Try finding funnels that contain the deer travel in which a cruising buck would have no other choice but to pass through. Think "hourglass" with woods, brush, scrub or any other type of cover a buck would use being the top and bottom parts of the hourglass which extend into the middle causing a pinch. A rutting buck will use that cover more than trotting the field but that will still happen where a buck stands in a field but more times he'll use the cover and funnels. Instead of field setups try to setup back in the woods maybe 50 yds or so. Or locate any sign that a buck is working that area. With field setups you may see a few doe trails coming into the fields but go back into the woods and try to find a cross cutting trail that bucks use to scent check the doe trails. If you have any swamps in the area that is a killer setup. One with beavers could be even better. A beaver dam backs water up to where it becomes too deep to cross easily. Where the dam is is where the deer will converge together to cross. To me swamps hold monster bucks too. If your hills are fairly steep look for a generous incline where the deer can ascend easier. Also, you can walk the ridge top looking down till you come across that easy incline, just make sure that the sign is there. Creeks are great too, look for the indents in the bank where the hooves tear it up coming out of the creek and follow the trail and hopefully you will have another crossing trail meet up with it (funnel.) I could go on forever about funnels but I don't want to put you to sleep. I love swamps and funnels, a funnel in a swamp is a golden opportunity. I hope this info helped you out a little. Write back anytime man, I like to help out anytime I can. By the way, OHIOS AWESOME WHITETAIL COUNTRY I WISH I LIVED THERE. LATER.  |