December 23, 2019 at 10:15am
JB does make good points. He's right. I started putting feed out just so I can get pics of the herd and just started hunting over it. Got away from the tactics like JB described. Obviously when the rut starts, it changes everything. I'll usually hit the funnels and trails later in the season and leave the feed alone. I do keep feeding and put the wife and kids over the feed, but I catch em coming. Unless it's really windy or raining... then I walk around. Might not be best, but I make sure I'm as scent free as possible and it works. Pattern your deer, don't put too much pressure, and pick the best days to go (wind, barometric pressure, etc.). Sorry for going in left field... got carried away, lol!
One more thing.... the lease I have with the hogs, I put a big feeder and keep it full and spraying corn twice a day. On the other end of the lease, I don't put anything. The side with no feed has all the rub lines, scrapes, deer sightings, etc. I like to think keeping the hogs well fed keeps them on that side. Don't get me wrong, the hogs do still roam all over, but not as bad as when I was putting feed all over. And it seems like the deer are fine. My heard has been growing in numbers and quality over the last few years too. Not sure how big your lease it, but this area is only 300 acres. Not much land I know, but me and my family are the only ones that hunt it. Primarily me though.
Hope my rambling helps....