Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
For those that hunt this style of ground, I have some questions.
This is relatively flat ground. Here's an aerial for example.
When accessing the area, would you walk the CRP edges or stay in the woods. Grasses are for the most part shoulder high. I'm guessing stay in the woods. The fields they can see you.
Are deer more likely to enter field or go into woods after getting up from beds?
That leads me to wondering where I should be observing in observation stands. I originally thought to set up on edge of woods observing a large area of CRP fields. Maybe I'm just not in the right spot but not seeing anything yet. Should I be setting up watching inside the woods.
In my picture, up is north, where would you place observation stands, access them (assuming you can park anywhere around the property) and what are you looking at. (I'd assume the fields and edges).
This is relatively flat ground. Here's an aerial for example.
When accessing the area, would you walk the CRP edges or stay in the woods. Grasses are for the most part shoulder high. I'm guessing stay in the woods. The fields they can see you.
Are deer more likely to enter field or go into woods after getting up from beds?
That leads me to wondering where I should be observing in observation stands. I originally thought to set up on edge of woods observing a large area of CRP fields. Maybe I'm just not in the right spot but not seeing anything yet. Should I be setting up watching inside the woods.
In my picture, up is north, where would you place observation stands, access them (assuming you can park anywhere around the property) and what are you looking at. (I'd assume the fields and edges).
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
With a west wind, this is what I'm thinking
Yellow: observation stands,
Red: angle of view
Blue: path to stand
Is this right? If not correct me please.
Yellow: observation stands,
Red: angle of view
Blue: path to stand
Is this right? If not correct me please.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
Anyone? Looking for a little confidence booster before Friday. Still trying to learn the ways.
-
- 500 Club
- Posts: 3982
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2016 1:29 pm
- Location: Sunny Florida
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
What I'd do is go in and start walking the transition zone/edges with a stand on my back. Hit an area with good sign (watch the 2018 and 2019 public land challenge videos) and hunt/observe from there.
The clumps of bushes/trees off the big point straight down from your shortest blue line might be the primary bedding.
The clumps of bushes/trees off the big point straight down from your shortest blue line might be the primary bedding.
- Huntress13
- 500 Club
- Posts: 3110
- Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:47 am
- Location: NY
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
If the grasses are shoulder high, you can go slow and try to stay low so they don't see you. Then set up where there is sign, as Rich mentions.
Twigs in my hair, don't care.
- Dave.Bechtel
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Sat Dec 31, 2016 5:59 am
- Location: SE Wisconsin
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
If the grass is shoulder height, I would creep through it. Stay low and out of sight!
Chase Nation | Reality Hunting TV
-
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Sat Aug 03, 2019 6:38 am
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
If the grass is that tall, you won't be able to see much with an observation sit. I would walk the transition of the trees to the CRP and find sign. There is something about the fence row of trees in the middle that I like.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- greenhorndave
- 500 Club
- Posts: 13849
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:23 am
- Location: SE WI
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
Speaking as someone without a lot of experience, but who had an experience with this two weeks ago, I would say to stay hidden in the woods if possible as you check these transitions. Be on the lookout for any points with bushes on the tip. They often don't show up on an aerial. Expect bedding. One particular buck was bedded in something like this on the eastern edge of a large CRP field on a west wind, bedded bush to back with wind coming over his back. This was in 7-foot tall prairie grass. I came through the CRP edge because the hedgerow was so thick. Not optimal.
And like someone said mentioned, an observation sit with grass that tall is almost fruitless. And forget about spotting them before they spot you. A deer that's maybe 3 feet tall when laying down just ain't visible in 7-foot grass.
If nothing else, if you bump one, make note of the bed location and the how and why of it. And don't forget about trying a bump and dump if he doesn't see or wind you. I thought about it, my gut told me to do it, but my mind overruled it. Guess what? He came back.
And like someone said mentioned, an observation sit with grass that tall is almost fruitless. And forget about spotting them before they spot you. A deer that's maybe 3 feet tall when laying down just ain't visible in 7-foot grass.
If nothing else, if you bump one, make note of the bed location and the how and why of it. And don't forget about trying a bump and dump if he doesn't see or wind you. I thought about it, my gut told me to do it, but my mind overruled it. Guess what? He came back.
----------
Sometimes when things get tough, weird or both, you just need to remember this...
https://youtu.be/d4tSE2w53ts
Sometimes when things get tough, weird or both, you just need to remember this...
https://youtu.be/d4tSE2w53ts
- treeroot
- 500 Club
- Posts: 1200
- Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2017 2:55 pm
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
The 60 acre golden rod/ brush field I hunt is semi similar. I'm no expert but here's what I've learned to do.
Sometimes the bucks bed out by clumps, trees, brush, or slight mounds. But most of the time I've seen them within 60 yards of the treeline edge bedded with the wind blowing from the tree edge into the golden rod. Makes it very hard to sneak along the edge.
I get as high as possible with the wind in my favor and watch an evening or two to figure out their exit trails or a food source out in it they're hitting in daylight. Make a plan from there. They are very hard to see which is why I try to get as elevated as possible. I've gotten better at seeing horizontal lines moving through 6' tall golden rod.
this is one small part of it. Sorry for the bad pictures they are through my binoculars.Sometimes the bucks bed out by clumps, trees, brush, or slight mounds. But most of the time I've seen them within 60 yards of the treeline edge bedded with the wind blowing from the tree edge into the golden rod. Makes it very hard to sneak along the edge.
I get as high as possible with the wind in my favor and watch an evening or two to figure out their exit trails or a food source out in it they're hitting in daylight. Make a plan from there. They are very hard to see which is why I try to get as elevated as possible. I've gotten better at seeing horizontal lines moving through 6' tall golden rod.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
Rich M wrote:What I'd do is go in and start walking the transition zone/edges with a stand on my back. Hit an area with good sign (watch the 2018 and 2019 public land challenge videos) and hunt/observe from there.
The clumps of bushes/trees off the big point straight down from your shortest blue line might be the primary bedding.
I've kind of taken this approach already. Haven't found lots of fresh sign(buck sign anyway). It's new property to me and a new style of hunting so lots of learning.
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
greenhorndave wrote:Speaking as someone without a lot of experience, but who had an experience with this two weeks ago, I would say to stay hidden in the woods if possible as you check these transitions. Be on the lookout for any points with bushes on the tip. They often don't show up on an aerial. Expect bedding. One particular buck was bedded in something like this on the eastern edge of a large CRP field on a west wind, bedded bush to back with wind coming over his back.This was in 7-foot tall prairie grass. I came through the CRP edge because the hedgerow was so thick. Not optimal.
And like someone said mentioned, an observation sit with grass that tall is almost fruitless. And forget about spotting them before they spot you. A deer that's maybe 3 feet tall when laying down just ain't visible in 7-foot grass.
If nothing else, if you bump one, make note of the bed location and the how and why of it. And don't forget about trying a bump and dump if he doesn't see or wind you. I thought about it, my gut told me to do it, but my mind overruled it. Guess what? He came back.
From reading this is what I'm thinking. Haven't bumped or seen one yet beast style so I just need a boost in confidence I'm approaching this right.
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
treeroot wrote:The 60 acre golden rod/ brush field I hunt is semi similar. I'm no expert but here's what I've learned to do. 20191012_160531.jpg this is one small part of it. Sorry for the bad pictures they are through my binoculars.
Sometimes the bucks bed out by clumps, trees, brush, or slight mounds. But most of the time I've seen them within 60 yards of the treeline edge bedded with the wind blowing from the tree edge into the golden rod. Makes it very hard to sneak along the edge.
I get as high as possible with the wind in my favor and watch an evening or two to figure out their exit trails or a food source out in it they're hitting in daylight. Make a plan from there. They are very hard to see which is why I try to get as elevated as possible. I've gotten better at seeing horizontal lines moving through 6' tall golden rod.
20191012_165010.jpg
This is a better description of my type of fields. Goldenrod, stick seed tall grasses mixed brush clumps etc....
Maybe I'm just not catching them move. More experience/time needed to catch the minor details.
Food sources are what I need to figure out. No white oaks that I found dropping this year. Not sure of browse in CRP fields or woods besides acorns.
I guess until I figure that part out, I won't know if they go to the woods or to the fields.
- seuss79
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:05 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
Thanks for all the replies so far. It really helps boost my confidence hearing your comments. I hope to see something this weekend. Off work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plan on some serious time in the woods.
Keep the comments and experiences coming.
Keep the comments and experiences coming.
- greenhorndave
- 500 Club
- Posts: 13849
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:23 am
- Location: SE WI
- Status: Offline
Re: Wooded/CRP access and observation advice wanted
seuss79 wrote:Thanks for all the replies so far. It really helps boost my confidence hearing your comments. I hope to see something this weekend. Off work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plan on some serious time in the woods.
Keep the comments and experiences coming.
Yeah, sounds like we're ascending similar learning curves and I'll be out same as you. Good questionsbby the way.
Good luck!
----------
Sometimes when things get tough, weird or both, you just need to remember this...
https://youtu.be/d4tSE2w53ts
Sometimes when things get tough, weird or both, you just need to remember this...
https://youtu.be/d4tSE2w53ts
-
- Advertisement
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 74 guests