Best Deer Hunting Strategy

What is the best deer hunting strategy for you to use this season? Well, are you hunting deer bedding areas in wilderness area or small private public land locations? What about small ag parcels, big public land wilderness areas, small chunks of public land, mixed ag regions, low cover areas or some mix of all of the above? The problem with today's modern deer hunter is that many hunters choose the hunting strategy that is the online flavor of the season, and then head to the woods. The deer hunting strategy that they find and use may or not be a fit. With all of the deer strategies out there to choose from, it is highly likely that 10s of thousands of hunters are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole of deer hunting strategy options, when they head to their favorite deer stand. Have you actually chosen the best deer hunting strategy that fits the land where you hunt, this season?

[@LanternLighterRanch]

Ok I'm putting myself out on a limb because I come from a family of hunters.. I'm not hunting the "big buck" only hunting for freezer meat. I want to make my time in the woods productive. My lessons in hunting have pretty much been here's your weapon (gun/ bow) go sit in the woods, good luck.. well what do I look for? How do I pick a good spot? I ground hunt but I'm good at sitting still. My first couple years I guess I got lucky because I had deer walk right past me but now I go out for many hours and rarely see anything so I want to be sure I'm doing there basics right :) Love your videos and I'm learning from them I just get overwhelmed with ALL the info that is beyond my level. Thank you for sharing your acquired info

[@MyVisualRomance]

Its the same way with deer habitat management too. What works in the north can be totally different in the south. The vegetation species, for example, is different. There aren’t a lot of “benches” or even hills for that matter in the deep south like there are in the north. Deer eat different things up north versus south. Their bedding preferences may vary greatly. Hard to be an “expert” in terrain you aren’t as familiar with or experienced in.

[@kevinbeazy]

I’ve been hunting the same 1200 acres for 7 years now and I’m still trying to figure out how to hunt it. I feel like I get the best, and most practical tips from you. Thanks.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man that is an awesome sized piece!! Almost easier to hunt smaller parcels at times...less decisions, lol. I really appreciate it and I hope the info continues to help! Thank you Kevin👍

[@kevinbeazy]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions It’s timber land and 10 of us on the lease. I’d say 60% is pines and the rest white and red oaks with the occasional persimmon tree and muscadine vines. It’s very hilly, tough terrain. It’s a lot of fun though.

[@bjmgolf3651]

Jeff, great comparison of hunting to golf! I never viewed hunting that way. Thanks for the videos and best of luck this season!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot...really was hoping that would hit home for folks ☺️ Good luck to you too...got to love this time of year!

[@RobertWilliams82-22]

What about wooden ladder stands?

[@everettsmith5216]

Thank you for the advice, this will definitely help me this deer season

[@bucketbob5202]

Great vid good luck this season

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot and good luck to you too!

[@markb.1259]

Thanks for the education Jeff!!!

[@jimmyperez5881]

Great information thank you very much

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Really appreciate it Jimmy...you are welcome! Hope you like tomorrow's...should be a good one I'm hoping!

[@medic599]

Thanks for the videos. My daughter is 11 and recently decided she wanted to hunt deer by this time next year. I've always hunted waterfowl, never deer. I've been binge watching your channel for days trying to catch up on the stuff I should know before we even start scouting.

[@richstafford1245]

Looking forward to the public land challenge. Hope nobody’s ego gets hurt too much. I have a good golf analogy. This challenge is like a US open at Oakmont CC. Long rough and tough conditions. Pros struggle to break par. Unlike most majors where they play target golf and shoot 14 under par. Hope everyone has to hunt in the LP where 100 inch bucks are are rare as unicorns.

[@tbs74831]

Jeff, Thanks for all the advice! I would like to see a episode on SE Georgia, the weather is up and down. It could be 95 in November or 25. 9 months out the year are humid and hot. We never seem to see a consistent rut pattern. We dont have mass ag fields of high protein food. We mostly are covered in small creeks and pine trees and heavy cover. I believe it's one of the most challenging areas to kill a big mature buck. I hope to see a episode about hunting southeastern states.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Oh for sure Brandon...at least all of the concepts still apply! I mentioned somewhere in this comment thread I notice a lot of ATV use on large lease lands in the SE, while spooking out food plots a lot. I even had one "deer expert" in GA say that they try to leave 1 food plot that is unpressured on a parcel. Man...you need ALL of them unpressured. Anyways...good luck! Surely different hunting tactics.i have a close hunting friend that shoots a lot of nice bucks down there...I think over unpressured bait piles. Can you use bait? Will have to follow up with him...

[@thomasprice1760]

U got that right.

[@Mad_Mailman]

Your channel is filled with so much knowledge that has helped me become a better hunter. Jeff you are the man! Last year I killed the biggest buck of my life using the tips/methods you talk about in your videos. Thank you so much! -Beau (PA)

[@dougmoore7116]

Good information, thumbs up

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Doug...really appreciate it!

[@djf1019]

Jeff, great insight. I hunt public land in NC where there is no baiting allowed. I am always trying to expand my knowledge and keep my options open. Your insight is always great. I have learned on public I have to be willing to put in more work whether it means crossing water or going over a mile or two in. Excited to watch you all with the public land challenge.

[@curtisbrowning4682]

Thank you so much for the great videos you post. I've been following you for the past couple of years started hinge cutting and putting in food plots. I have 5 now on my 40 and with the no baiting law in MI and the wet late spring/summer I have no AG within a mile of me! Hoping for the best this year and good luck in the public land challenge and hope you put down a giant

[@theworkingman2073]

Great video, great Channel, when I look for videos about hunting this is the type of thing I want. Not shaky camera work of guys in the woods.

[@brianlenneman5032]

Great video Jeff!! Whitetail shift is on!! Bucks are showing up.. the new Render Exodus cameras are doing there job!! Most bucks are shedding velvet in northern Mn.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Brian ☺️ I can't wait to get my Render I have heard a lot of really great feedback!! Exciting times ahead for sure...

[@chadwheeler38555]

Thank you for sharing!

[@oakironoutdoors2436]

BTW, this may be one of the best episodes you have done Jeff. Every piece of land is different and each piece needs to be hunted completly different even if one piece is across the road from another. I see a lot of people going against what your saying here. And a lot of people apply the same hunting technique to every property and situation and then wonder why they fail at their intended goal. Most do not even have a strategy or plan all together. I'm similar to you that I love the strategic component to the season. I am also a big believer in that you should always have a plan, and part of a plan being good is that it is set up to be fluid dependent upon outside factors. Well, done Jeff and good luck this weekend.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Clint...really appreciate those words and it is all so true! Very few are fluid. Even a lot of experts only can stay in their lanes. Kind of like bass fishing. If you only know how to fish 1 lake 1 way...you really never learn how to bass fish 😉

[@jerrypaine8457]

Awesome video Jeff! I've been hunting my 30 acres in northern Wi for 9 years, and I totally changed the property around this year following alot of your advice.early scouting looks great, can't wait for that first cold front! I'd like to hear more about the Northwoods of the UP which is like where I'm at!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man that all sounds great Jerry and I hope you have a GREAT season! Great to hear in the early scouting too 👍 I have some public land vids that are from the UP a bit too...my first book I wrote right after being in the up for 14 years. Best of luck!

[@jerrypaine8457]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks for the quick response Jeff! I might have a challenge for you next year.....I might have an opportunity to buy 80 acres up the road from my current 30, it hasn't been hunted or touched in decades, but it borders my good friends 40+ year camp on the 80 to the South! Would love to have you come check out both properties and really curious to hear your insight on the new parcel if I get it!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jerrypaine8457 would love to Jerry and man I hope that you get it! And you are very welcome...I hope that all the info helps out a lot!

[@jonessoutdooradventures1152]

Keep doing what works for you if your consistently harvesting year after year. Less is more if you don't have much to land to hunt. Now if things aren't working out for you just keep trying and learning by listening to successful hunters but most important by being out there learning. Study deer behavior,habitat,weather,thermals, everything you can get your eyes and ears on. When i started hunting in the 80's hunters didn't talk much about inches and pope young and booners that is the new generation talk. Hunting is suppose to be enjoyable and its not a competition or meant for bragging rights. It's a God givin blessing to enjoy and have fun making memories. You will be blessed if you put the right things first no matter what. Stay humble and get your hunt on. Praying all are safe this season and make some wonderful memories along the way!

[@brandonpatterson5705]

Another great video with awesome knowledge and strategy I can't wait till next weekend when bow season opens in Missouri.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man thank you so much Brandon and GOOD LUCK!! Same here for the opener ..it is coming in HOT 👍 can't wait...

[@brandonpatterson5705]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you and good luck to you to :)

[@christopherlein2307]

Great watch!!

[@robgrubb420]

tons of information thanks for sharing.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you so much Rob...you are welcome! I try to offer as much as possible in each vid...hope you really like it, one of my favorites and s very important topic 🙂

[@billkerr2060]

My deer came back to the mock scrape and all there normal patterns grandpa buck I have no idea where he came from is in my woods now hitting the mock scrapes I got some cool vids on there natives with one another thanks jeff for the tips looks like this year will b sweet

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man I love to hear that Bill and you are very welcome ☺️ Sounds like you should be VERY excited...I am really happy for you! Enjoy the hunt!

[@steveplantz7199]

Love your old Cablea's Treebark back pack I have had one for years. I have retired it now and use it for my stand hanging pack as the zipper is wearing out. I now have the new improved version of the same pack in RealTree camo.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, good catch Steve! It really is hard to find a small, crushable backpack that takes up very little space. Bigger isn't better when it comes to backpacks...

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

I have the same one also.

[@diggumvt04]

Best strategy summaries covering multiple scenarios I’ve heard in under 13 minutes! Great exhortation! If you have time or want to give Dylan a challenge, I’d love to see a recap of your Michigan challenge hunt... to include satellite and topo maps as you recount the experience! Good luck!

[@bobrosenbalm5104]

Great information. Good luck to you this fall and keep the videos coming.

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

No cookie cutter methods/approach apply to each hunting property set-up. Great video! Cris

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Oh for sure Cris...great point! Thank you very much 👍

[@jjustice7429]

Jeff I think this. is one of your best videos. You have a lot of info. on various types of properties (public, private, small private, large private, small public, large public), stands, and entry and exits all in one. I am hunting a 8,000 acre public land for the time this year. They have bow season from Sept. 9th to Oct. 4th then it comes back in on Dec. 9th to Jan. 1st. They have five gun hunts that are three days each done by a lottery system in between mid Oct. to mid Nov. The Wildlife officer said during bow seasons they only have around twelve hunters each weekend. I have never killed a big mature buck, the biggest I have killed is around 110 to 115 in score and were probably two year to three year old deer. I am focusing on trying to get a mature deer this year out of this public ground. Thanks for the great advise in the video and if you have anything else for me that might help please respond back. Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi J...man that sounds like you have a great chunk to hunt! I can honestly say that finding an area that is a core portion of the land that attracts very few hunters...difficult to get to...is an incredible start! On public land the spook factor is far reaching. Using those 12 hunters to your advantage is so key. Consider that each one most likely spooks a huge number of acres! Best of luck...try to find an off the wall way to get into that chunk and enjoy☺️ I really hope the continued info helps you out!

[@jjustice7429]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks for the advice. This is the biggest piece of property I have ever tried to figure out. I can't wait to for the season to open. Hope you have a good season and can't wait to see some of your hunts.

[@williamlasure6301]

Great video!! I do same climber public. And sticks with a climber at home. Climber is the most comfortable hang -on u can buy.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi William...I couldn't Sue a climber where I hunt on private just too loud. And over 20 stand setups on 3 small parcels. I love my Family Tradition Treestands...just as comfy ☺️ But that's why I began being very lucky with my hang ons...because of the climbers I use!

[@williamlasure6301]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751I dont climb them on private I use sticks to them. Summit is only loud when climbing the tree. And u cant beet the comfort of that recliner seat

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@williamlasure6301 oh for sure!! With how many stands and locations I have I could never carry one to my stands at all...or set it up. I'd spook too many deer. AND I average at least 20-25 minutes 1 way in, up hill. I don't even carry a backpack. I hunt in areas where 1 metallic thing and I ruin the hunt. I even move if I accidentally ting something.

[@williamlasure6301]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I dont carry either I set them up for the year. I need the comfort cause I have some back issues I deal with!! And they are easy to set up as a hang on. 10lbs at a time. And $270 that's the crappy part. Been doing the layering winter rye. Works awesome. Thx!!!

[@peterbergeris6510]

Love your videos! Your quiet spoken and you let us know your strategies especially when it comes to public land. I hunt alone and feel I'm on to something when I see tracks ,rubs and scrapes( can't tell if they are man made or not). But I checks rubs to see if they are old. I'm 67 and I've been with others but I like to scout, read topo maps and the weather. I've never been successful at even seeing a deer in the woods opening day. I like to hunt archery n rifle. My question is what type and mfg climber do you recommend? I will probably get a Hunters harness system and listen to a video on how to use it. I only hunt public . If you find fresh tracks how far off do you set up? I found which was a good rub and found rubs in a somewhat straight line and set up a camera. No deer in pics. I came in a different way but felt I set up too close to the rubs and from listening to videos, bucks won't come back to rubs, only scrapes. How far in the woods do you travel? Sorry for the lengthly comment.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Peter thank you very much! Sounds like you have a great passion for this and I can fully appreciate it! I hunt with my bow during the gun season often and live bowhunting! For sure on the rubs tho, they are frequented very little after the initial use, but do sometimes indicate a line of travel...just not a high attraction. I am typically back in public land a 1/2 hour to hour walk on average. Well away from others. BIG rubs are great tho because they can indicate big bucks. Combine active scrapes in remote areas and you can find a real hotspot! I use a Summit for my climber stand and Family Tradition stands for my private land setups. I also have an Ole Man I use on public too. I live the comfort and I have a very lightweight Summit which is nice too...

[@Eastky23wildlife]

Is it ok to rake a small path to my spot to hunt?

[@j5outdoors941]

Thank you for all the great hunting advice cannot wait to use them in the woods with me this season! Could you make a video for early season calling and rattling?!?

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great video be safe brother and your camera man to GOD BLESS you both Amen.

[@randlerichardson5826]

I wish I could use a climber still. My back and knees won’t let me anymore. I use two man ladder stands anymore. I’ve got room to move. I’m 6 foot 2 and I need room lollll. 2 man stands are a little heavier to set up and are hard to get in the woods in places but well worth it. Great video brother as always. Take a old doe that’s grown up in a certain patch of woods and shes hard to fool to.

[@suzmell1]

Hey Jeff well the hing cutting is done for now my woods look a lot different as you would expect those guys are beasts the way they attacked those trees impressive I must say very exciting time in regards to morning hunt opening gun season small parcel like mine do you recommend going out or sitting tight or is weather the main factor

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Paul...so happy to hear...I hope that you feel like you got your money's worth! They truly are beasts 👍 For the gun opener I recommend going out and sitting right all day regardless of the weather. The gun opener is a sacred day for sure...can't miss out

[@jjhoran1273]

Great video sir!! I also like the golf reference, it’s a very good way to look at it, .. I’m also not planning hunting mornings at first, and also like you, my opening day isn’t until the first evening with a temp drop. Which is a first first me, Just hoping it’s as close to Oct 1 as possible. Plots are greening up nice and we have daylight videos almost Daily thanks to all the info from watching your Channel. Thanks again, I’ve NEVER been more excited for a season or had more confidence that I’m doing things the right way for my application. Good luck on your public land challenge, can’t wait for the content that derives from your combined efforts with the other channels!! I’ve asked before, and you’ve commented that you don’t reply to personal content for time reasons, but how can I contact someone about getting a trucker hat or T-shirt etc with your logo? I’d feel privileged to rock that logo 👍👍

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi JJ...man, that all sounds so great! I love the confidence and optimism o am hearing from you and I thank you for letting me play a role in that! Really appreciate it. Diane was just talking to me about that yesterday...that I need to get my hats and a cool shirt back on the website for sale! Really...coming soon and that means a lot to me that you would want to represent 👍 coming soon...

[@jimmyperez5881]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions I'm definitely going to buy a shirt and a hat when they come available your content is great I'm a central Pennsylvania hunter that hunts big timber I've learned a lot from you sir 👍🏼thank ya

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jimmyperez5881 man that is awesome to hear! Definitely need to get that together very soon...Diane is actually on her way up to spend time with me in Canada and we will talk about it. Soon tho...really appreciate the support

[@mxer822]

Jeff, what is your strategy on checking game cameras? I typically wait until the middle of a rain to go check them.

[@gavinbenz9034]

Great video love watching them! My biggest problem in North Dakota here is that I don't know where the bucks are in the fall. I have big bucks all summer and they move every year as expected but I can't find the bucks that move in because I don't know where the deer are bedding. I hunt tree row fields in the early season but once the deer move the tree rows are a wasteland and I cannot for the life of me find the deer and I hunt my grandparents farm that's over 1000 acres and in the fall the deer disappear

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I bet you can easily find where they bed by looking at the aerial...for sure! Thick cover and unbroken cover, within a mile. Could be further in open areas. Hope that makes sense!

[@jwoods345]

Great videos as always jeff! Really looking forward to the season. I really want to access the back side of a bedding area this year but the problem is the deer will eventually cross my access route to get to the ag. It may be best to wait until the ag is gone? so they when they leave my plot there will be a better chance they don't cross my foot trail.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi J...I would only sit in a backside bedding area stand until noon...1pm at the latest and then get out when the coast is clear. I also use sprayed down rubber bottomed boots and that should put your trail on the ground hours before the deer head back to the ag. I hope that makes sense if I am hearing you right?

[@jwoods345]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 makes perfect sense! I am very careful and only use rubber boots sprayed down. Really looking forward to seeing you with a big ol bruiser on the ground this season!

[@perryrusso3764]

Hi Jeff, 🎯🎯🦌🦌Roger Rothaar once told me many years ago "be flexable" awesome analogy to golf. Big tracks are the spots I love to bow hunt..it requires the most effort...and allows you to hunt pockets that have very little pressure...heading to 6500 acre Iowa public WMU..Good luck🦌🦌

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Perry...man that sounds awesome I bet you can't wait to go there! Looks like for me MN and MI public land for me...WI private. Trying to find low pressure for SURE! Coming in soon...always good to hear from you.

[@perryrusso3764]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks Jeff...I just got back from another scouting trip in Iowa...really large public land track I'm hunting. Bill Winke hunted this area when he was a kid....I've got several bucks targeted..so I'm very excited to say the least. I'll keep you posted God Bless you my friend

[@grizzledmillennial4765]

I would love to see some tactics or data for the southeast states. I feel like they are greatly overlooked. We have a variety of terrain from swamp to mountains, our winters can be harsh to nonexistent, we 1st and 2nd rut in many places and the added hunting pressure from dog runners.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

At least all of the concepts still apply ☺️ You can imagine the different habitat I have worked on in the 26 states I have covered! Even within some states that habitat changes so drastically...huge ag to harsh wilderness in just a 100 miles. The concepts still apply tho, just the size, variety and balance of habitat changes. Whitetails are Whitetails tho...which is a good thing ☺️ I find more so in the SE a lot more hunters overhunting food plots with ATVs on large leases. Nocturnal herds. Baiting strategies. Thick cover where don't have to leave to find decent food that is overpressured. Overly pressured food plots is common everywhere...but man in the SE it is rampant. Someone once told me in GA how the deer go nocturnal on the food plots when the acorns are dropping...as they drive their ATV under their shooting house to hunt alongside their raised shooting house, lol. Not that it happens everywhere in the SE...but man, overhunting green fields on large leases seems to be standard practice. I even had one "leading deer manager" in the SE tell me they like to save one food plot from being pressured on the various lands they manage. Man...if you aren't keeping ALL of the plots on a parcel free from perceived hunting prressure levels the land is tpast. Pretty easy to help landowners make changes in some of those areas by removing the ATV and food plot pressure. O know that may not be representative of the entire SE...but I have seen some pretty familiar patterns.

[@thehuntingparadox2291]

Awesome content as usual, slowly learning what I can about zeroing in on mature deer over the last 4 years. Public land is no joke, I have some early tags here in TN this weekend and the next, it's supposed to be hot and I have 3 days to hunt both. I have scouted each spot 1 time due to distance away from me. Any advice for hunting hot weather (90°) high pressure areas? Thanks and good luck to you this year.

[@Chalz108]

On my property (which I've never hunted before) there is a tree branch that is just to the side of the trail. My biggest buck hits it every time he walks by and one of my does hits it every time. No others. My uncle tells me this means those two will breed together. I have only been hunting one year so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Many many other bucks and does walk by and seem to ignore it. One last thing I did not place this as a mock scrape this is just a random branch to the side of the trail.

[@joet1319]

No baiting in Michigan this year unless you're in the up

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Which is incredibly awesome...love that, but I wish the would have axed in the UP too! That's where they need to get rid of it the most. The buck age structure will jump up immediately!

[@outdoorfamilytraditions9352]

I stopped baiting 6 years ago over in the thumb area and started seeing more bucks around my hunting spots. Less deer being seen but more bucks. I’m happy they stopped the baiting 👍🏻 -aaron

[@joet1319]

Yes, they should have done it years ago

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@outdoorfamilytraditions9352 great feedback Aaron...really appreciate it!

[@nathanmcfetridge4780]

Awesome video man jw what parts of PA do you hunt

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Nathan...just West of Bradford...along the reservoir. Good luck!

[@henrykopchinski8240]

Great videos! What kind of back pack are you using?

[@davekamalas2537]

I think you find that there are very low pressure area of Michigan unless you go to the U.P and go deeper in the woods.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man Dave you would not believe the low pressure public land areas that I see all over the state when I visit clients...public land right next to theirs. Within an hour to 2 hours of anyone in the state...crazy how much there is! Really not kidding.

[@ZombieOnaStick21]

I've heard Dan Infalt say that he doesn't hunt many mornings because it's sort of unpredictable to whether the buck will already be back in his bed before it even gets light, especially the older bucks. I've got a few big beds picked out that would be very difficult to get close to in the afternoon. Mornings would be easier access but I just don't have enough experience with bed hunting to make an educated guess on if he'll already be there or not.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Randy! I would think Dan hunts a very select way that may not apply to most deer hunting activities on most lands? Really not sure tho...I do not follow, read or watch any other hunters strategies with the exception of my clients or friends. BUT, I can say that the majority of my bucks have been shot in the morning going back to the 80s. Highly predictable time to hunt them during all phases of the primary rut and secondary rut. Shot two again last year that way... For most folks morning hunting is their best bet for a mature buck. Highly defined movements, they move 3 times more during the daylight in morning hours, temps are optimum for movement and with mature bucks in open areas heavily during the morning hours during the rut, cruising and looking for does, rutting...very easy to slip in between or near bedding cruising areas. Morning hunting is without a doubt the best time to kill a mature buck during the rut on the majority of lands - public or private. Check out tomorrow's vid I have coming out. I detail the 14 largest bucks I have shot that are in the wall, "First Sit Monster Buck Strategy". I believe 8/14 were shot in the morning. When I add in the lesser bucks...that % grows greatly. There is a time and place where evening hunting is best...outside of the rut, hunting pinpoint public land or private land marsh bedding areas where morning access is impossible...but again, the majority of habitats morning will offer hunters the greatest chance of success. I can also say with my own experience and analyzing the hunts of nearly 900 clients...the evening hunts are the more random, least predictable times to hunt with the exception of gun and ML season food plot hunting...then the evening success % skyrockets 🙂

[@ZombieOnaStick21]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Sorry, I should have mentioned that this is mostly about early season public or somewhat pressured land. In my case the beds I found are on islands and lone trees in the marsh. Dan hunts a lot of specific beds in the early season with good success and I've heard him say before that he's kicked bucks out of the beds he is hunting while going in in the morning. Just trying to compare notes between a few knowledgeable and experienced people in this area. I can only read and watch so much stuff about it, the rest is up to my own observations too. Thanks for the detailed answer and I look forward to your video tomorrow!

[@ZombieOnaStick21]

​@@jonessoutdooradventures1152 Jeff and Dan have some of the best deer hunting content out there and I am in no way bashing either of them. My own observations are key but they have a lot of experience and good info that can help lead me and others in the right direction. I've learned a ton from both of them.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@ZombieOnaStick21 Randy...that sounds like Dan and I would be really on the same page for that specific area for sure...no doubt!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jonessoutdooradventures1152 I don't have time because this is what I live. I scout and hunt deer for a living and I do it at such a high level and with so many hours during the year (3000+), that I really don't care what others do? Kind of like a MLB hitter that hits at a very high level...they stay in their zone and ignore all others. I learn in the field. Most do not do this full time...or if they do they go to guides, outfitters, etc. Or are located in the fantasy land states. I learn thru experience which is by far the best teacher. This is what I do for my profession at a level that I'm not sure anyone else does in the country, thru God's blessing. Sounds like you aren't the type of quality individual I seek for a subscriber, in any way. So long...really don't need you or your poor attitude or subscription. Luck is made thru hard work and having a plan based on a wealth of experience...

[@jasonrhodes7047]

The harder you work the luckier you get.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, amazing how that works isn't it Jason!?

[@jasonrhodes7047]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions Yes sir!

[@oakironoutdoors2436]

I hope you guys have boundaries on the public hunt challenge, otherwise Infalt and Rentmeester will run all the way to Watersmeet MI to hunt. LOL

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, too funny! Have to be within driving distance of camp on a daily basis. That's it tho! The problem is that the further you drive the worse the hunting will be - to a point anyways 😉 That's all in sayn, lol

[@Spectator13444]

Any videos on when you should get out of your afternoon stand? Before or at dusk or when it's dark?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Terry check this video out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/an2pnqiwaKd1e6c Should help you out a lot and I hope that it makes sense.

[@gedudeoo5]

How old is that Treebark backpack you're sporting ?

[@jonathanmurray5644]

What would you say to some body with 10 acres or less. All I have is a small section of private that's good source of food but that's it.

[@rfb7117]

Jeff, Great comments. Please don't forget to let me know the am stands and how to enter. Getting some nice pic's on the cameras, just not a shooter yet. thanks, Bob

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Bob, thank you! I will do that...the red trails btw, are the access routes 😉 I would say typically the shooters start coming in the end of this month with any regularity...thru mid to late October. The more you work on the land like this the earlier they will come throughout the years, especially those older bucks that have grown up on your land during the Fall.

[@rfb7117]

Thanks, will look forward to the email.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@rfb7117 Something we always do the day of the visit but we talked too much 😉 So, hard to fit in during regular business hours...will get it to you tho.

[@rfb7117]

Thanks......I realize you are a busy busy guy. Thanks again for all the help, hoping for an opportunity on a nice one this season.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@rfb7117 I can't wait to hear about it Bob...really appreciate all the hard work you have already accomplished! In general if you have a good chance of spooking bedded deer when going in to hunt during the afternoon...it is a .morning stand. Food source movements stands near the food...are evening stands. Some are both which I will point out. Did you get all of your access routes in...the SW woods border access route, West border access, etc?

[@bulletsandbroadheads]

Great video buddy. Cover all scenarios. Season starts next week. Using alot of your tactics this year. Put out some videos on my KZbin channel and give you a shout out on the tips I took from you. Going to Indiana this November, sleeper state.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks man...really appreciate it! IN is an INCREDIBLE state!! Even the public land is hot. Bet you will have a blast I've seen some monster pics from client lands from deep down south. I also hunted in a few places on the 80s down there...wish I knew what I was doing them, lol. Good luck and I really appreciate the shoot out!

[@calebeadie8702]

What do you reccomend for trail cameras

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

This will be my 4th hunting season using Exodus Trail Cams. I love my the Lift II models! Here is a link to check them out... bit.ly/JSturgis 5 year warranty and I have had zero hunting season failures. 2" viewing screen, true HD video and extremely high quality. I am running up to 20 trail cams at one time and regardless of the B roll I need for videos...I rely on the trail cams heavily for learning buck behavior, in season census, buck home range and for making informed hunting decisions. OUTSTANDING trail cameras, after hundreds of thousands of pics and videos over 3 seasons I can highly recommend. I use the B roll exclusively in my videos ..

[@calebeadie8702]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks!

[@littlewoody5539]

Your not going control scent on public specially in Michigan .

[@shaungeidel3592]

I've looked at the Family Traditions website. I'm interested into getting one. Is their a retailer online where I could possibly purchase one?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Shaun, there is no online source...BUT, you can call Jack personally and ask him about them...tell him I sent you. If you do not have a dealer in the area he will ship to you from the factory. Their # is [phone]...Jack usually pics up!

[@micahvenable92]

whats the best strategy when i only have 5 acres and its all back yard against the woods? my neighbor hunts those woods sometimes. its legal to bait in my state so thats what iv been doing to pull deer in but my big bucks come 30 min b4 day light and hour or two after dark. sometimes they come b4 dark but i havent been able to figure out what causes them to do this sometimes and not the other. I know you have a busy schedule but do you have any tips? p.s im prepared for any kind of negative feedback on this post, im sure im going to get crucified.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@Subscriber I really appreciate you answering!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Micah that's a really tough one. I definitely would hunt during the rut tho!! Sounds like unless you have a small kill plot out back that would attract deer on a regular basis, you will have to rely on the rut. I would also make sure that you create some funnels through your woods, so that when deer travel thru you know exactly where they will be. A mock scrape with a camera on it would be perfect too...water of needed as well. Have you check out any of my chainsaw travel corridor vids? Very searchable on KZbin...

[@micahvenable92]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions Iv watched a lot of your videos from this year and last year.

[@micahvenable92]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions thank you for the reply I will definitely be hunting the rut.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@micahvenable92 nice...goo luck Micah!

[@Michigan_Highlifter]

Low pressure public land in mi is hard to find within 100 miles of me

[@xallthatremains8339]

You can still be successful you'll just have to go further into the woods than everyone else

[@Michigan_Highlifter]

@@xallthatremains8339 I think it's more of a game of chess I'd move where people from the city that come to the state land will jump the deer like an elaborate game of chess, last time we drove by on a day we tagged put early they're were cars parked for miles along road..

[@philgorski1418]

Are you goin out the first weekend of the opener in Wisconsin? Do you recommend goin out in the mornin openin weekend or waitin?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Phil! I will definitely not be going out in the morning in my area just because I hunt such small parcels and the buck movement is random right now. Could have a great chance of spooking the bucks that are moving a lot more predicably in the evening. Not saying I won't hunt a morning during the first few weeks...but very selectively. I will hit the first cold front evening on opening day or later. Especially with my wife the first weekend if the weather is good!

[@jonessoutdooradventures1152]

Go! It ups your chances being out there as much as you can. Just remember not the same trail in and out over and over and keep everything scent free as possible. You will have harvest time and time again. Mornings are just as good as evenings.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jonessoutdooradventures1152 great hunters know that less is more. I tell people if they want to shoot a couple of big bucks in their lifetime...go as often as possible. BUT, if hunters want to shoot a couple big big bucks every season...learn how to be extremely selective in your sits or those prime time sits never happen. I also tell folks that when hunters are recommending that they hunt as often as they can...to ask to see their wall 😉 I show you my wall tomorrow, in my "First Sit For Monster Bucks" strategy, detailing many of my best first sit bucks going back to the early 90s. Less is more when it comes to shooting big bucks consistently...

[@dickblackbeard5752]

Best strategy is time in the stand.

[@milktruck9345]

How i keep deer from getting shot bye other people when my 36 acres has only 6 acres of woods and is touched bye another farm that is over a hundred. But multiple people hunt that farm and set up near property line against mine.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

By creating great bedding right next to them...and food as far as you can grow it away from their parcel lines and on the opposite side of your cover. Convert the 28 acres to deer and wildlife habitat 😉 actually easy to do within a year if you have the resources of time and money. Less money than time!

[@milktruck9345]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you i will have to try. The bedding it has one really good one on it they cant see and is near thier property line. Its a natural one made up of thorn bushes.

[@milktruck9345]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 property is leased to a farmer who puts corn or soybeans on the open field every year.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@milktruck9345 that sounds really good!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@milktruck9345 if you can ever get it out of the farmers hands and into the deer habitat you could probably increase your deer success by several times. I know how that goes tho!

[@randlerichardson5826]

I thought I’d done watched this one but I guess not.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hope you liked it Randle, need to keep up 😁

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions lolllllll yep I like all your videos brother. Stay cool feels like 96 here today GOD BLESS.

[@HammerOutdoors1978]

Great video. Never worried about sint cover back in the day. Now I know it's a very important part of the game.

[@randlerichardson5826]

The 28th of this month it’s on here brother. I’ve been working like a beaver here round our house trying to get caught up on my honey do list so I’ll be free to disappear in GODS country soon.