A common question new deer hunters often ask is where should I hunt bucks. Well, you should hunt deer wherever you have access to legally hunt. However, if you have access to a variety of different deer habitat, you can form different strategies for hunting bucks.
There are several different types of habitat that produce shot opportunities at mature bucks. However, mature bucks are smart and cautious creatures. Your best bet for shot opportunities largely depends on the surrounding habitat in your hunting area. Let’s break down the difference between hunting fields compared to hunting in timber.
Hunting fields
Hunting deer on the edge of fields can be extremely effective. Field hunting allows hunters to see a large amount of ground. With greater views, a hunter often sees more action when sitting in a blind. Hunting this way can be more entertaining. Field hunting allows hunters to see more wildlife and typically gives a hunter more time to observe deer as they feed.
Why fields attract does
Deer are naturally attracted to the edges of fields. Fields provide a variety of food sources for deer. They offer fresh sprouts of many different types of grass, as well as, a huge amount of variety of browse. Does love to feed in fields for a number of reasons. Does will often bring fawns to feed on the edges of fields because the open spaces give a mother doe the ability to spot danger from a distance.
Why you should hunt fields
Hunting fields are great for observing deer. A hunter can observe a large area. Field edges also, present easier shot opportunities and more daylight so a hunter can see longer during the late evening. You have a great chance of seeing large numbers of does, late in the evening feeding, in fields.
You can also see bucks in the fields. However, based on my experience, bucks seem to walk out into fields much later then does. In fact, most of the mature bucks where I hunt rarely walk into fields during daylight unless the rut is going full blast. I primarily hunt in Louisiana. Please keep that in mind because I know in the Midwest and other parts of the US, hunters consistently harvest mature bucks throughout the season in fields. However in the South, it seems mature bucks tend to wait until the sun is extremely low before walking into an open field.
When is the best time to hunt mature bucks in open fields during hunting season?
I can tell you based on my years of hunting, the majority of my big buck encounters in open fields have been during the rut. Remember fields allow hunters to see large areas. When bucks are cruising for does, open fields and large “right of ways” are great places to catch a mature buck traveling through your area.
Also, does seem to congregate on the edges of fields and opening. Mature bucks know this and will often cruise the edges of fields in search of does.
However, hunting during the rut is a great time to see a mature buck just about anywhere. The most successful hunters I know focus on hunting in the timber and thickets when they are after mature bucks. There are multiple reasons why your chances of bagging a mature buck increase when hunting in the woods.
Timber equals security to mature bucks
Mature bucks are very intelligent animals. They have reached maturity because they understand how to avoid danger. Danger to a deer comes in many forms. However, hunters are most likely the one predator a mature buck will attempt to avoid the most. I am convinced, older bucks shy away from open fields during the daylight because they know they are exposed to hunters and other predators.
Timber and thickets however, give a buck a sense of security and comfort. Sure, they know deer feeders equal danger and the “old school box stand” nestled in the woods can get them killed. However, for the most part, I believe mature bucks feel much more comfortable traveling during daylight hours in the woods.
Heavy timber and thickets with small lanes trimmed out can be great for hunting mature bucks.
Why you should hunt in the woods
There are countless reasons for hunting in the woods. Timber offers security and cover. Timber also offers food sources such as acorns. Hunting in the trees will limit a hunter’s ability to see long distances at times. However, hunting in the timber gives hunters many options for concealment.
Hunting in the timber allows hunters to hunt out of trees and on the ground. Tree stands and ground blinds are extremely effective for hunting in wooded areas.
By choosing to hunt wooded areas, you can hunt travel corridors, bedding areas, and food sources such as acorn trees. Often hunters on popular TV shows, set stands in the woods a few yards from the edge of fields. This tactical setup allows hunters to intercept bucks traveling to fields and food plots before it becomes too dark to shoot. I love to use this tactic for bow hunting near food plots.
When is the optimal time to hunt mature bucks in the woods during deer season
Based on my experience, there really isn’t a bad time during deer season to hunt mature bucks in the woods. However, I have noticed certain times in the season seem to be better than other times.
The pre-rut is the absolute best time to hunt in the woods. During the pre-rut in the early part of deer season, bucks are busy making scraps and maintaining scrap lines. If you can find a scrap line in the timber, you have a great chance of catching a buck passing through during the daylight hours while he checks his scraps.
Wooded areas and thickets offer food sources where mature bucks are comfortable feeding at during daylight hours. Bucks will feed under acorn trees in the daylight more often than fields or corn feeders. Why? Acorn trees and thickets full of vegetation great for browsing, offer cover and security for mature bucks. They can feed without being exposed.
If you are chasing mature bucks during the late season, hunting in the woods can be great. During the late season, bucks are extremely cautious due to weeks of hunting pressure. The hunting pressure will cause bucks to become totally nocturnal in some cases. However, hunting travel routes in wooded areas near food plots can result in great success because bucks are trying to recover from the rut as well as prepare for the harshest part of winter.
Conclusion
Hunting in the woods can have major benefits for you guys focused on harvesting a mature buck. However, if you are concentrating on filling your freezer, field hunting will give you more opportunities to harvest does.
I love to hunt both types of habitat. Personally, I rather hunt fields because I enjoy having a nice view. I suggest you hunt wherever you can whenever you get an opportunity. However, if your hunting area contains both types of habitat, try hunting in the woods during the morning and hunt fields during the evening. This tactic will give you the best of both worlds.
I hope you guys found useful information in this post. If you would like more tips and tricks for deer hunting, check out our deer page at Americanhuntjngsafari.com. Are you interested in other types of hunting and fishing? Check out Americanhuntingsafari.com’s home page. We have tips and tricks for different types of hunting and some tasty ways to cook you harvest.
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