bobo21

If you were given 20 acres of hunting property and had to share it with two other people how would you set it up for hunting? We have been allowed to hunt a slice of land equaling 20 acres. It is surrounded by hundres of other acres that is also hunted but not to much pressure (I Think). Below is a sketch of the land how would you set it up. The back 10 is very thick with woods and the two creeks the front 10 is split by a field and pond and a cabin. Let me know deer are killed by neighboring properties but we want to get them on our property and keep them there. 20 acres is not a lot to do this with so what's your thoughts.

farmcntry

I'd do a lot of scouting and go from there. That back 10 may be your best bet, however, you need to pattern the deer and see what is going on.

If you start now, that 20 acres may be your "honey hole" next season.

longbowman

I don't want to sound flipant but if I was in your situation I would scout hard and only hunt when the other two weren't. I have 100 acres of prime hunting land right behind my home and I can tell when the actual land owner decides he's going to hunt that day just by the deer movement. I don't konw if waiting to have it to yourself is an option but I've learned that the best bowhunting comes in the kind of weather that most people stay home in. Good luck.

Tazman

bobo there is no way you will keep deer in a 20 acre area unless you high fence it. What you need to do is provide them with reasons to at a minimum have them visit often. Food plots will help a lot, concentrate on plants that will be ready when the season kicks in. Another thing that will help is if one does not really exist is a bedding area, the thicker the better, it doesn't have to be big, just thick, if there isn't one then try creating one from native species as close to the center of your property as possible.

TFOX

I would like to add that with only 20 acres and 3 people that the ground needs to be hunted VERY SPARINGLY or the deer will leave and not come back.Try hunting it very early in the season and not going back untill the pre rut starts to kick in.They will figure you out pretty quick so you really need to hunt EXTRA smart in this area.Multiple stand locations is a must but with 3 people and only 20 acres you really are going to have a hard time with that.Maybe changing locations every time you hunt.I wouldn't spread out over the whole thing everytime you hunt either.You would most likely be better off trying to stay in the same grid with the other hunters and rotate all 3 of you about every 2 weeks or so.Of course I don't mean to hunt the same spot or trail but try to stay in the same general area.


More food for thought.

bobcat 10

if i was you i would put out a salt lick and a feeder to get them patterned to your spot real good then go from there...

liquidorange

create one or 2 salt lick or mineral areas. use like 4 or 5 bags of the cheap bags of solar salt you get at the home depot or wal mart. refresh when needed. make some small food plots in the fall if at all possible. i like to use a 10$ a bag winter rye cover crop . you can get it from a feed and seed type store. you can almost just throw that stuff on the ground but i prefer to clean up the area a little with a rake or if you got an atv that will help. put out feeders if you can. if you have neighboring lands competing for the deer just work at changing things in you odds. GOOD LUCK!

Clint.

I have 70 acres and I'm trying to figure out how to keep the deer on my property. Let me know how you do if you succeed! Taz is right...you might need a high fence.

Clint

isatarak

I would say take turns hunting it. Overhunting will "burn" it out, especially if there in not much hunting pressure on the surrounding land.

I have 40 acres that I hunt along with a hunting buddy. We also have another place we hunt. The deer never leave the place but will get real nocturnal if you hunt it too hard and especially by the end of gun season.

Belle Island

I know a guy that has killed 5 P&Ys on a 20acre parcel. HOWEVER, that was in Illinois where you still have truely free roaming whitetails. His 20 acres was just part of a much long draw that big bucks like to cruise down during the rut. So, it is possible to be successful on 20 acres, BUT in most areas of the county you would run the deer out of there after the first few hunts.