Hunting deer in corn fields

[skuba steve]

Hey guys our hunting property has corn up this year, and it's quite tall. Over 10 feet in most spots. Our cameras have not shown much action. We have some on the outside corn edge and some inside the bush right next to the cornfields. We're convinced the deer are living in the corn or spending most of their time in there. We spooked a nice 5x4 this afternoon that was in the corn, the same one we have one pic of from a few weeks ago on a cam inside the bush. Just wondering what everyone's early season strategies are for deer in freestanding corn ? Set up tree stands on the corn edge looking in to some pockets ? Or concentrate in the bush ? We found a couple spots today in the corn where clearly the deer had smashed down some areas, but I'm unsure of where to go opening day, or until the corn comes down..
Thanks

[pbonura]

Last year I had one property and they corn came down the following spring. I did not hunt they property due the fact that all the good trails that they deer travel are on the neighbours property. They only way is hunting field edges or trails going to the corn fields. They feed and use it for cover and I had no luck on that property. Good luck. Beans are way easier and come down late fall.

[buckluck_9pt]

well, we have a simular situation and honestly, scout like crazy.. i find, especially to new properties or properties who have changed their plot, scout after a heavy rainfall.. this will leave the edge of the field/bush edge and inside bush area sopping wet and muddy which will not only show the trails and tracks better, but you will also know that whatever tracks/sign you see will be fresh.. true most of the deer will live in the corn, but they have to travel.. likely mostly at night.. find the core areas where they travel along the corn edges and/or from corn into and out of the bush.. we did this in our new bush, turning out very well.. found about 9 enter/exit areas and heavy traffic area's around the corn.. set up cameras and they are showing good sign..

[skuba steve]

Hmm thanks for tips. So is it safe to assume while the corn is up, concentrate my efforts on corn edges, and when the corn comes down it's a whole new ball game?

[fratri]

Yes I would concentrate on the edge between field and bush.... Deer just love (when undisturbed) walking/feeding along the edge of the corn and bush. That one or two yards (between corn and bush) is an easy walking path for deer and they can easily step into cover quickly.
I have had great luck still hunting the edge. I usually step into the first or second row of corn (helps conceal me) and slowly make my way around the farm paying close attention to the wind. Most evening or early morning walks (still hunts) usually results in some kind of excitement...

Hmm thanks for tips. So is it safe to assume while the corn is up, concentrate my efforts on corn edges, and when the corn comes down it's a whole new ball game?

[klums]

If I hunt the corn field I like a higher stand, I find the bigger deer will often walk inside the corn within the first 3 rows, they generally don't like to be out in the open where as does and young deer don't seem to be bothered as much by walking between the field and bush.

[Marker]

You have a good problem to have! One of my locations is next to a corn field, the deer filter through a swamp and don't make many beaten down paths. Early October I set up between the swamp and corn and have had success doing that 2pm to dusk. If you can find out when the corn is coming down be sure to be hunting that day.

Good Luck.

[the carving guy]

i love this post. it reminds me of hunting with a pal in the old days and takeing
all the hints and things from tv shows. my old ffriend and i was walking along a
big corn field and there was an area that was tore up with tracks and even some
cobs with nibbles on them,,i asked pops if we should set up a ladder stand there
and he killed me with his answer,,deer dont eat the corn they just hide out there.
so i said pops ( why do they say the fraze- corn fed deer) and after the harvest
why is all the tracts in the field. he was stuburn on the fact so i let it drop,,lol good one

[punkrockerpj]

last year i tried that game with no avail. i did notice a ton of deer first thing in the morning when the sun hasn't come up yet but it's bright enough to see. best luck to you, hide near intersections and fencerows and if you can co-ordinate it with the farmer, when he and the neighbouring farmers cut their corn, get there before sun up and wait for the cut. you might see them freaking out left, right and centre when the corn goes down.

[fishing1]

If the corn is all knocked down it is from racoons not deer. Deer will eat right off the cob and only when it is hard.