Post season survey strategies without bait?

[Chipdasqrrl]

Starting this year, it is illegal to feed deer in Michigan. I’ve always liked putting a camera over some corn or beets in December to see what bucks survived the season, but now I need to find something else.
What’s a good strategy to take inventory on what deer are on your property without the use of food? I can’t get a food plot to last until winter so that won’t work either.
Thanks

 

[PineSapJunky]

According to Bowriter every deer known to man uses a licking branch year round. Might want to try starting one. All you need is a saw and some Jiffy extra crunchy.

 

[catscratch]

I would suggest a licking branch.. that's my go-to anyway. Another option is finding a well used trail.

 

[weekender21]

I’m hoping to get pictures on my cereal rye plot and trails this year. Not many winter pictures last year. I have an extremely high stem count due to logging and I assume that is the primary food source January through March.


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[Native Hunter]

I'm guessing that the change also includes mineral licks, because that would be the next obvious choice. A little salt and grape coolaid will bring them right in to the camera.

If minerals can't be used, I would go with what catscratch said. For the trails you would be better off at intersections and pinch point type features. Good luck.

 

[Sir Miss A Lot]

Mock scrapes are great for getting a catalog of deer. There is a host of ingredients to use in a scrape dripper, Vanilla, Anise oil, urine, it all works. I would still plant a plot of some type.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I’m hoping to get pictures on my cereal rye plot and trails this year. Not many winter pictures last year. I have an extremely high stem count due to logging and I assume that is the primary food source January through March.


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I second the cereal rye plot, in late winter when all of the food is gone in zone 6, my still green, still growing, winter rye plot can't be beat, and in a long narrow strip you will get every deer in the neighborhood on camera. A cheap, easy to plant, allopathic, quick to grow in the spring for weed suppression, a winter rye food plot has no equal in late February and early March, and is always on my list to plant right around Labor day.

 

[MarkDarvin]

Cut down a big birch tree after you're done hunting. Works as good as a pile of corn and lasts a long damn time.

 

[MarkDarvin]

Did I kill this thread?

I thought this was a really good idea. And unlike most of my suggestions, I actually have done this.

 

[catscratch]

Did I kill this thread?

I thought this was a really good idea. And unlike most of my suggestions, I actually have done this.

You didn't kill the thread... I just don't have any birch trees!

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