Big Bucks and Frosted Flakes

Late-season deer seek food and shelter; a standing cornfield is one of the best protein sources.  Normally, the crop has gone the way of Tony the Tiger and has been processed for human or animal food.  However, heavy rain can prevent the harvest because farmers can’t use the heavy equipment needed to pick the crop.  By January, the corn stalks lose some concealment characteristics, yet the high protein ears are still standing.

Evening over Morning

Most hunting experts recommend afternoon and evening hunts in late season for several reasons.  First, deer are likely to be in a food source at dawn and approaching in the dark can spook game and contaminate the area with scent.  Secondly, weather conditions are usually harsh making it difficult to remain still and focused.  Finally, deer seem to be more active in afternoon and evening as your trail cameras may show.  Plus, by entering in early afternoon, you can scout fresh deer sign and tweak you game plan to match recent deer movements.

Narrow the Field

Hunting a cornfield is like fishing a lake.  Certain spots are better than others and you want to analyze deer movements based on tracks, corn waste on the ground, and lingering rut activity.  The primary rut may be over in your area, yet mature bucks will still be searching for any does that didn’t breed in the first estrous cycle and yearlings that will breed for the first time in January.

Box Blind Precautions

A good friend invited me to hunt on his farm and use one of the enclosed box blinds.  Located on the edge of a standing corn field, the stand was built for rifle hunting, yet had two excellent shooting lanes where deer would likely travel within 40 yards, a chip-shot with my TenPoint Viper 430 crossbow.  The blind had been used by multiple hunters through the Pennsylvania rifle season and, apparently, had drawn some notice as one doe spotted me sitting in the blind through heavy brush at 75 yards.  I was perfectly still, yet she noticed a difference in the blind, perhaps that I had the window open.  I once used a climbing tree stand near a permanent stand, thinking that deer would focus on the normal hunting spot.  I bagged a buck skirting the area with its eye’s laser focused on the permanent stand.

Box Blind Pros and Cons

This was the view from the south window, and I expected deer to enter the corn from right to left.  Of course, three does and a buck sneaked in from behind me and one offered a shot.  The stock of the bow rubbed against my puffy jacket as I raised the bow, and the deer heard the sound immediately.  It didn’t snort, but moved quickly away, my one chance for the evening.  Box blinds are comfortable and reasonably warm in winter weather, yet in late season, deer may be aware of the danger and pass them on high alert.

A big snowstorm is predicted for this weekend, and I’ll be in that same area tomorrow night.  Despite the comfort and concealment of this blind, I’ll take my chances on the ground.