Set-Up Placement

[Deleted]

Well opening day is Saturday & my wife & I are celebrating our anniversary by going on a hunting excursion. We'll spend the weekend hunting the 16000 acre Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area (JEPC).

The park is walk-in hunting. No assigned lots. So we spent the summer scouting the area in the map below & this 175 acre parcel is booming with deer sign. We really haven't had a opportunity to glass the deer from the road because of the standing corn but it is holding deer. This parcel is surrounded by a lake to the North & the West & more AG fields to the South & the East but there are no wood lots to the South or the East. Also, these crops are left standing well into Dec. as deer food. So know worries of it being harvested yet.


We'll be hunting from a blind so set-up is key here. Ill be able to set-up & brush the blind in on Friday morning & leave it up all weekend. Also, no threat of any other hunting pressure on this parcel. But where should I place the blind?

Where would you fellers set-up if you were hunting this parcel?

[dagr8bilster]

I'd try straight in near that finger of woods between the 2 soybean fields. That should give you a shot along the edge of the wooded finger and possibly across the bean field for deer coming out the other side. I'm betting that the timber stand is primary bedding area. Soybeans are the primary deer browse as well as possible bedding areas. If that spot isn't hot then move further in to the corner. It looks like a decent pinch point.

The only problem I see with using a blind is that you're on the ground and scent and motion pose serious issues with deer getting close without you being detected.

[Deleted]

Thats a grass covered path down the middle of those two bean fields. The actual timber doesnt reach but to the end of the CRP to the south west of the map. Ide set up a blind in the grass if it were taller, but its only about 2ft high.

I was thinking of tucking back into the south west corner of the northern bean field & placing a buck decoy out in front of our blind. That way we could draw em in no matter where they come into the north bean field at. Even if they make their approach from the far north of the map out of that timber, at least they'll have an incentive to come our way.

Any thoughts?

[passinthru]

think id be looking at the pennisula that seperates the beans to the corn. That finger seems to be a great spot for a travel area or staging area. Good luck!

[Deleted]

Last time I went out there I saw a ton of deer sign in that general area. That whole peninsula is CRP & is riddled with man-made trails & game trails. There were alot of bedding areas in that peninsula between the corn & the beans. There are also a couple trees right on the south edge of that furthest finger that would make a great spot of a blind set-up. Plus I can use the trees to brush the blind in.


Ok, one more question for ya Passinthru.
Since the beans are turning yellow & brown now, would you try hunting the 12 acre clover patch?
Its hidden pretty well by the tall CRP & I figure it is probably browsed even in the daytime because of its seclusion. Any thoughts?

[passinthru]

Im sure they are using it. Deer love beans. They may be in there during the day but my bet would be the pennisula would produce more action. Now if the rut was on full out that may be a great spot. Id be looking for a nice spot on an inside corner. The bucks love to cut those inside corners. Good luck bro!!!!!!!!!

[Deleted]

Thanks man. Good luck to you too.

[arrowhawk]

Personally for me I dont like setting up right on the edge of a food source due to the chances of spooking something in the dark. I would look for an area that is in some thick stuff or swamp that the deer are moving thru from feeding to bedding. You will see less deer then sitting on the field but you will have shots when you do. Not knowing much about the land its hard to say but the best bet just by the photo would be in that point to the north between the corn and the beans. Deer will be using that corn for cover.

[Deleted]

Thanks Arrowhawk.

Im thinkin that you & Passinthru are on to something there. ;D

The southern most finger of that peninsula is where we've seen the most deer sign this year. There are a few good tree groups that we can brush into there also. Im just hoping that the CRP is short enough to see & shoot through.

Thanks for the advice fellers. We're gonna set up tomorrow morning & be in it by 5:30am Saturday morning. Im also taking the Lil Bucky decoy with us for a little added assurance.

Im thinkin preperation + oppertunity ='s Success. ;D

[Deleted]

Well, we're back from our excursion with no deer down.
But not a wasted weekend at all. We had a blast.
My wife makes a better huntin buddy than all my friends combined.

We did see a ton of deer on this parcel but were never presented a safe shot.
We'll be hunting there again very soon.

Thanks for the advice fellers, you were spot on with your predictions.

[dagr8bilster]

I don't know how many total combined years of hunting expereience that members have access too through this site but I'd be willing to quess its in the thousands...and the bonus about that is that it comes from all over the country rather then just some areas. Good luck...Im jealous as heck...my wife will NOT go with me into the woods EVER. She hates me even bringin home the dead deer. I wish I had a wife like yours who was my hunting buddy. Cherish the times buddy.

[passinthru]

I know the feeling of having your wife hunt with you. Mine is home hunting right now while im out working. It is a nice to have her interested in what i love to do. She is my best hunting partner.