Does anyone know what agriculture will be planted on Wheeler and at what time of year? For those that farm, how many rotations do you get in before deer season? For example a month or so before hunting season a few of the fields had corn. Then, two or three weeks into the season it was all cut. If they plant soy or corn in the spring/summer, what can I expect them to plant/what can I expect to be there during hunting season? Knowing nothing about agriculture my guess is that they won’t plant the same plant back to back? It’s hard for me to believe it’s all random, surely there has to be some rotation? What are some other things they will plant besides corn, soy, wheat, or cotton?

Cotton not allowed on wheeler. If it’s corn this year it’ll be beans next year and vice versa unless weather dictates different. Wheeler has some low fields those won’t ever be in wheat. What littl high red ground is on it could be in wheat. I could be more specific on each side of the river because it’s different farmers on each side and rotations vary by farmer

North side of the river. Last year it had corn. This year at the beginning of May they planted something that just started to sprout which I’m guessing is soy. How long will it typically take to grow and around when will they harvest it? When will they cut it back down? I’m doing some scouting now, and though I don’t expect the deer patterns to be the same now as in the winter, or even similar to last year, I think knowing what I can expect in the fields will help me out one way or another.

Yea that’s beans coming up over there. Those will be cut in late October early November.

I wonder if the deer will be hitting the beans or acorns early bow season. I’d like to think beans then acorns.

Thanks for the info. Is it too early to be getting pumped for hunting season?

No. It’s not

I wouldn’t concentrate on the beans for hunting. Usually by then, they are drying up. You can see some good deer at daylight and dark in the beans. Lets you know what is in the area.

No, it's not to early.

I disagree. A little scouting and you can have the best chance at a mature buck you will get all season. THAT ISTHEFIRST 7-10 days.

Saw 3 does in the fields at 6:45.

Most of the beans will be yellow to brown come first week of hunting season, unless it is a very late crop. If planted already, I would plan on them being yellow to brown in most areas. If you can find a corner that stays more shaded, you may be on to something.

There’s one side of this field that stays shaded and the ground really moist. How much cover do beans provide? If fully grown, will deer lay down in a soybean field and be hidden? The area I’m near water so this is low land and the best oaks I’ve seen have been water oaks. Water oaks > red oaks right?

Water oaks are a red oak.

Oh so I was confused. So In the family of bottomland Red oaks you have Pin and water oaks, right?

I can’t believe I’ve never seen a list like this before. It sure does clear up the confusion I had.

I'm looking forward to hopefully hunting Wheeler Refuge once again this year. I haven't hunted there in over 10 years, but am moving back to Decatur in 2-3 months. Look forward to seeing if a few of my old haunts are still holding deer.

Nice, maybe znrichie and I’ll see ya around.