#1 Deer Habitat Movement Anywhere

The best way to hunt deer is to narrow down their afternoon food source movement. The afternoon bedding area to food source is the foundation of all deer hunting movement, anywhere a whitetail roams. If you define a deer's movement, you can create precision deer hunting opportunities for yourself. The #1 way to find deer is to find their afternoon food source and without that piece of a whitetail's daily life, your ability to deer hunt effectively becomes random at best. Here is how to hunt deer on public land and private, this season....

[@justinstrong2811]

I love how u always get back to the basics.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Justin! I think it is really important...in particular in today's world of gadgets, fads and misleading information. This topic is so important to all deer hunting...

[@justinstrong2811]

Agreed. I know that I get tunnel vision with some more advanced strategies. But found success just sticking to the basics and good weather strategies.

[@whitetailfrenzy2557]

I just ordered your all weather whitetail book from your website... can’t wait to read and hopefully learn more from you Jeff.

[@anton1483]

Jeff, Deer feeding characteristics are definitely similar no matter what part of our great country your able to hunt in. Thanks for putting it straight and to the point.👍🏼

[@art_of_zombies1417]

Thank you Jeff for all you advice. I’m 15 and just finished reading your Whitetail Hunting by Design book and am looking forward to applying your methods to my uncles land this following year and hopefully get my first buck. 🦌

[@marionmiller4834]

Great Advice Jeff! Keep the videos coming, we applied your advice and i shot a 4-year buck 2nd time out....thanks

[@klayvonisme]

Good morning Jeff, I was just talking about you and your channel with a great friend of mine, and sharing with him some of what I'm learning from you. Just shared this video with him as well. Thanks again and make it a great day!

[@bowhunterloco8369]

I get a small nugget of knowledge each video. Thank you Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Really appreciate the feedback! You are very welcome!

[@RickLarsonPermacultureDesigner]

Since I have now changed my hunting pattern on my 40 - only going there during an appropriate wind - I hunted my county's public land for the first time since the 90's. I found an area with browse and sat up against the largest white oak tree, its roots having protruded up giving me a bit of elevation, the shade from the tree keeping the vegetation low directly around. Sure enough, a (smaller) eight point came within shooting distance and I harvested my first buck in this county since 1992. What you've contributed is how to think about hunting.

[@vonkytonk9754]

I love when you refer to southern areas as, southern Ohio, southern Indiana etc... Lol, I'm down in Florida! I still try to apply your advice down here. Thanks for the info

[@rfb7117]

Jeff, always enjoy your videos, and look forward to them. Thanks again for sharing all the great info. Hoping to get out with the bow a few more times on the food plots. Seeing a lot more movement on the trail cameras, but haven't seen a shooter yet. We may take another doe, but did not see as many this season. We are just enjoying seeing all the deer pic's daily.

[@josephruggieri7463]

Just purchased the book after the video, look forward to reading it, thanks for the help.

[@SmallmouthAddict]

Hey Jeff! great video. Now that I am shifting my focus to the northern lower peninsula public land in michigan for my next seasons, I have been excited about how much more sign and food that I will be basing my hunting around. Growing up only hunting rifle season in the UP conditioned me to almost strictly hunt large movement and land funnels where you just put in your time for 5 days and hope you get an excited spike or fork running by! I was never able to locate a consistent food source on all my adventures miles around camp except for the cedar swamps. Anyways, thanks for the video I watch them all!

[@mudslutmusic9052]

We’ve had great success with hinge cuts in small timber in huge flat ag fields and southern Ohio hills...hack but no squirt works great too for regeneration.

[@randlerichardson5826]

I’m making my lease a lot better this year. Soon as we get over the winter time here. I’m looking forward to doin it to.

[@randlerichardson5826]

We’re gettin plenty of clear cuts here on our state parks. They clear it to. Shame they’re ruining or parks like that. Great video brother be safe out there and GOD BLESS you and your family Amen 🙏.

[@geekazoid1983]

Even in super super late season (like now)...I've seen more movement near evening food time than any other time of day. Definitely a thing.

[@jonah1821]

Jeez! I just found a beaver pond on my coworkers private land they let me hunt. Found right at end of season, and did see sign, but had no idea. And I have a big buck on cam, but haven't found him yet. I will have to focus on that area next season. Thanks for the info! I'm now 3 season in still no deer :( But not giving up!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother I’m finally getting to watch

[@jameshudson9479]

This book is a must read 🏹

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot James...hope it helps a lot of folks!

[@dswish1730]

Love that tunnel of bone on your table.Watched a wide 8 pt yesterday. He was out feeding at 4 o'clock along with a 2 year old.Its cool watching them from the house.Then I get pics of them at 3am in front of the house.I can see them at 1000 yards through my spotting scope. I have 50 acres of beans and corn that is all harvested of course. But man they are cleaning up what was dropped. Good luck Diane .Stick with it and add another set of bone to that pile.Awesome video Jeff.I think I need some more clear cuts.Is Diane hunting with her cross bow?No haters here.If it wasn't 4 a crossbow my wife can't pull a compound.But I can and have 4 years.My 11 year old grandson made it to states. Archery in the schools is awesome.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

D, that's awesome to hear about your grandson!! So cool. Diane is out hunting right now with her crossbow. I'm at the ATA in Indy...she is in a treestand ☺️ pretty awesome to be able to see the deer from that far...to watch them out of the house. Some day I am hoping to do that...soon! What's really cool is that if you offer a lot of day time browse, I believe it takes some pressure off of the food plots. Also keeps them on your land during daylight better too...

[@WHITETAILKINGS]

Great stuff Jeff. Someone asked in a forum this morning that he wanted to travel to 2F in PA to shoot big bucks. He wanted to know what areas hold the best public land hunting. You hit the nail on the head with the deer move depending on the food year to year to year... and in 2F big woods of PA, ya gotta go find where that good woody browse is and where the young clearcut are. 25 years of hunting 2F, no one ever told me where the best place to go was. I had to go find it by finding the features you talk about. I think I am just gonna share this video to him. Haha

[@troyellis3897]

Hey jeff awsome videos love learning from you i would like to know what you think about getting forestry out to do a prescribed burn

[@fishing748]

Intrusting thanks man

[@ashtongreene8546]

Hey man I made a hunt on public land in south Louisiana at Sherburne and was wondering what kind of tips if any that you would have for really marshy or swampy areas to white tail hunt. I’m a “beginner” hunter and was wondering what tips or things to look for in those kinds of habitats. I’ve been following you for about a month or two watching your videos and picked a spot to check out with my buddy. We found a small bedding area and a good bit of tracks in the first spot we went check out. It’s my first time in sherburne so I think we did ok just to find what we found. Thanks for the content and I’ll be watching for your video on swamps. Thanks again man.

[@WVhillDweller]

I finally got my first 8 point on the top of a mountain, at 8:00 am on opening day in Pa. 5b york 😁

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That's outstanding...congrats! Unlike that to..."on top of a mountain" 👍 Nice work!

[@WVhillDweller]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks bro 👍

[@ColbyBlack]

Have you done any videos on more southern states like Texas?

[@TheCarnivoreConnection]

These Yankee deer move real relaxed 🤣

[@chrismayer7762]

Jeff I really hope you do video on the pine Forrest of the black hills of SD. We have no Leaf bearing trees for browse . Thousands of acres of no diversity or surface water. The black hills are impossible to pattern deer consistently. Water is the big hit on my 9 acres but I cannot figure out where the bed. Generally the deer/does start showing up in August. Bucks start showing up mid October. Some of the disperse but the bigger one s show up last week of October as the pre rut starts. Just wish I could find their bending feed ares used during mid day Pleas help Im trying to step up my game Thanks Chris

[@peterhrkal8165]

Awesome material.... I can barely see you through all those antlers though.

[@thereelaccountant9246]

I have friends that get all tickled about bean and stuff but like you said I have noticed the movement there is not as good as one would think for a lot of portions of the deer season.

[@jameshudson9479]

A must 📖 📚 to Reed

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you James, hope you liked the video ☺️

[@jakelevy3612]

I have a food plot question, When do yo start to prep your plot? When do you spray? I here dates but a timeline video with dates from cut, spray, till, plant, layer plant etc. would be good. I am in central VA so I try to follow Kentucky timeline that i have heard you reference in videos. Now that 19 season is over I am looking forward to planning out my new plots for 2020. Thanks fro the great content!

[@jessehanger]

Have you ever experienced that depending on what kind of crop is planted in a field that year, it determines the deer movement? This year in the Ag field that I hunt on they planted corn and I seen more deer last year when they planted beans.

[@haroldcallahan4887]

Jeff tell us about bait and how to substitute, if possible, for afternoon food source - we have overpopulation and we are allowed to bait in our zone- We are being told that corn may have an adverse impact on deer health. When are you visiting Connecticut

[@ML-ks2lj]

One day brother I'll have the land I want and you'll be helping me set it up to have some good healthy deer

[@shawnb789]

Morning Jeff, so in your hinge cut areas a year or 2 into it the saplings come up and take over leaving the deer almost nowhere to lay down. What maintenance are you practicing in your man made bedding areas to ensure the deer will use it continually? I just had to cut a bunch of dead ash in my thicket and it's going to get very thick over the next 3 years. Lot of sunlight hitting the ground now. I had to spray some areas at my client's farms last year to keep it thin enough for the deer to bed in after May. Any suggestions on the matter?

[@Stezzyikes]

Can you make a video on how you get clients to go and revamp there parcels for hunting. I think that is the coolest thing but no idea how to do it!!!

[@RenaissanceSteve]

Thank you for mentioning that ag fields are not food plots. Nobody talks about this.

[@matthewmajeur1086]

Jeff, what’s the best thing to plant in upstate New York right near the Canadian border? The snow gets so tall it’s hard to have a food source all year

[@anglersedge11]

Can you make a video of Deep South texas in the cactus and red sandy dirt

[@jwsteine]

Jeff, what are you thoughts on hot fencing a food source for late season?

[@dswish1730]

I am watching them come off the neighbors land.They have the briers and brows.They told me to hunt wherever I wanted.They have almost 1000acres.They kill some nice deer.But only in rifle season.I have seen more good buck after season than ever before. Flintlock is still open. But I think everyone is done 4 the year..Hope you sell lots of books at ATA?

[@ryanduffey2871]

Jeff, when trying to hunt buck bedding areas (particularly in ridge areas in northern michigan for me) how do you predict where the buck will head when they leave their beds? Always into the wind? Thanks!

[@mike81399]

👍

[@benwatson5012]

So if a clearcut lives out it purpose after 4or 5 years in the south why not just cut it down again I mean couldn't you make that a regular maintenance to continue the same movement patterns every year

[@bwana3006]

What type of food plot would you recommend for SE Texas 735 acres with creeks acorns

[@yganator]

i live in the southeast and have 120 acres what type of food plot do you recommend to last from oct-jan?

[@louisianag]

Morning from northwest Louisiana Jeff. Killed my 2nd deer of season few days ago, rifle ends on the 12th this sunday looking forward to walking around and scouting for next year and better locations. Hope y'all had a good deer season and got the bucks you wanted.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Morning Garrett! That is outstanding to hear 👍 I love being able to finally walk around the woods after the season. We had an incredible year...and Diane is in a tree right now this morning! She still has her bow tag and is really working hard at trying to shoot a buck...even if she doesn't, she shot an awesome buck with a bow and we have been truly blessed. Enjoy scouting!

[@louisianag]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks man. Your videos are educating this young 22 year old hunter a lot

[@jamesquaid6084]

I'ved learned so much from your videos. They make so much sense. Keep up the great work!

[@shannonherb2048]

Our agg field is fescue hay, and it's green as of 2/10/20. Would you consider that good food? It's surrounded by woods, creek in the middle. Roads on two sides. Should I plant food plots? Woods in the middle with creek. Two bridges make a funnel

[@josephbennett4442]

How do I find marshes on a topography map like on x or hunt stand ? What do I look for ?

[@turdferguson8227]

Jeff, sounds like you’re booked this year. If I reach out to you, could we put something on the books for February 2020? I have 293 acres in Tensas Parish in NE Louisiana I bought almost 2 years ago. Amazing property less than a mile from the Mississippi River. I have a ton of deer and big deer but it’s a doe factory. My 2 brothers and I average around 18 deer every evening hunt and a dozen in the mornings. Need help to maximize my properties potential. Thanks

[@nathanknapp4476]

Food plots are awesome, but what do you do when you don't have a place to put one . I have tried no plow plots and had no success even top brand company's it is usually not enough sun what's a good product for shade thanks

[@colteasley9039]

Hello sir, have you reviewed land in South part of country and provided a public land strategy? Specifically delta area around Arkansas / Mississippi?

[@jsp5407]

Do you have any videos about hunting in Virginia? If not can you come to va and make a video ? Thanks

[@scottjkern]

Jeff... I realy would love it if you could come over and check my 40 I have. Including the house we live in. We have troubles keeping deer here

[@blazeice111]

Awesome. So areas of hardwood regeneration and red osier are so good that they are able to sometimes replace that afternoon food source? Or would you suggest putting red osier and clear cuts by the bedding areas instead?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Definately red osier and clearcuts by bedding. They can be the quality food source on public land and often are...but can not replace food plots on private land. I hope that makes sense Nick?

[@blazeice111]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 absolutely. So they are daytime feeding areas? I just got a bunch of red osier seeds and am on my way to plant them this morning! So this was very good information, thank you

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@blazeice111 I love them for areas on the way to and from bedding and feeding...and between bedding areas for a great stand location. They aren't a bad compliment to a food plot either...just needs to be heavily caged in first couple of years!

[@blazeice111]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I thought you mow the red osier every year in the spring? Do you only do that for the first time on the third year in order for it to have time to establish?

[@ronnielkier]

Jeff , where can i find your books ? I'm on my phone only.... Love the videos !

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate you watching ☺️ You can find my books at www.whitetailhabitatsolutions.com/store There are also over 600 whitetail articles there, too ☺️

[@fromontario6954]

I hope you make a video when you go doe hunting.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

We sure did ☺️ Will be out on Saturday/Sunday or Tuesday. I have 4 vids ready to put out and that one was going out on Saturday...but may trade it with the Tuesday vid.

[@drini021]

Would an ag. Field count as a 4&5 feeding? When you refer to high quality afternoon food source are you only referring to the #3 feeding?

[@donkey8781]

MATT ALESSANDRINI I think so. I hunted ag field this year and they only came in 10 minutes before dark every time.

[@josepho2813]

What about acorns late season in my spots they are everywhere but they almost look mouldy due to being out in snow and rain. Are they still eating these

[@josepho2813]

I live in central Illinois if that makes any difference I'm hunting 25 to 30 acres public land and it's inbween two harvested corn and soybean fields.

[@JVoss-ny2xg]

Once it gets too thick in a 4-5yr old clear cut, then what?

[@stackzoverheaddoors454]

Nothing wrong with crossbows I shot compound for 20 years got a crossbow for Christmas said ah il try it out and I'm still shooting it matter of fact that's all I shoot now

[@ducati748sification]

How can we find out about this property for sale.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Here you go...Chad is a great realtor for helping you with any questions you may have! weisschoice.com/property.php?ID=2199

[@ducati748sification]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions I will reach out to chad. I bought an 80 in wood county(Lindsey, WI) that I would like to book you to visit, but would like one more piece down by Crawford county, but this one might fit the bill.

[@wcb2251jr]

Why are you tying off the white tape? 2:07

[@stevekay5818]

He is most likely marking an area on a clients property where maybe they should add a water hole a mock scape etc.

[@stdavis22]

"too thick"???...those are the only places deer can survive around here where they run dogs

[@jondevos7535]

I agree. I have 65 acres that I need to try and create a safe area for deer. Guys run dogs all around my property. Just need to figure out how to keep their dogs off my property now too. I am looking at putting in a food plot right between cedar thicker/wetter area and open hardwoods. Figured that would give deer some quality afternoon food while having thick cover near by to get away from the dogs.

[@stdavis22]

@@jondevos7535 Its tough man, 65 acres is enough to do it tough. You want briars and CRP style bird habitat...did i mention briars?

[@rorynelson7548]

Had a big ole boy in front of me tonight, let him pass. Didnt feel the shot but I'm sure he'll be back tomorrow

[@jonathanwarren1166]

Brother man, if you don’t think deer can move through VERY THINK cover you should come to Mississippi and your mind would be changed. We have clear cuts that’s grown up for several years and our deer will run through it like it’s a corn field.

[@TheCarnivoreConnection]

He's talking about them yankee deer lol

[@willyfaulker6001]

I like your videos but unfortunately it’s a different game up here in New Brunswick Canada Irving oil sprays all out hardwoods forests with herbicides it’s disgusting

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Pretty weird thing to do?! Kind of like our AG Fields down here...many different herbicides and pesticides used on a single field

[@willyfaulker6001]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 yes it’s very sad stare of affairs up heee as far as white tails go but we’ve had a two very mild winters in a row so hopefully that will help the herd a bit. Thanks for the reply!