Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
08-31-2003, 05:39 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: des moines ia USA
Posts: 102
Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
I did some scouting last night on a Wildlife Mangement Area. I sat in my stand in the woods from 3pm to 7pm and did not see a thing. Then I realized that the deer were probably out in the fields eating. I got out of my stand and headed to the grassy fields around 7:15pm and sure enough, there they were. I spotted 13 deer and of those deer 8 were nice, mature looking bucks. The early muzzleloader season opens in 6 weeks here and I was wondering if it would be safe to assume the deer will still be using this field in 6 weeks vs. feeding off of acorns in the woods? When do they make the change from feeding in the fields to feeding off of the forest floor? Keep in mind that this is in Iowa and there are many agricultural fields that have not been harvest yet. Let me know what everyone thinks.
08-31-2003, 08:23 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 385
RE: Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
I think once the acorns start to fall they will feed on them.
Pressure will push them from the field.
They will still use the field but after darkness falls.
I' d hunt the acorns closest to the fields.
They may feed there until it gets dark and head to the field.
Pressure will push them from the field.
They will still use the field but after darkness falls.
I' d hunt the acorns closest to the fields.
They may feed there until it gets dark and head to the field.
08-31-2003, 08:51 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: des moines ia USA
Posts: 102
RE: Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
Mailman29680,
Dumb questions, but when do the acorns typically begin to fall? Is it right before the beginning of fall, right now, when?
Dumb questions, but when do the acorns typically begin to fall? Is it right before the beginning of fall, right now, when?
09-01-2003, 07:54 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: East Yapank NY USA
Posts: 3,457
RE: Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
Bucks in bachelor herds act a whole lot different than bucks with bone. When the test level ups in a few weeks - they will change their patterns and become more seclusive.
There is a chance you may catch one of them in that field on your opener - but do not let their summer pattern trick you
.
They may still feed in that field - just at night
There is a chance you may catch one of them in that field on your opener - but do not let their summer pattern trick you
.They may still feed in that field - just at night
09-01-2003, 08:46 AM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 406
RE: Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
I agree with the other two. I think once the acorns start dropping - hunt them.
Another option is try to find the trails where the bucks are entering the field and then go back in 100-200 yards and try to catch the bucks right before dark. Typically they will hang out until dark before entering the field. Hunting pressure can change this though.
Another option is try to find the trails where the bucks are entering the field and then go back in 100-200 yards and try to catch the bucks right before dark. Typically they will hang out until dark before entering the field. Hunting pressure can change this though.
09-01-2003, 10:38 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 385
RE: Deer feeding in the fields vs. deer feeding in the woods
It seems every year the acorns drop differently(times).
The small acorns (pin oaks?) are dropping here now and are usually first in GA also.
The red oaks usually fall next.
When the whites fall,deer will leave the others to eat them.
I remember where all the oaks are in my hunting grounds.
I' ll make a quick pass every week or so during the season and see if they are dropping.
You will see and hear them.
Deer traffic will pick up also in that area.
Also,
hunt the field till you don' t see deer there anymore during the daylight and that is a good indication that they are at another food source(probably acorns)if they are available.
The small acorns (pin oaks?) are dropping here now and are usually first in GA also.
The red oaks usually fall next.
When the whites fall,deer will leave the others to eat them.
I remember where all the oaks are in my hunting grounds.
I' ll make a quick pass every week or so during the season and see if they are dropping.
You will see and hear them.
Deer traffic will pick up also in that area.
Also,
hunt the field till you don' t see deer there anymore during the daylight and that is a good indication that they are at another food source(probably acorns)if they are available.
