Hunting deep drainage ditches?

[Ridgerunner7]

Just wondering if you guys could help me out. I hunt in Jackson Co. The area I hunt has the deep drainage ditches with crop fields up top. Had trouble this year getting close to big bucks. Should I be setting up on the edges, or should I try to get down along the ridge, or maybe even in a small field where it opens up on the bottom. I had trouble getting too far into the ridge because the deer would spot me, especially once the leaves fell. There is an abandoned field overgrown to my waste inbetween two ditches set way back that deer cross regularly, but they cross in random spots and it's tuff to get close and not busted. I'm new to this type of terrain so I thought I'd ask. Thanks for the help.

 

[PointBlank]

Hard to tell without seeing it, but a lot of times you will find a heavy trail at the very bottom of the ditch where it levels out a bit. It creates a very natural funnel. I have had good hunts in similar places druing the rut when bucks are cruising side hills and are funneled to the bottom to cross the ditch.

 

[Daver]

I agree with what PointBlank has already said, but here are couple more thoughts...

If you own the land or can otherwise affect the terrain in a significant manner, then make them a nice place to cross the deep ditch. Now you know where they are going to cross 95% of the time. Depending, this may be able to be done by hand/shovel or it might take a dozer or something. The beauty of this approach is that you can locate the crossing near a good stand tree(s), keeping mind good entry/exit routes and likely wind directions, etc.

By the sounds of it, the other thing I would consider is mowing a path through the CRP/brushy field. If they are already crossing, but in a random manner, gently "affect" the terrain with a "easy" path and they will very likely follow it. If you mow it they will come!

Combined with that, I have had success clearing a small amount of brush/limbs/etc right at the edge of field that they are already crossing. Make a nice easy entry/exit into/out of field/timber edge and they will often use it with more frequency. Give them a path of least resistance that suits you in terms of location.

 

[jkratz5]

Yep I like the above responses, we have also had some success near the bottoms of such areas where it flattens out, usually it funnels up pretty tight and you can set yourself up on a great spot. I also like the mowing idea, not only for ease of getting in and out but to put the deer on a more routine path, that was an excellent point.

 

[Ridgerunner7]

How do you guys get down the ridge to the bottom without being detected. Especially later on in the season when the leaves fall you can see clear across a ridge.

 

[Daver]

Generally speaking, I would come in from below using the dry creek bed as my approach route. I have been known to go out this time of year with my chainsaw and clear all of the limbs and trees cluttering the creek bed too, so I don't make any noise. This also helps for spring turkey hunting, allowing a sneak path or two if you need it.

If the creek bank is steep and requires a bunch of commotion or exertion to climb it, then take your shovel too and make a few steps or footholds so you can easily climb it when you need to. I've even driven stakes into the ground to have something to keep me from sliding.

 

[SCOFFIN]

I hunt a similar area and can confirm that if you can get to where it flattens out and opens up, that is a great place to be. I've found that most of the time the deer are bedded in the far back ends, so I'll walk the ridge top until I'm even with my stand, then head down hill. I've also walked completely around the ridge and came in from the flat end as well. Although the time difference from truck to stand is about 30 minutes going that route.

However, I did discover this year that as Winter comes along, the deer will hang out on the tops. It's much colder in the bottom and they will abandon it for the warmer temps on top along with all the food up there (acorns and such).

Plus you have this working for you. You have another 9+ months to get out and scout to help with this decision when the season opens again.