Asking for a little help: Should I stay or should I go?

T

TonyMo

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
59   0   0
Location
Ontario
Greetings,
Just looking for your insight.
So, here in southern Ontario the bow hunting season for deer is until the end of December. The weather here has been rather mild. We have only had a few days that the temps have been below zero overnight. I am hunting typical Ontario farm country; cut corn/bean fields dotted with mixed bush. My current blind is in a pine forest on the edge of a field with a pond about 30 yards away. There are tracks in the mud around the pond. I put out a 5 gallon pail of corn and 5 gallon pail of apples a little over 2 weeks ago. The apples are mostly gone but the corn has not been touched. . I have been out only about 10 times so far. I have not SEEN a deer at all from my blind; in range or otherwise.

So today I went for a walk to check for sign. I walked the bush lots and field edges. There are tracks along the field edges. The bush lot behind me I found a large tree scrape that appears fresh about 6ft in length. This is about 200yrds across a cut corn field from my current blind.

So guys, should I stay where I am or move closer/into the bush lot with the scrape? Is 200 yards worth the move? What would you do?
Thanks.

ffXs9xB.jpg



mJ6kawv.jpg
 
That is sure a massive scrape for a deer. Never saw one that big in sask made by deer. Elk or moose maybe. If you get him call it the chainsaw buck.
 
I think the only deer you are going to see from your blind are the ones crossing the road .I would move over to the corner of the bush if the wind will let you get to that spot with out scaring every deer in the woods .this may be your problem now ..the wind ....Dutch
 
That is not a antler rub from a deer.... The key to hunting deer is keep it secret from the deer that they are being hunting for as long as possible. You have to hunt them where they are going to be, not where they are.

The keys to late season hunting is food, cold weather and low hunting pressure to the deer you are hunting.
Kind of a tall order as we just finished with the 2nd shotgun season here in S. Ontario and the weather is forecast to be unusually mild.

If it were me I'd skip a hunt or 2 and just watch the cut corn fields for a few evenings. Mornings will likely be a bust at this time of year as most of the deer will have already bed down for the day. If you find a spot the deer are coming out to in the evening to feed, that will likely be you best opportunity. Try to set up between where you think they bed and the field they are eating in. Stay back away for the edge about 100yrds or so, so they make it to your stand for a shot before dark.

Pray for cold weather.....the colder the better as that usually will get them on their feet earlier in the afternoons. It's a hard hunt for late season deer in S.Ont. But if you get 1) a good source, 2)low pressured deer 3) cold temps to get them up to feed, it can be awesome hunt as you can see a ton of deer if you're in the right spot.

Good luck! Again that is not a horn rub from any deer in S. Ontario ignore that as deer sign.
 
Thanks guys. Ya, I was surprised at that tree RUB (my bad) too. As suggested I guess I should get a trail cam on it. Forecast here says no temps below zero all week and +10 by next Saturday...golf courses are still open.
 
How long have you been baiting there? Do you have a trail cam? The trail cam will help you in starting a spot.

It is seriously a bit late to start baiting but it may help. I usually start my baiting in the spring by putting out a salt block and keeping it replenished until I start throwing out apples in early September.

Your current site in front of the pond is on the wrong side of prevailing winds (that is if the top of the aerial photo is North). That site might be good to keep for when the winds are East or South East.

What way are you entering and exiting the area? What fields do you have permission to hunt?

You need to scout an area really early in the season to figure out where the deer are bedding and feeding. Good thing is that if this season doesn't work out you can continue to hunt this winter by scouting in the snow. Find out where they bed down and their travel corridors. After you get that done you can make an informed decision on where you want to get your stand next spring / summer. As the others have stated get it on their travel corridor from bed to feed. That will get you started at a site, keep a close eye on the deer travel corridors next fall as the crops come off the fields, I dont hunt farm country but I am sure that changes deer behavior.

Really there is a book to be written here ... I dont want to tell you what you already know. But I will answer your question, yes you should move your sight to where prevailing winds will be at your advantage, continue to hunt over your current bait when the wind is in your favor. But right now you need to do the least amount of disturbance possible. Pick a spot mid day, cut a shooting lane(s), hang a stand, and GTFO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom