Need some help? unprepared

So its deer season here and between work and school I had no time to scout for deer. I have no idea what trails deer are using or anything. So can anyone tell me where deer might filter as far as where at on a hill? Ive got steep woodland hills on my property where do you think they will be crossing?

Also it is so thick right now you cant set up and watch. currently my stands on top of a hill between two thickets

 

Your in the south so find some acorns and water. That is my game plan and I see them every time I go out. Getting in the right spot is harder on land I have never hunted before.

 

Unfortunately my hunting property with water is being hunted on by family. Next week I should get a chance there and I've got a few good spots in mind. As far as near my house I've ben in a tee a few times but keep seeing the same doe and fawn. I'm thinking I'm going to move down in this field by a road where I see deer at. And ambush them from behind hay bells. Its going to be a tough bow season for sure.

 

You should go man. Its expensive to start so go with a friend to see if you like it.
unfortunately in tn you can't bait during season. It is more fun this way anyways.

 

You probably have a good start there already. Deer will often choose the natural funnel areas such as a valley between hills rather than climb over the hills. Or through a section of broken down fence rather than jump it every time.

That is unless something else (like their discovering you) forces them to change the pattern.

 

X2

 

Im over here in SW VA so i know the terrain you are talkin about and I am having the same problem tryin to pattern them. seems like it is random at best honestly. I have seen them at 10 30 walkin straight down a mountain and I have seen them at daylight bedding down on top of a small ridge. Best I can tell you from experience is try and find a small bench or flat finger coming off a ridge. have found the most trails there and have been tryin to hunt that. Its where I have got my only shot so far this year.

I talked to dad today and he is up in the northern part of the state and he has been hunting the laurels right near a creek and has seen 20+ deer in the past 3 days. only problem is it is nearly impossible to get a shot through that stuff. might be somethin to look at for you though if you have a creek or somethin runnin through the property. I think im gonna try that tactic here this next week and see if i have anymore luck

 

If you plan to bait and wait... that's not hunting. If that's your plan, you might as well stalk out a cow in a local farmers field.

Frank

 

thank you sir. i hate that. i tried huntin a food plot once on some private land but it wasnt nearly as rewarding to shoot one. Could I tag out every year using bait? Sure. At the end of the season would i feel like I actually learned or accomplished anything? hell no. Every deer i shoot i know I earned it through many many miles of walking and even more hours sitting 25 feet up in a tree.

I found a homemade baiter out on public land this year while squirrel huntin and we will just say it no longer works as well as it was intended to. there was a stadnd not 30 yards from it but i chose not to mess with that because them things aint cheap.