5 WAYS TO REDIRECT DEER TRAVEL PATTERNS

Several years ago, I wrote an article for this magazine called “Right Place, Right Time” (January 2011 Deer & Deer Hunting). The basic theme was hunting where deer actually are, not where you want them to be. The gist of the article was to more accurately read and heed sign and to rely less on preconceived notions. That makes it possible to discover corridors deer prefer to travel instead of those sites that are convenient to you or simply feel “right” — which are sometimes the same thing. I tried to encourage a more careful examination of how you approach stand placement by becoming more strategically involved, instead of relying on blind luck or questionable gut feelings.

On a macro level, that approach is sound, if for no other reason than igniting curiosity and having a proactive approach while seeking productive stand sites you might have overlooked or ignored. Trouble appears on the micro level, especially for bowhunters, who