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Here is a very successful spring planting of corn; over 8 feet tall. Check out the patch of woods in the middle foreground. Perfect spot for a ground blind or small ladder stand during firearms season, especially in the afternoon or on overcast days.
During this trip I searched for natural foods and feeding activity. According to conservation agents mast production may be low this year because of the late freeze in April, so I focused on other natural sources combined with crops. Wet springs usually mean good growth of natural vegetation. I try to find areas where growing crops are adjacent to natural forbs (weeds) that deer desire. Several natural foods are rich in nutrients and are actually preferred by deer over crops at certain times of the year. Corn provides a good food source during the silking stage during the summer. This is usually first evidenced at the outside edge of fields. Deer eat soybeans heavily when they are tender and just as corn; the seeds provide forage after harvest. Also, I look for perennial foods along the edge of crop fields and cover. Several farms may have been pastured in the past and remnants of legumes such as clover or vetch remain along the edges of fields or fence lines. Blackberries and honeysuckle are great too. This may prove very beneficial for me during bow season. I try to find areas that provide a combination of food sources for deer during all seasons. I’ve noticed that these properties have been consistent for holding deer since I began scouting in this method. This clover is growing along a fence line between a corn field and CRP area. This particular fence line is also a good travel corridor on the downwind side of a good bedding area for doe.
Some of the first signs of deer feeding on growing corn starting to silk. Plants on the outer edge mature a little faster (more sunlight and room for growth).
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