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What spot should I hunt?

Posted By: ALclearcut

What spot should I hunt? - 10/09/17 09:34 PM

I have deer hunted all my life but am somewhat new to bow hunting this early in the season with so many acorns dropping. I am also hunting a brand new small property for the first time Saturday so I have very little knowledge of where the deer are on this place. It is 95% mature pines with thick undergrowth and is surrounded nearby on 3 sides by hardwoods on neighboring properties. The only hardwoods on this place are in a thin SMZ down in a fairly steep creek bottom. I recently planted food plots and logging roads that should have fresh, tender growth by opening day.

With acorns surrounding me, should I hunt the pines/planted logging roads and try to catch one heading back to a bedding area in the morning, or is my best bet to try to find a spot in the few hardwoods I do have? I'm worried the deer are going to totally avoid the pines and food plots with so many acorns nearby. The surrounding property has plenty of hardwoods, but no food plots and not as good of bedding as I have.
Posted By: Turkey_neck

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/09/17 09:43 PM

Find a good trail crossing the smz or a good dropping acorn tree in it and hunt.
Posted By: Atoler

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/10/17 06:40 AM

Find a dropping acorn tree or hunt trails leaving the pines and going into the neighbors hardwoods. In the afternoon, I'd give your fields a shot if you don't find a good acorn tree.
Posted By: tiger1432

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/10/17 11:24 AM

it will be easy to spot trails from neighbors to your bedding area hunt early morning on them as sun comes up they will move in to bedding area
Posted By: GKelly

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/12/17 09:16 AM

The best place would be to find a pile of corn somewhere near a known bedding area whistle seriously though just find some acorns and hunt it
Posted By: Recurve

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/12/17 10:25 AM

Find a clear travel route from the acorns and climb.
Posted By: ALclearcut

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/12/17 12:23 PM

Thanks everyone.
Posted By: CeeHawk37

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/12/17 12:25 PM

Originally Posted By: tiger1432
it will be easy to spot trails from neighbors to your bedding area hunt early morning on them as sun comes up they will move in to bedding area


This is what I would do. I love mature pine stands that have thick underbrush. You can get up high and see down in it. The deer seem to be not as on edge when they move in that thick stuff. May take some time in different spots to pin point the exact trail you need to hunt so stay patient.
Posted By: dirkdaddy

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/12/17 04:38 PM

If it's anything like the pines I hunt, which are mature with a lot of underbrush and sweet gum, your going to have deer bedded down somewhere in there in the mornings. Getting in without spooking them is key. I would only walk in areas I've bush hogged to keep quiet, find a tree close to that SMZ, and have at it. If you start walking through that brush trying to find the ideal tree they will hear you and get outta dodge.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/12/17 05:56 PM

Originally Posted By: Atoler
Find a dropping acorn tree or hunt trails leaving the pines and going into the neighbors hardwoods. In the afternoon, I'd give your fields a shot if you don't find a good acorn tree.


I agree. Id find a few acorn trees in the SMZ, but Id also concentrate on a creek crossing,..a distinguished one that the deer funnel too if possible. Id set up a little on the hills side rather then be in the bottom with the swirling winds. 30 - 45 yards off the creek shooting the trail after it comes out of the bottom a little bit.

Id set up 20 - 30 yards away in a tree where the prevailing winds will blow away from that trail and the hardwoods your watching.

I really only set up 20 - 30 yards from ACTIVE runs to be honest bow hunting.

And I prefer creek crossings or HUBS where 3 -4 trails merge,..especially if the terrain is funnelling them.

I see more bucks CROSSING SMZs then ALONG them by the way..from thicket to thicket.

I also agree that Id set up on the trails coming out of your pines to the hardwoods of your neighbors.

I hunt thickets...thats where your deer are.

Any good buck coming through will also check up just before he steps out into those open hardwoods. They like to stop and look things over before stepping into those open areas.

Id be 15 - 25 yards in that tight cover somewhere. I wouldnt worry about height so much as being hidden and perferably 20-25 yards away with a cut shooting lane to a 10-15 degree view of the trail Im hunting.

Look for the trails that have RUBS on them..not just the first big trail you see. You wont see as many deer as those big trails..but a good buck likes those sneakier trails in a little thicker area IMO.

Look for rubs on your neighbors line also. When he comes out and eats acorns, he will hook a tree or two. Hunt buck sign and trails to shoot bucks I think.

Also, like tiger1432 said, youll catch bucks moving into the thicket just after light that fed their way through your neighbors hardwoods to get there. thumbup

Id set up a couple stands for each scenario as well.

Good luck and tell us what you do, and how you do. thumbup

Posted By: Jpipererp

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/13/17 08:34 AM

Travel routes are the best early season pattern in my opinion. Less pressure for them to veer off the beaten trail. I like to hunt water in the morning and food in the evening. If you can find a good spot between those that will give you good wind, thermals, and concealment you should see more deer
Posted By: Reloader79

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/13/17 01:50 PM

Pour out some korn and climb a tree about 20yds away, this will be a success as long as ole boy don't catch you.
Posted By: ALclearcut

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/13/17 07:42 PM

I'm going to try a spot where there is a saddle in the ridge. I think the deer will use this saddle to cross the ridge as they leave the hardwoods and head to bedding in the morning. It's my best bet to sneak in quietly. I need the wind to cooperate though.
Posted By: Standbanger

Re: What spot should I hunt? - 10/14/17 02:40 PM

Mr. Green Kean sneaky mutha
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