Where are the deer going?
 

I have been hunting this farm now for the past 2 years and have seen some awesome bucks. One eight-pointer taken from the farm last year had a 22_1/2 inside spread! This year, the farmer decided not to plant crops on my side of the farm. They are still coming through, but I never see them. The trails are there, and there is evidence of another huge buck, but I haven' t seen a single deer in the morning or evening. Amazingly, the other day I happened to see two does bedded during mid day on the edge of an unplanted crop field. I tried stalking up on them, but they ran off. I am getting frustrated, if someone has any kind of help or suggestions, please tell me. I would like to bag a deer this year!:)

RE: Where are the deer going?
 

Got to get you a trail camera. It will unravel the puzzle for you real quick.
Sounds to me like the deer are moving through at night or you could be spooking them in the mornings going to your stand.

RE: Where are the deer going?
 

Would some doe estrus bring that big boy buck out during the day you think?

RE: Where are the deer going?
 

Well the doe in estrus is not going to " pull" the buck out, if the portion of property that is planted is corn the deer may be bedding right in the corn. When you say they are coming through do you mean the field or the woods leading to the field? If their bedding area is over on your side you need to find how they are getting to the crops, more than likely there is some sort of route they are taking taht provides them cover, a smart buck rarely will cross a field out in the open with the sun up. When the rut is on will be your best chance at catching this buck during legal hours, if you find the does during the rut, wait, the buck will come.

RE: Where are the deer going?
 

The deer trails have led from this small thicket out onto the field which leads to the crop field(which i can' t hunt). All of the bucks major rubs are found along a fence row just after a CRP field and before the unplanted field.

RE: Where are the deer going?
 

bowhunter, i think tazman said it right. if you find the does your going to find the big boy. if they are bedding near you, set up downwind and try some rattling you might be able to pull off his bed. i' ve had your problem on a piece of property a few years ago. and rattled my buck up. it works some times!

RE: Where are the deer going?
 

Thanks for the advice, I' ll try to rattle some and see if i can' t get his attention. Thanks again.