Most bowhunters focus much of their attention on the November rut, where it becomes easier to forget about a pattern that is the most consistent in a year. This includes field-edge hunting for the Whitetails in the 1st couple of weeks of this season. There is not much better than being able to hunt deer whose main goal is to fill up their stomachs with an abundance of easily accessible protein.

A large portion of field-edging strategies is to find out where deer are more likely to be. However, there is far more to field-side success that is consistent. It is essential that you are aware of the factors that you should be considering.

Patience is Vital

Contents hide

1 Patience is Vital

1.1 Forget About The Morning

1.2 Isolated Or Remote Fields Are Better

1.3 Sneaking In And Out

1.4 Strip The Cover Funnels

1.5 Keep The Bucks Guessing

1.6 Useful resources to check out:

It is suggested that you begin a field hunt from the vantage point of distance unless you already have information on exactly where local deer will be. High points and fence rows is a great place to start and your goal should be focused on laying back and watching the movement of the deer.

You may want to consider pinpointing the deer’s preferred field-trails before you set up an ambush. You will only get one shot with a reclusive bruiser, so you need to ensure you are giving it your very best shot.

Forget About The Morning

A morning hunt is something to avoid, as hunting is a lot more effective in the afternoons. In some cases, afternoon hunts might be your sole option. This has to do with that the early mornings are filled with perils, especially in the earlier season.

If you try to find your way in the dark, you may risk bumping into the deer while en route which will cause them to back up to the higher elevations which might be anywhere. Camping close by, with a plan to head out as the sun starts to rise is a great as it provides a way to get going at first light.

In addition, the bucks that are mature will already be bedded well before you reach the first shooting-light. If you choose to hunt in the earlier part of the afternoon, you will already know where the deer are located. Deer tagging can help too. This will also let you know exactly where they will be.

Isolated Or Remote Fields Are Better

There is not much else that will alter the feeding habits of the whitetails than human activities. This is the reason you need to consider a remote field as this will help you to decide when you should be. The more isolated the field is, the more early the deer will be there.

Of course, it is always wise to take your chances and rather arrive a bit earlier than planned. Many of the fields are located close to a hub of activities, so it is likely that you will find deer lingering around areas just off these fields. While it may seem difficult to give up on open shots in a field that is hot, hunting staging areas that are filled with fresh rubs may be worthwhile.

Sneaking In And Out

When you plan access routes, think about the direction of the wind and make sure you are prepared to be extra cautious about avoiding spooking your potential targets – a GPS watch can help with this – look at this one. This can include carrying outerwear inside your pack, so you can prevent sweating along with waiting until the whitetails are far away enough before you exit your stand. Spooking whitetails near to where your stand is, happens to be a huge mistake. You will soon discover that these extra precautions will really pay off.

Strip The Cover Funnels

There are the situations where field-edge stands are the 2nd-best field-hunting options. This is typically when a strip cover area will be surrounded by vegetation that is sparse, which provides a fantastic funnel. In the ideal cases, these secure cover thin bands are magnets for a mature buck.

Anything from creek bottoms to drainage ditches can create the perfect funnel for shy and old bucks to walk past your stand.

Keep The Bucks Guessing

The mature bucks never utilize the same trials over a period of 2 days, and there are good reasons for this. Smart bowhunters mimic these behaviors. The hunter that keeps on using the same access routes, parking spots and stand sites will easily be patterned by local deer. This is why you should always rotate your routine and location, so the deer stays unaware.