Stand placement on Field edge

[SCOFFIN]

I need some advice on stand placement for hunting a field edge. I've never really hunted field edges before and now have access to land that has one.. I assume you don't want to sit in a tree that is right in the fence line of the field, unless it's a good gnarly tree that breaks up your outline. Otherwise, I assume you want to be a tree or two inside the fence and cut some good shooting lanes to the field? Then I'm curious how you place your stands. Do you place them horizontal to the field edge or pointing at it? I would assume horizontal gives you the best concealment for a deer walking along the fence line while still giving you a great shot too the field (as well as inside the timber if needed.. Please let me know if my assumptions are wrong or shoot me what set-up's have worked best for you in the past. I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[josh macfarland]

I like to be in a tree or two in the woods. Hide in a good tree that brakes your out line. Cut openings but leave plenty if branches around the opening that will hide you when you draw back or stand up. Make sure your able to shoot inside the timber. A lot of deer travel 30 to 40 yds inside the woods.

I had a stand on a field edge for 3 yrs. I killed a lot if deer there.hope this helps.
Good luck

arrow flinger

 

[Blaster]

Like Josh said find a good spot back in the woods. Deer like to use the cover to move. Also find trails coming from bedding areas and hunt them.

 

[Liv4Rut]

Granted every field is different on how the deer move into it but what I like to do is first figure out how the deer are entering the field. If I know that. I will set up about 30 to 50 yards or so down from where the deer are entering the field. It doesn't really matter if I am right on the edge or a couple trees in. I would prefer to be right on the edge granted the biggest thing is having a good tree with great cover. If you have that, it really doesn't matter where you sit.

I would then hunt it with a wind so the wind is actually blowing back in the timber away from where the deer are coming out at. I do not want my wind to blow out in the field at all to risk the does eventually getting down wind before the bucks come out. Most fields I hunt the deer will not come out in many areas of the field simply because it isn't close to where they bed. Usually most will come out in the corners or certain areas of the field.

If you want to kill a big buck though, I would be setting about 50 yards in from the inside corner of the field where the timber makes the bend. Those bucks cruise those corners like crazy during the rut. Even in the mornings they are killer as bucks cruise that corner since it is the shortest distance from one end of the timber to the other.

I would probably observe the area a few days and try to get a handle on how the deer actually enter the field. That is always your best bet before you try to hang a stand on them.

 

[Daver]

I have had success in field edge stands in a few different areas over time. From my point of view it is the best way to use a decoy too.

I prefer to be "back" a couple of yards in from the edge of the timber OR if that is not possible, then I look for a tree on the very edge that has large, screening branches in front of me. I feel too exposed sitting on the very edge tree with nothing in front of me.

My ideal scenario is a multi-trunked tree and I will set the stand on the trunk away from the very edge. That way I have a whole trunk in front of me. I think many times a big buck will stand back in the timber for a few minutes surveying a big field before stepping out into it and having some cover in front of me will help him not to see me across the way scratching my nose, etc.

One step further...I like getting out towards the edge of the field particularly where there is a point of timber extending out into the field. Better yet, pick a point in the field that has an "opposing" point on the other side of the field. Bucks often cross in these areas and will linger for a moment just inside the timber edge before crossing the bare ground between points.

 

[JakeWym]

Like Liv said. It is best to find how they are entering the field, and set up 50-100 yards downwind from that main tail. Big bucks seldom use a main trail unless they are tailing a hot doe. Otherwise, they will a lot of times travel a trail that is parallel to the main trail so that they can scent check it.

 

[loneranger]

Only problem with field edge,,getting down in evening without spooking deer that may be out in the field. I have a spot like this. Bucks checking during the day is good though.

 

[ironwood]

I love field edges. Every edge is different but one thing for sure they create variations in the prevailing winds. Most of the time I get a lift of my scent because of the eddie or up lift as the wind clears the tree line blowing to the open field. I have one spot that is perfet for SE in the PM for this reason and in the AM with a NW I get a great thermal lift, as the terain drops to the south at this tree. I have rarely been busted in this spot with many successful encounters. Live and learn. I love this sport.