Who else likes to "improve" deer trails?

[ninepointer]

I've been known to do some strategic pruning to keep deer trails clear, convenient & attractive to hoofed travellers. But yesterday I was greeted with a pleasant surpise that I hadn't counted on. While with my family for a shed hunt, I noticed that a shooting lane which I had 2 years ago cleared from the woods to a field has now become a well-used exit/entry point. I could see why; its the only opening in the thick brush along a long stretch of field edge. I've already picked out the new tree in which to hang my stand!

Every little bit helps. But of course you and I both know that when the time comes, 75% of any deer that show up will come from behind me and on my wrong shooting side !

[Normous]

Find two trees (his and hers) so Queenbee can shoot 75% of the deer.

[Bullzeye]

Yup, deer like to take the easiest way through the woods. At my buddies farm I also make it easier for the deer to get over or through barb wire fences by tying the top and bottom strands together which raises the lower wire and lowers the top wire. Does not take the deer to long to start crossing there.

[one shot scott]

I do it all the time and it usually works

[frisky]

I find that the deer use the same trail that I use to get to my stand!! I have to look over my shoulder.

[bugs]

You will just have to move the blind in front of the stand becuase we know they are always next to the blind.

[j.krug]

I've trimmed back a couple strategic entry points into my fields and the deer use them pretty regularily now. A little persuasion never hurts.

[Bullzeye]

I know a guy that had cut real long shooting lanes and then planted them with clover. He says it works fantastic.

[papa bear1]

In the timber on my place, I have cut trails and drug a log w/tractor to make trails, and it took about 2 wks. for the deer to start useing it . Now it is a regular route to feeding/bedding area's Now all i do is keep it groomed about every 3 yrs. Was a lot of work but it has paid off.

Dave

[wabi]

I use the landowner's tractor & bush hog to keep several trails clear.

Have done this for years and the deer don't always use those trails in their travels to the food plot & feeder location, but almost always use those trails as an escape route when an arrow has gone through them.


I'd say the 4' wide trails get heavy nocturnal use and those that go along the border of woods and fields often have scrape lines along them.

[sumner4991]

Nothing like a well placed hole in the fence . . . .

[Ont_Excal]

I do very little to improve deer trails.
I do more to guide them to the trail I want them to use!

[VixChix]

A couple of days ago I was talking to the landowner of the one small piece of property we hunt on. He's had some health challenges but after some surgeries is better and is taking firewood out of the bush for the first time in years. It was getting pretty thick so i'm looking forward to seeing if this helps any.

[axiluc]

I always make trails to give the deer a highway to my apples then,they take the highway to deer heaven

[koko]

How come it didn't work for me.
Two years ago I started hunting this spot. I saw where the deer were coming through and I pruned it back some. I had a tree stand up all of last years archery season.So one week end this year I went up and started opening the trail wider for the deer to come through. I even had some deer minerals and corn on the ground along the trail. I was going to put up my tree stand the next week. I go up the next week only to find a trail camera on the path and a ladder stand up about 30 yards from where my stand was up last year. I did all the work and somebody moved right in. I think somebody saw my stand last year and just didn't want me to sit there this year. Go find your own trail and do your own pruning. That has happened to me more than once already and not just on this property. I don't own the land so I don't say anything.