How To Create Spook Free Deer Hunting Access

To be able to access your deer hunting land without spooking deer, you first have to define how the deer move on the land. Once the deer movements have been defined and created on the private land that you hunt, or scouted and recognized on the public land that you hunt, then you can set up a strategy for accessing the land without spooking deer. The best deer hunting strategies allow you to move in and out of the land that you hunt without spooking deer, because the deer should rarely be located in those access points.

[@suzmell1]

I think this video in my opinion is one of your best at least for me accessing your property as if the deer your hunting have guns how would you try to approach your stand I’m sure it wouldn’t be hap hazedely instead you would approach in a stealth mode slow & precise almost heel to toe walking in that is one of the things Jeff brought to my attention makes all the sense in the hunting world to me no one wants to be shot by a deer think about it

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

So so true Paul, thanks! Really, if deer had guns hunters would hunt so incredibly different. At least the few that want to stay alive 🙂

[@lucianoguerra195]

What do you plant for screening in the South

[@shawnb789]

Good info. People over look these facts a bunch. Unless you're just lucky all the time, access is key. Entry and exit, equally important.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It sure is! Hunters always talk about access, but truly it is not a highly practiced are. So critical tho...

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

great info Jeff, what you had drawn on that plan is what I want to do with my property as far as putting an access trail all around the perimeter of my property. That way depending on the way the wind is blowing I could just walk around the trail blowing my scent into the adjoining property.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That works so well...it is incredible! You then develop that core area that equals a true sanctuary.

[@racinhunter]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions how do you keep deer from using you access trail instead of the travel corridor

[@strikeforcek9149]

@@racinhunter the access areas are usually very short, not cut down all nice and neat, and they're usually implemented in a way that they're not to or from anywhere of importance that deer would begin to want to start using for travel. I'm nowhere near on Jeff's/Geoff's(?) level, but that's what I've gathered from all the setups I've seen. Creating clever and carefully planned access points are just as important, if not more, than everything else.

[@arupert2007]

Man, I love your channel... even though I live in Texas and your content is directed at Northern deer, your delivery on how you teach is awesome.....keep up the good work. Would love to see some videos on calls, scents, rattling, etc. Thanks again.

[@jasonsnyder6045]

for land that doesnt have AG, such as much of the land in the south east, dominated by pine plantations, there is no AG land to send them to. the food plots in the pine plantations become the "AG land", no? . in my experience, they hit food plots at feeding 3, then 4, and 5. would you keep the design "inside out" like youve recommended for AG land parcels, with no where to send them? love your channel, and stories of hunting during your teens (when there were no trail cameras or light ladder stands)-brings back good memories-keep up the great work!

[@deercamp3479]

I love these specific examples! So helpful! Keep em coming! Do the UP whitetails really get that big😂❗️that deer is something special for the UP. Still looking for one that big. Keep these examples coming thanks!!!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot David! Ha, yes...some get a lot bigger 🙂 BUT, man they don't come into bait too much...not that YOU bait but it almost makes it easier to shoot a buck like that if folks are baiting, and you are not. That equals very fee locations that he feels safe during the hours of daylight. We shot 6 more yesterday and then I still have 3 finished from the last shoot...LOTS more to come!

[@deercamp3479]

True! Those bucks are pretty rare but when you find one that to me is the ultimate challenge. Despite finally owning my own land I still love and will continue chasing those public land bucks! Tough winter in the Up this past winter hope some good bucks made it ! Thanks for your reply!

[@deercamp3479]

The limiting factor to having success at least for me is time! To find one or two and then figure out their movements from bedding to bait piles and natural food can be hard if you don’t have the time. It sure is fun to figure it out though and nail one when he doesn’t have a clue you are set up on him!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@deercamp3479 what works extremely well David is to located some great funnels...remote, hard to access...GREAT history of sign. And then quick scout looking for mature buck sign in November and then hunt the current mature buck sign...

[@deercamp3479]

Thanks for that great advice! I need to explore some more remote areas and not keep going to the same old spots. I know the “Michigan gone wild “ crew have had some good luck hunting those vast remote swamp/bog areas in northern lower Michigan. Those edges obviously make great funnels. To me the scouting is almost as much fun as the hunting. Again thanks for your advice. Will let you know how it goes!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great video brother as always. Very informative video just like all your videos. GOD BLESS you and your family Amen. Be safe out there. Deer season is round the corner. It will be here before we know it. I thank the hay cutting is bout done on my lease I’m fixing to get plots put in and stands put up. Thank you for sharing this info you took time out of your day to share it with us. Thank you again GOD BLESS Amen.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Randle...stay busy and enjoy the outdoors!

[@brianzappala7971]

Hi Jeff, really good video. Much appreciated. I was wondering what type of switch grass you like to plant. Thanks Brian Zappala

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Brian thanks a lot! Cave in Rock is perfect for this area. Make sure not to use any special blends...just the straightest, tallest variety for your area.

[@buckmahon8458]

Another 14 mins of knowledge thanks!!! How many acres of food plots did you have out of the 400 acres? Was there a lot of ag around for night time feedings 4 and 5?

[@notinacorner592]

Great video Jeff! Does switch grass "spread" away from where originally planted such as getting on the neighbor?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It spreads from very little to nothing at all. For one it can not take any weed competition so even if seeds drop they often find soil that is not hospitapal for regeneration. Very safe to plant and not reach into your neighbors land 🙂

[@notinacorner592]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@notinacorner592 you are welcome Jimi!

[@jowhi9296]

More and more I wish I had this tablet instead of my map markers lmao. Good video! You mentioned shade not bothering switch but then shade and competition being the killer of switch. Do you mind explain sir? Thanks as always Joe

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Joe, ha, I like the iPad a lot!! Shade doesn't let switch grow, at all...

[@randlerichardson5826]

We call that grass around here Johnson grass.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, and that Johnson grass actually stays up all winter around you too!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions yes sir it’s tougher than a pine knot to. Have a great day brother GOD BLESS.

[@urbanbowhunter3094]

I'm hunting private land. The land owner won't allow food plots or planting anything. I have a stand on top of a small ridge . Would you suggest walking the center of the ridge to the stand . Or should I walk up the back side of the ridge to the stands . Thanks

[@maritchie24]

I understand your use of switch grass for open access areas. What would you use for woods/lower light portions of the route? hinge cutting, plant shrubs/pines? or do you clean out the fenceline very well so that it doesn't become a travel corridor?

[@randyh.6019]

More great content Jeff, thanks wonder is there a variety of switchgrass that is more shade tolerant than others? Or overall how shade tolerant is switchgrass? Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Randy, thank you very much! ! Switchgrass is very intolerant of shade...shade/competition is the death of all switchgrass...

[@rickbaker5559]

Jeff will deer eat switch crass nice gun

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

thanks Rick and no, which is a good thing 🙂

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother. I’m just gettin caught up on videos tonight. I’m late as usual. Better late than never I reckon.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hello Randle! For sure...always good to hear from you

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions it’s good to see your videos. I learn something new on every one. Hay cuttin is bout over for now on my lease I’m fixing to put a couple plots in very soon. Thanks again GOD BLESS.

[@richardchristner4895]

Thanks for the videos Jeff I've been watching a lot of them lately. I've used Egyptian wheat and sudan grass screens for access cover and to direct deer movement on my primary residence parcel the last couple of years which has been fun. This year I acquired a new parcel that presents some fun challenges. One of which is that it is primarily wooded. I plan to access from edges of the parcel, but unfortunately I don't have elevations changes hide movement. Also, in some of the area there is not much for understory or briers (will be working on that). Short of pushing up berms, hinge cutting trees/piling brush anything I am missing to hide access?

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

I continue to enjoy your work and have implemented many of your concepts on my New Jersey 22 acres. The results have been magical. Thanks Cris

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man I love to hear that Cris!! The entire reason why I have this channel so your feedback is highly appreciated

[@bradlybrisson5700]

great video! I tried purchasing the 3 e-books for 50$ on your website but couldnt because of my location here in Canada. Anyway around that?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Actually I'm not sure? Can you contact my wife Disney? She is the book expert 🙂 [e-mail] Let her know that I wanted you to check with her

[@bradlybrisson5700]

Will do thanks for the advice ill send her an email shortly :)

[@meyerske1]

Awesome video, Jeff! What short and long term maintenance do you suggest for switchgrass?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Kurt! If switch is planted and weeds are chemically controlled...in particular thru frost seeding and pre and post planting chemicals...then I have seen switch that is 10 years old that is extremely strong. Simazine can be used prior to spring green up the following Spring after planting. Buying can take place if needed every several years. BUT, if planted correctly there is very little maintenance needed...

[@CraftOutdoors_est2014]

Hey Jeff! Would you have any advice on how to apply this in an area where hounds are used to hunt and neighbors letting dogs run loose, if you have dealt with that?? I'm always having neighbors' dogs blowing my deer out. They come back but stay nocturnal and very sensitive to pressure. Thank you in advance! Could possibly be a good topic for a video....

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Not that is a tough topic! Dogs have a huge way of ruining good lands. Of course hound hunters will not say that but as someone who ran up to 7 beagles of my own...they 100% do, and it can destroy a parcel for several days or more. That being said, all that you can do is to try to maintain those core areas on your land for them to travel back to. Also...dog control! Contact neighbors, local law enforcement, whatever. I have been on the road in front of the house in the UP with my finger in the face of bear hound runners...them telling me they can go get their dogs on my land for the protection of the dogs if the treed bear comes down and fights. Nope! They just stopped running in the area... It really is tough...

[@CraftOutdoors_est2014]

Thank you Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@CraftOutdoors_est2014 I hope that it helps!

[@FL1911]

what seed of switch grass do you recommend?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It depends on where you live, but most of MN, WI, MI, PA, NY and the north 1/2 of OH, IN, IL and Iowa....Cave In Rock. O get mine from John Komp at www.northwoodswhitetails.com

[@FL1911]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions Norther KY, South OH...

[@HillbillyC]

So being in north central WV with little to no agg land does that change things. Meaning should I try to provide a few plots of food to boost growth? My property has a lot of large stands of oaks and open woods with a couple fields on the edges.

[@neilbygd4228]

What app are you using to create and draw your plans over the aerial photos?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Neil, it's an old Samsung tablet with a power point presentation. I'm surprised it is still working 🙂

[@Howlin23]

What application do you use to make those maps for clients?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That's just an old Polaris PowerPoint program on an old Samsung tablet...over 7 years old. It would be the same as any other drawing type app...I have had other tablets and a MacBook, but this is my favorite still

[@dangoble697]

do you use your electric bike to access your stand when you at hunting