Planning Your Deer Habitat for Hunting Success: Tips for Months Ahead

Deer hunting success doesn't happen by chance. It takes careful planning and preparation, especially when it comes to managing your deer habitat. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting out, taking a proactive approach to habitat planning can increase your chances of a successful hunt.

But how DO you plan ahead for deer habitat management? The key is to think ahead (we at Terps recommend 3-6 months ahead), and focus on the specific needs of the deer at different times of the year. For example:

September - Plan for Spring Growth: Plant cover crops or food plots in areas where deer are known to feed. Consider planting clover, oats, or winter wheat in areas that will provide a reliable food source for deer during the spring months. Just be careful not to plant too much spring or summer food. Too many does and fawns will accumulate around the food, and you may pressure the bucks away.

February - Clear Trail Camera Sites and Tree Stand Shooting Lines: February is a great time to clear out any brush or debris around potential trail camera sites to ensure a clear view of deer activity. Bare branches are much easier to clear, and you will also avoid disturbing most songbird nests. Clearing your trail camera sites

April - Manage Habitat Growth: Focus on managing habitat growth by clearing out overgrown areas or trimming back brush that can impede deer movement. This will help create open areas for deer to feed and travel, and improve your chances of spotting and hunting them. Maybe hang a few mock scrapes to nudge the deer in the direction of your tree stands and trail cameras?

May - Scout for Buck Sign: Hunting season starts in 4 months. Where are the bucks?? In most cases, the bucks move around to summer locations after the rut (breeding season). So you may have a hard time finding bucks anywhere on your land in May. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be there in the Fall! Since the deer aren’t scared by hunting at this time of year, now is a good time to check for buck sign around your land. Look for places where the tree bark has been rubbed off by antlers. Look for bare patches of dirt along a deer path (that’s called a scrape). All of these things will be evident in May, and will give you clues for hunting season. The last thing you want to do is wait until September to look for these signs… and chase all of the bucks away.

June - Plan for Fall Food Sources: In June, start thinking about fall food sources and plan to plant crops like brassicas, turnips, or clover in areas where deer are known to feed. These crops will provide a reliable food source for deer during the fall months, and attract them to your hunting area.

September - Plan for Winter Food Sources: Consider using a soil test to determine the best crops to plant for your soil type and location. Research the types of winter food sources you would like to plant. Maybe go with a brassica mix, and overseed with winter rye? While we caution you against planting spring and summer food, it is really important to try to plant winter food for your herd.

By planning ahead and managing your deer habitat throughout the year, you can increase your chances of a successful hunt. Whether you're planting food plots, clearing out overgrown areas, or scouting for buck sign, taking a proactive approach to habitat management can help you attract more deer to your hunting area and increase your chances of a successful hunt.

Managing your deer habitat for hunting success requires planning and preparation. By thinking ahead and focusing on the specific needs of deer at different times of the year, you can create a reliable food source, clear out overgrown areas, and scout for buck sign to improve your chances of a successful hunt. Start planning now for a successful hunting season.