How do I attract deer to my new hunting spot?

Question

I recently moved into a new house that is surrounded by woods and I found two good trails and spots with plenty of signs of deer. I want to setup up tree stands for next year's bow hunting season but I don't want to mess around with these spots too much now because I don't want leave my scent around there and spook the deer. The spots I found are both under oak trees. I have noticed deer droppings, buck rub on some trees, and tracks. I laid down two bags of corn already. I was thinking about purchasing some Deer Cane to attract them. Will my scent from walking through there keep the deer away from now on? I need some help on how I should go about finding a perfect spot to put up a tree stand, what to look for and anything that will help. I am pretty new to bow hunting.
Thanks

Answer 1

deer cane will work...deer love it...but keep feed'n them corn...sweet corn if you can...i've seen deer walk through a whole field of "field corn" to get to the sweet corn!! As far as your tree stand, pick somewhere away from your "feeding" spot, but where you can get a good shot. And a place that will be down wind from the deer...(i know theres no judging the wind)...cover sents work good and maybe try some doe pee or buck in rut sent. salt blocks will lure deer to your spot also. you could also put your hunting clothes in a trash bag with some pine branches (needles and small branches) to mask your sent. here are some sites that might help you out:

http://home.adelphia.net/~geffert/huntips.htm

http://www.lakeontario-cottage.com/deer_hunting_tips.htm

Answer 2

Do all the scouting you can from now till hunting time. Use scent killer before you go into the woods. If it is legal to feed the deer where you live then you must keep it going all winter. Put up some trail cameras. Do not put your stands up just yet deer change their habits throughout the seasons so you might just be waisting your time. Get a climber and put it in the first day you go hunting. You can pick some spots you will assume deer will be traveling and cut only the necessary branches out of your way now so you do not have to disturb it too much come hunting time, and then pick which one shows the most sign around it to hunt in. And don't hunt one stand too often. Make sure you have enough locations to pick from so that you can hunt with any wind direction. Where gloves when walking through the woods at all times because your hands have oils on the that will get left behind on everything you touch. Been hunting for over 20 years and have learned allot and still am learning. And use more than just corn, like apples and some other grains. I suggest reading magazines for every tip you can get. They offer allot of tips and strategies, and some of the best information you can get. I could go on forever. Welcome fellow bow hunter!
And for the people that are saying that it does'nt matter about your scent now because it will be gone by next season you better think again. Mature deer will change their routes if they continue to smell danger. If you don't believe me pick a spot on your property to walk around in and leave another spot almost untouched and when you do go into that area that is less touched make sure you use scent killer and I garuntee the deer will start to move to that part of the woods.
P.S.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Deer Cane will definitely work. I used it once and the deer dug a huge hole in the ground where it had been trying to get more of it within just a few days of me putting it out. You can also obviously use corn, and you could plant some bio-logic or something of that sort, too. You could use mineral blocks, salt licks, apple licks, feeders.. the list goes on and on. Pretty much all of them work, though, if there are deer anywhere around (which they obviously are because you found rubs, tracks, and droppings). As far as your scent getting out there, that's really not that big of an issue. It isn't going to be heavy enough to spook them, especially by the time next year's season rolls around. For finding a spot to put a stand, typically you want to look for a good sturdy tree with as far limbs as possible, overlooking either woods or a field.. preferably very close to where you're feeding.. Good luck, have fun hunting.. and always be safe.

Answer 4

It first dsepends on whether it is legal to bait deer in your state, Some states allow it but many don't. If it is legal in your state, then yes, you can use corn from your garden to attract deer. Howeverr, they seem to prefer hard corn to roasting ears. Besides, roasting ears will only last a day or so before going bad. If you are growing hard corn, just shuck it out and sprinkle it on the ground where you want the deer to come or put it into a feeder. You can also bury a block of salt about 6 inches under the soil and sprinkle some ice cream salt on top. They will come to that,also. Just be sure you are legal before trying any of these techniques.

Answer 5

Will your area be open to public hunting? If so then need to take into consideration that all of your work might be in vain if the area will be frequented by numerous others.

If that is a non issue then your off to a good start. I have enjoyed bow hunting for numerous years. And one common denominator that successful hunters have is they all spend a lot of time scouting during the off season.

Wait and place your stands during the late summer months. Or say a month before opening day. Place it/them about 15-20 yards off the trails leading to and from their feeding and bedding areas. You may have to trim some branch’ to give you good shooting lanes. Small folding wood saw will work.

Another thing to consider with the placements is how easy will it be to get to them?
Certainly a shorter walk is the best. Less noise, etc.

After placement make sure you climb into and out of them a couple of times. Confirm you can easily draw your bow-the shooting lanes are still clear.

Then of course limit your activities until the season starts.

Answer 6

you should try to stay off their paths but if you do walk near or in them then you should wear a scent cover .. and also wear rubber boots which help keep your scent down.. if baiting is legal where you are.. i would use the deer cane.. you can also think about a salt lick or where i live i used sweet potatoes.. and as far as where you put your stand .. put it near where you put your bait.. or put it where a number of different paths intersect or where you find rubs and scrapes.. but dont sit right on top of the trails or rubs.. sit off them a little because deer will notice you there.. so look for some good cover.. you can also put your stand near a tree droppin acorns.. deer like those.

Answer 7

well, in my opinion, you can't really attract deer to an area. They have to already be frequenting the area. What you need to do is to hang your stands in likely spots, overlooking the trails. Then get up there and observe. Even if it isn't hunting season, you can get up there with a good pair of binos, and just wait and watch. Then, you can move your stands accordingly to get the most frequently used trails into bow range. It's ok to put the stands up now, but you need to go back and check on them before the season begins. I have put stands out in the spring before, only to find the whole place overgrown and too thick to even bowhunt by the time opening day came around. Just make sure you keep the trails open to give some good shots.

Answer 8

now is the time to go in for next year this will spook the deer now but they will return for next year, most areas baiting is illegal during the season but out of season planting small food plots such as clover is a good idea and usually aren't considered baiting. trail cams are also a good idea to see what you have a not disturb the area too much, place on trails or near bait piles. learn the travel routes onto your property the deer are using stay away from bedding areas, set stands on travel routes in areas of natural contours to keep deer in range also you can force them by blocking trails, or lowering a piece of fence line if possible, to make it easier for deer to cross. deer will take the path of least Resistance like humans

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry about scent to much as long as you feed them they have no fear. one morning i put some corn and apples out at my stand and i had 4 of my buddies and a dog with me and by the next morning the deer cleaned the bait and i dropped another bucket out and sat down for 15 min. i ended up shootn the biggest buck of my life.

Answer 10

It depends on the State in which you live. Here in Texas feeding deer is legal. People usually put out a corn feeder in late spring. Once they get used to coming to corn they are hard to scare off.