Searching out the deer that have survived the winter and off-season can be one of the most exciting times of the year. Finding a target deer, doing your homework, and placing yourself in its core area can be a huge challenge - it's also an absolute rush!
Identifying Key Areas - Find The Food
For many hunters, the early season is one of the most exciting times of the year to pursue whitetail deer. However, identifying key areas for hunting during this time can be a challenge. With the right scouting strategies and a little bit of timeliness, hunters can increase their chances of success. One important strategy is to focus on food sources such as agricultural fields or mast-producing trees. Early season deer are primarily concerned with feeding and will often stay close to these areas. When the weather is hot, some bucks may only be moving 100 yards or less between bedding and food.
Another strategy is to locate travel corridors between feeding and bedding areas. These routes are essential for deer to move comfortably and undetected. By devoting time to scouting before the season, hunters can find the most productive areas and increase their chances of bagging the buck their after. Many a nice buck has been found in a summer beanfield before dusk. After knowing where the buck likes to enter the field, some quick research on the OnX Hunt app can usually narrow down his bedding area.
Understanding Whitetail Deer Movement During Early Season
Understanding the patterns of whitetail deer movement during this time can be the key to a successful hunt. We all know that typically, whitetail deer move earlier in the morning and later in the evening, with midday hours being relatively inactive. There are several factors that influence their movement at this time, but two of the biggest are food sources and weather conditions. In terms of location, whitetail deer tend to stay close to their primary food sources during early season, such as agricultural fields or acorn-bearing trees. By keeping these factors in mind, hunters can better predict when, why, and where whitetail deer are likely to move during early season. Don't overthink it here. Hot weather whitetails need food, water, and shady cover. They can be somewhat easy to pattern while traveling back and forth to these places at first and last light. Observe their pattern and know where to plan your ambush.
What do Whitetail Deer Eat in the Early Season
Early season is a critical time for whitetail deer, and analyzing their diet during this time can provide valuable insight to hunters. Whitetail deer tend to be more selective about their food choices during this period, often favoring easily digestible foods like fruits and tender shoots. Their diet may also include acorns, corn, and beans. As the season progresses, their diet changes accordingly. It is crucial to know which food sources are most likely to attract deer during this time. Exploring natural food sources and agricultural fields allows us to better understand deer behavior and preferences. From feeding on acorns and berries to grazing on crops like soybeans and corn, it's fascinating to observe the different food types that deer are drawn to. I recently killed an early season buck that had been frequenting a freshly bush-hogged pasture all summer. There was just something they preferred about the tender shoots and grasses that were coming up. By the way, there is a 100 acre soybean field half a mile away, yet during this early season they were browsing heavily on these native grasses. Just 2-3 weeks later and these same deer would likely be on a heavy white-oak acorn diet.
Utilizing Feeding, Bedding, and Traveling Habits of Deer to Your Advantage
By paying attention to their feeding, bedding, and traveling habits, you can tailor your hunting strategies to increase your chances of success. For example, if you notice that deer tend to feed in a certain area during the early morning hours, you can plan to set up your stand or blind nearby for an early morning hunt. Alternatively, if you know where deer typically bed down during the day, you can set up on a travel route leading to that area for an evening hunt. Don't just know the area, but pick the exact tree. I don't know how many times I've found a great area, one that I just know would be a perfect ambush site for a mature whitetail, but there isn't a usable tree nearby. Don't just scout the area, but find the micro area and exact spot to hang your tree stand where you think a buck can be harvested from.
Assessing Hunting Pressure on Bucks During Early Season - understanding the impact of hunting pressure on deer movements
During early hunting season, understanding the impact of hunting pressure on deer movements is crucial. The pressure that hunting puts on bucks can have a significant impact on their behavior and movements, often leading them to become more secretive and elusive. The goal of early season scouting should be to find the perfect ambush site to kill your target buck on the first sit. Your chances of seeing that buck during shooting hours drastically decreases with every unsuccessful sit. The pressure of you walking in and out, leaving scent, hanging stands and making noise, all decrease your chances. Keep pressure to a minimum. Scout effectively, move in swiftly when the timing is right.
Identifying key areas for early season deer is paramount to success when scouting for whitetails. By understanding why, where, and when deer move during the early season you can begin to narrow down your search from larger timber tracts and vast agricultural fields, into micro areas with more concentrated populations of deer. Above all else, execute a strategy that puts you ahead of the game this upcoming year while scouting for early season whitetails.
What other strategies do you use to pinpoint early season whitetails?
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