So this year I have started to scout more “hill country” on the public I hunt in SW MI. Not really sure why....I feel like for a few different reasons. The larger swamps in my area have seemed to get more pressure the last few years. The large ones in the area I hunt are nothing compared to the big swamps I see people hunting. The largest are probably 500-600 yrds wide and .5-1 mile long. Most are much smaller than that in the 10-30 acre range. I have always hunted swamps on public. My motto has been if my boots aren't wet then I am in the wrong spot. I am no big buck expert but I want to branch out and hunt different terrain. It all seems very new since I have never focused on this terrain
The hills in this area are at the most 200-300 feet elevation and more rolling than steep. Most have hiking/horse/2 tracks through them....can’t get much more than 1/2 mile off the road but I am still finding less hunter sign. It has been really exciting scouting this this terrain. I have been finding bedding on smaller, brushy points coming off main ridges. Spending time figuring out how bucks travel from their bedding to food. No Ag in this area so really scouting browse areas and patches of white oaks. Also have been taking more note of the doe bedding areas I find and how the terrain between them could funnel a buck during the rut. Leeward ridge cruising has started to really make sense to me.
What was really awesome was scouting an area I have killed a couple 2 1/2 y/o bucks in the past before I knew how mature deer would likely use the area. Going back and rescouting showed me I probably was 100 yrds off and on the opposite side of the ridge from where the real action was at. It has really opened my eyes to how much I have been missing. Have been watching the Hill Country Bedding DVD and it has been spot on with my scouting. Don’t get me wrong....I will still be hunting good bedding in the swamps I know but I think I am really going to focus on learning and hunting these hills. Time and cameras will tell if there are some mature bucks to get after in these high pressure areas.
Long winded post but I am just really excited for something different. I still have a lot to learn, so for the guys that really get after it in the hills.....what is something you do that you feel really helps up the odds of success?
Heading for the hills
-
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:12 pm
- Status: Offline
- Dewey
- Moderator
- Posts: 36751
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:57 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
- Status: Offline
Re: Heading for the hills
I had a lot of these same questions the first time I hunted hill country so started this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34788
Lot’s of good tidbits of info there along with a little bit of comedy hour.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34788
Lot’s of good tidbits of info there along with a little bit of comedy hour.
-
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:12 pm
- Status: Offline
Re: Heading for the hills
Dewey wrote:I had a lot of these same questions the first time I hunted hill country so started this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34788
Lot’s of good tidbits of info there along with a little bit of comedy hour.
Thanks!!
-
- Advertisement
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests