to find and usually will allow for multiple setup techniques.