When a big buck shows up on your cameras, is it better to hunt it in the morning or the afternoon? Dan hunts in the mountains of Western Maryland, where baiting is legal, and he and his family often use apples, planted cereal rye, and corn to keep deer on their property. Apples are especially effective, since the area once held vast orchards, and deer are used to the soft mast.
Morning Stand Strategies
Dan’s dilemma faces most hunters in the early season when hunting in the morning, especially if you are hunting near a food source. You not only have to work with wind directions, but your physical presence may spook deer from the area. Although it may seem counterintuitive, one effective way to approach a backcountry stand is with a UTV, especially if the property frequently experiences vehicle traffic. Drone studies have shown that deer become alert to the presence of a UTV, and may become alarmed, but soon resume regular activity once it has passed.
The First Morning Attempt
I talked to Dan last Wednesday, and he was frustrated about his morning hunt. He had to rise at 3:00 am to reach his stand in the mountains and arrived around 6:00 am, well before daylight. As the morning progressed, two small bucks came to feed, but his larger target buck did not. Later, he examines his digital images and sees that his target buck was at his stand when he arrived. The deer was spooked and did not return like the younger bucks.
Baiting Basics
Baiting in Pennsylvania is illegal on the theory that concentrating deer can help spread disease among the herd. Maryland allows baiting, and hunters use corn, apples, minerals, and other attractants. Feeding devices are ideal since they dispense a small amount of food in the morning and afternoon, providing a convenient way to administer food. However, in Western Maryland, bear populations are so high that many feeders are destroyed, whether they are on the ground or hung from a tree. Also, it’s the consensus of our dozens of hunt club members that mature bucks do not feed at sites during the day and are typically seen only at night. Ear corn is a viable alternative because it lasts longer and is less likely to be consumed quickly by turkeys and raccoons.
Evening Success
Three days after his initial morning set, Dan switched to an afternoon strategy. He spotted the three bucks still hanging together as they passed by the stand out of range. “It’s interesting to see what the deer prefer as a food source. Sometimes, they nibble at the rye; other times, they like the corn, and some like apples. Just before dark, the big 10-point returned to the apples, and Dan made a lethal shot.
