Things Are Changing
Posted By
Michigan
at
8/30/2010 12:00:00 AM
I just got this e-mail from new Michigan prostaffer Mike Alberda:
This past week I've noticed a change in where we are seeing the deer. All summer we have seening the deer frequently in the soy beans but this week here in the southwest part of the state, as the beans are starting to turn yellow our deer sightings have been in the alfalfa and clover fields for the most part. This is a good reminder that we need to keep an eye out during the hunting season that as food sources change so do the deer.
Very good advice. Another prostaffer, Kyle Booher stopped by my place yesterday and had a theory as well that the deer aren't hitting the fields as much because they're hitting the woods. The acorns are dropping hot and heavy right now and I think he makes a very valid point. The fields I've been watching just are not producing the deer they were.
Last year, if you'll recall, we saw an early acorn drop as well. That coupled with rainy conditions for the first week of the archery season really hindered early-season success rates. It looks like we'll have a repeat of the situation (minus perhaps the rain) and you should plan now to adjust.
We already are. Kyle has moved one of his trail cameras to an oak flat where acorns are dropping like rain. If he gets the photos we're looking for, then I think that tells us plenty and we will adjust stand setups accordingly. We are already seeing corn come off and the beans -- unless we get a whole lot of rain fast -- are not going to play much of a factor in the early bow season. Once beans start to yellow and brown, deer stop using them. Sure, you may still see a deer or two. But they are not the magnets they are when they're green.
My plan is to put in a few small key food plots -- and no I haven't put them in yet. There is a method to this madness and I'll show you on next week's show. But I want the freshest, lushest green food I can get in the first few days of October. I think I might have the ideal setup. The problem is, I have not been able to locate a mature buck on that property. It borders public land and is hunted very, very hard. I have no doubt there is a 3-year-old buck there. But I just can't seem to get a glimpse. But that little kill plot just might be the best shot I have at making him show himself.
Anyway, stay tuned. Things are changing and we're your eyes in the woods. We'll keep you posted.
Tony H.
This past week I've noticed a change in where we are seeing the deer. All summer we have seening the deer frequently in the soy beans but this week here in the southwest part of the state, as the beans are starting to turn yellow our deer sightings have been in the alfalfa and clover fields for the most part. This is a good reminder that we need to keep an eye out during the hunting season that as food sources change so do the deer.
Very good advice. Another prostaffer, Kyle Booher stopped by my place yesterday and had a theory as well that the deer aren't hitting the fields as much because they're hitting the woods. The acorns are dropping hot and heavy right now and I think he makes a very valid point. The fields I've been watching just are not producing the deer they were.
Last year, if you'll recall, we saw an early acorn drop as well. That coupled with rainy conditions for the first week of the archery season really hindered early-season success rates. It looks like we'll have a repeat of the situation (minus perhaps the rain) and you should plan now to adjust.
We already are. Kyle has moved one of his trail cameras to an oak flat where acorns are dropping like rain. If he gets the photos we're looking for, then I think that tells us plenty and we will adjust stand setups accordingly. We are already seeing corn come off and the beans -- unless we get a whole lot of rain fast -- are not going to play much of a factor in the early bow season. Once beans start to yellow and brown, deer stop using them. Sure, you may still see a deer or two. But they are not the magnets they are when they're green.
My plan is to put in a few small key food plots -- and no I haven't put them in yet. There is a method to this madness and I'll show you on next week's show. But I want the freshest, lushest green food I can get in the first few days of October. I think I might have the ideal setup. The problem is, I have not been able to locate a mature buck on that property. It borders public land and is hunted very, very hard. I have no doubt there is a 3-year-old buck there. But I just can't seem to get a glimpse. But that little kill plot just might be the best shot I have at making him show himself.
Anyway, stay tuned. Things are changing and we're your eyes in the woods. We'll keep you posted.
Tony H.
