Corn?

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

For you guys that grow corn plots for deer, how do you manage your corn field once it's matured during deer season? I've heard of people bush hogging portions of their field before they plan to hunt it. I've also heard some say that they feel it's best to leave the corn standing because it not only feeds deer but they use it to bed as well. What do you guys do?

[bigpuddin43]

found out this year that our deer wont eat corn standing up. we had 3 plots 2 of which we knocked down and every night right after dark you could watch about 15 of them walk right past the standing plot to the two that were knocked down. there isnt a kernel left in either plot thats knocked down and every ear except a few the squirrels and coons got is still left in the one standing.

[Al]

I mow strips or shooting lanes a week before the youth hunt then again before late muzz. I havent noticed deer bedding in it but with out shooting lanes they disappear when they step inside corn. I put corn next to soybeans and put a strip of corn around the edges that are in the open so that the beans (then WW in the fall) are completely enclosed with cover.
I dont mow sections down only strips that way theres still that awsome cover that corn makes. Bushhogging strips scatters kernals all over the place and seems to really increase deer activity for a couple of weeks.
They have a harder time eating the back of the ear. I find tons of ears that have the front bottom portion eaten only.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

Al, I would assume that bush hogging corn right before the December Muzzleloader would be a very lethal game plan (due to lack of other food sources). How has that worked for you?

Also, How effective do you think it would be to bush hog portions of a corn field before modern gun? I would think if it pulled in hot does, well- you know who'd fallow. IF bucks weren't willing to chase out into the open, I would think setting up back in the wood line, beside the trails that does use to enter the field would be a great spot. Im sure bucks would sent track across those entry trails parallel to the tree line.

The reason im curious is because I've never hunted over corn, however, my friend has permission to hunt a farm where the owner leaves a plot of corn standing for wildlife purposes. Were both tryin to figure out some of the tips to hunting it better as a resource.

[barney]

With my experience in farming, and growing every crop under the sun, the absolute #1 favorite crop, that deer prefer above ALL others, is sweet corn, that has dried down! My harvested patches, look and smell just like feed lots, with droppings and urine in over lapping piles. And not just tracks........but actual "tilled" soil, from all of the activity. The deer don't stop till every single grain is gone. I have never seen this kind of frantic, feeding behavior, in any other crop.....PERIOD!

I have been working a dusk, and several times had bucks, walk and run within 50 yards, of me or my truck, inorder to get to a prime patch......before other deer got there.

[shot'm&hook'm]

My neighbor put out some corn last year. I didn't see alot of activity at or around it untill he bush hoged it down then it was on! I would say as season goes buy bush hog a few strips every now and then getting further and further from your stand. but I have noticed that 90% of the activity on corn whether it be in fields, on the ground, or coming out of feeders is done after sunset. so I would find where they are coming from and set up there! If you want a good shot!

[Feedman]

You can knock the corn down with a truck, tractor, four wheeler, etc. as long as you get it down. I don't know why they won't eat it while it is standing.

[jarhedhntr]

You can knock the corn down with a truck, tractor, four wheeler, etc. as long as you get it down. I don't know why they won't eat it while it is standing.

Its hard to eat corn on the cob without thumbs:D. Seriously, that is why you find half eaten corn cobbs, the other half is in the ground where the deer ate the top half.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

so bush hogging the way to go?

[Al]

Yeah, but only mow in strips so you dont loose your cover. Mowing it broadcasts corn kernals all over.
My 10 yr old killed a buck in a strip of cut corn last youth hunt and Ive seen plenty of does in it, but last yr on our farm, based on cam pics, 99% of the bucks showed up at the plots 20 to 30 min after shooting light and left 20 to 30 min before light.
But this yr I put some corn and beans next to an overgrown field and a power line thicket, mabey that will bring bucks out before dark. Im sure it will be good for early bow and muzz but I just havnt had alot of luck hunting bucks over food plots during gun.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

That sounds like a good setup Al. I've dont a lot of reading on food plots and most argue that bucks are more likely to frequent the plot during shooting light IF their is good (thick) edge cover around the plot.

[shot'm&hook'm]

Notice he said around the plot! this tells me they make their way around the plot in cover looking for the doe in the plot if they see a hot one then they go in! Thus set up about 25 yards from it but still at a good poit to shot into it looking over a traveled path into it! My way of looking at hunting corn or any food plot for that matter!

[longtimegone]

Its best to have the plot in the middle of nowhere on your farm. The best one we have is in a small opening that is surrounded by 2/3 cedar and hedge apple thicket and 1/3 hardwood. At just about anytime of day you'll see does and bucks there.