Ways to attract deer to a certain spot months before the season?

[Debunk Brady]

I want to get deer coming to a certain spot months before the season. The reason is because I have a farm to hunt on, which has one very excellent spot, but someone using a muzzleloader may shoot a deer there the week before I hunt, thereby spooking all the deer away.

I have picked a spot where two deer trails cross. I know that should be good enough, but if there is any way to start making the deer use those trails more frequently, that would increase my odds.

I have poored non-iodized salt on several logs. I have also contemplated corn, but I can't visit the spot frequently enough to make that worth while. Are there any other tricks?

 

[Sistema1927]

Well,

I knew a guy who placed a salt lick about 1/4 mile from his porch, and then moved it in closer week by week. On opening day it was 50 yards from his favorite seat.

Not my type of hunting, and might not have been legal (this was 30 years ago, so hard to tell), but it put venison in his freezer.

 

[redneck2]

Before you do this, you'd best check your state laws. For example, you can use food for bait in Michigan, but it's illegal in Indiana unless it's removed before season. You can have a corn field that's naturally grown, but you can't get caught putting out extra corn for bait.

Easiest way that's legal (here) is to plant a food plot with alfalfa, etc. Too late this year to do it though.

Guys I knew in Michigan used to put out potato peelings that had been soaked in salt brine. Deer would pass up anything else to get to them.

 

[mod700]

like redneck2 said you need to stay legal, but mineral blocks and salt blocks are a good idea. you can also use jugs of liquid supplements that will supposedly soak into the ground and create a wallow wherever you put it. i put some out a few weeks ago. good luck.

 

[Triple S]

Keep in mind that deer patterns change through out the year. There are other important reasons, but diet is a BIG reason on why deer have different patterns through out the year. One major thing that you can do to keep deer on your property that doesn't cost a thing, is to keep human prescence to an absolute minimum. Deer like secluded places where they don't get harrassed. However, one neat trick I have done with good measure is to fertalize the natural feed during the off times of the year. Then when the "mast" is ready, it will be in plentiful supply. This can be as simple as sprinkling fertilizer around a few oaks you like to hunt. Also, one of the best food plots is to simply mow and fertilize the natural weeds/briers/grasses. You don't have to spend tons of money, just be creative and use what you got! In most cases, it is not "baiting", so the state should allow you to do these things, if you have control over your hunting area. However, the simple idea of fertilizing the natural trees around your stand can be done on public land as well. Who will know but you and the deer?????

 

[Phelptwan]

Acorns

 

[gbran]

Salt licks. I'm very fortunate to be able to hunt an area where cattle graze way up in the mountains. There are springs, water troughs and salt licks all over this area. It gives me a pretty good place to hunt everything from deer, bear, bobcats, quail, varmints and even turkey.

These animals like easy sources of water, salt and grass. I know the property owner, else I probably wouldn't be able to hunt the area.

 

[bearmgc]

Empty your bladder there, I'm not kidding.

 

[MCgunner]

This is how we do it in Texas. Got a new timer the other day I need to install.

 

[ArmedBear]

Some states have laws about removing an attractant X weeks BEFORE the season. In others, it seems people plant food plots and just go and collect the deer.

 

[sm]

Down on the farms, ranches and such, we toss out the latest catalog of John Deere Tractors, JD Combines, Ford Tractors, brochures of various Gas, Diesel fuel , old farm/ranch trucks and all.

We figure the Deer and critters would like to know what all is going on with new stuff ...

Deer and other critters seem to accept all theses sights, sounds and smells.
Seems some of the new Diesel Pickup Trucks "rattle" too much.

Now the old Chevy and Ford Trucks, running on gas, and sorta have "character" with over 100K or even 200k miles seems to attract Deer better.

I mean like getting downright nosy and in the way. 20 steps, one shot with a single shot 20 ga shotgun, using a slug, so she could finish messing with the pump on the reservoir.

Folks down here, do not do camo, put out feeders, use scents.
Just sit on a stump, drink coffee (deer and critters used to these smells) and some pretty close shots at deer.

Stick feeders out, use some scents, and deer will run off..."dat ain't normal, where is the Chevy truck that burns motor oil this morning"

I'm dead serious!

 

[MinScout]

Baiting deer is unethical and it's illegal here in MN. Set up a blind or stand downwind from the deer trail then wait quietly and be patient. That's hunting.

 

[MCgunner]

Baiting deer is unethical and it's illegal here in MN. Set up a blind or stand downwind from the deer trail then wait quietly and be patient. That's hunting.

To each his own. Minnesota is sorta strange. In Texas, feeders are a way of life. How else am I going to hunt small acreage, too? There might be a lot of public hunting up there, but down here it's almost all private. Everyone has a feeder, just part of the strategy. You don't always get a deer on a feeder, either, though.

I've stand/feeder hunted, still hunted, spot and stalked, and stand hunted without a feeder. I really think it's ALL hunting. Feeders don't hurt the deer population, either. I doubt Minnesota has any more deer than Texas. They're bigger up north, but not more populous.

 

[Blakenzy]

I would second the salt idea. Most critters have a nose for the minerals, and will flock to the area.

 

[cousinelmer1]

just turn the ground over, when we were digging our pond I was amazed how the deer flocked to the freshly turned dirt looking for the minerals.
Corn and apples work good too, if available for the right price, other than that just patience and luck.