Seif5034

My wife and I are starting our lives together and just moved into a house with a couple acres of woods that butt up to >500 acres of a hunting club (woods/food plots/bedding/water scources). i've set out mineral licks and get decent activity based upon tracks. but come crunch time I need to know how you would play it.

I'm thinking that hunting the Rut would be my best bet. Get into some grunting and rattling and scent probably? I haven't seen any sort of buck sign on my property. I suspect a couple does and a set of fawns.

How would you play it?

superstrutter

With only two acres, I would put up a feeder and(or) plant something to try and keep a few does coming year round. If the does will frequent the food source, a buck or two just may eventually come by. I'm not going to lie, your odds aren't too good with such little acerage, but you never know.

FlDeerman

During the rut,try Tinks rut smoke scents.The smoke goes a long way.

timbercruiser

I would try to join the club.

FlDeerman

And then there's that.Good answer Timber.

kevin1

Deer are creatures of edges, make your edge more appealing than the woods full of hunt clubbers.

Bernie P.

I don't think rattling would be a good idea as that would get the attention of the club members as well.Also I would check the regs as regards feeding/licks go.Any time you can get in the woods is the right time.

crokit

While 500 acres is a pretty sizable piece of land, without a doubt the club next door HAS to produce pressure, resulting in deer looking for safe haven. Unless the property is surrounded by a high fence, or yours is void of any favorable cover,there is likely a spot on your property showing sign of deer coming from there.

I would use the club to your advantage.

P.S. Hunting the rut is NEVER a bad thing!

Seif5034

thanks for your suggestions guys! I think I've got a plan formulating.

bugsNbows

Make your place their sanctuary. Attract the does with food and shelter and the bucks will follow.