FAKE TRAIL A GOOD STRATEGY?

[RETARMY06]

Okay, scenario. There are about a dozen persimmon trees in one small area, which should be ripe in about a month or so. The area they are in has pines and small oaks of several species (turkey, bluejack mostly, whites have no acorns)that the deer eat year-round. But here's the problem - there is no "one trail" coming into the area. There are no barriers to stop the deer from coming from all directions. Nothing so thick that they can't come through quiet and easy. Thus there are meandering footprints all through this sandy area.

So, I made a "fake trail" coming from the shady, bigger timber adjacent to the area. It takes the path of least resistance (what little resistance there is in this area) and doesn't seem too man-made, just a little faster and more quiet for them to get straight to the persimmons.

My ground blind is near but not right next to the persimmons, for safety reasons, since I'm near a water processing facility. Also I figure they would be less nervous fast-footing it down my trail (or even staging until dark) than eating and looking out for danger at the same time.

My plan is the deer get used to seeing my blind (well camoflaged) and the new trail about the time the persimmons are ripe. Of course I'm not returning to the blind until they are ripe, so I won't scare them away and ruin the area.

So - does a fake trail just to concentrate them in a tighter area make sense? Anyone have any luck with this type of strategy?

[ChuckC]

Is it your property or a property that JUST you hunts ?

How large is the area ?

An option is to get a bale of cord, like baling string (hehe) and make yourself a multi-strand fence around the whole parcel with a few entryways.  It SOUNDS good anyway.

ChuckC

[akbowbender]

I'd think it would work great!

Good luck, and make sure report back with you kill pics!

[Atennishu]

It works,   have done that before,  last year we had a power company come through our lease and clear away an easement through some really thick stuff, and the deer use it like a highway now,

[KentuckyTJ]

Oh yeah, I have run barbed wire, use downed trees and other stuff to funnel deer. Hunt smarter not harder.

[Tony Z]

Works well for me. Brush piles, downed tree limbs and opening up a hole in a stone wall all to funnel deer.Do it ASAP so the deer start using it. Good luck. TonyZ.

[KSdan]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Oh yeah, I have run barbed wire, use downed trees and other stuff to funnel deer. Hunt smarter not harder.

Agree for sure.  I have funneled deer, blocked trails, created new trails by dragging branches while clearing leaves, etc.  Even altered trails to "position" deer for the shot.

[Roadkill]

Col
Fake trails that go in the general directions deer want to go work.  Find a licking branch or a new scrape to relocate near your trail to add a new aspect.  Worked at LeJeune
Skip
Marine retd

[deertag]

has worked for me too. usually very thick where i hunt though with few good climbing trees, so i cut the trail early(mid summer) to pass close to the tree, sometimes I sweeten the trail to get them using it. (i drop a handfull of corn every few yards down a new trail for a few weeks to get them interested)
david

[LB_hntr]

yep will work great if you give them the best option.
I use dead branches etc that i find laying around to make other trails to difficult for them to use to help funnel them to the trail i need them on.

[onewhohasfun]

I know some guys that use old lawn mowers to make trails in front of their stands. It has worked for them.

[Caughtandhobble]

The trail will work great for you. If you would like to add to the trail and success, try fertilizer stakes on the trees that you would like to concentrate on.

[RETARMY06]

It's a military post (basically public land for all who meet the requirements) so I can't build a fence.
There is one 10 feet high barbed wire fence built already running the whole length of the persimmons, so that is one less direction they can come from. I did put a few logs here and there to encourage them to stay on the trail. Even if they cut a few corners the spot running past my blind is funneled pretty tight.

The only thing I didn't do is spray some doe urine to get the ball rolling - I forgot it at home. It rained later that night anyway, so it's probably money saved.

I'm sure they will find the trail soon, and hopefully use it. But those persimmons like to grow in open areas, so nothing is so thick that the deer can't get through from any direction if they take their time. I just made an express lane for them.

The best part is the odds are slim that any humans will find the trail. Everyone uses tree stands, and the only pine trees big enough would have the hunter hanging where everyone coming down the road and working at the water plant would be watching them. I'm guessing nobody likes an audience, but you can't see my blind unless you're 20 yards or so away, and really looking for it to begin with.

So come on cold weather! Ripen up those persimmons!

[Bill Carlsen]

I once cut a trail thru a swampy area to get to some high ground without having to sound like a moose coming thru. It was only about 3-4 feet wide and wet in areas. The NEXT MORNING it was turned into a rub line. The trail was about 100 yards long and every 10-15 yards was a rub. They like man made trails.

[Roadkill]

I had a swampy creek that the deer used to like to travel along.  I needed them on my side.  hard to describe, but here goes:  I took a long sting and worked my way across the thicket.  Tied up one end on a stout tree.  Went back and pulled the string hard to the right and tied it off to another stout tree on that side of the swamp.  Then revesrsed the actiion. picture a part in the high weeds and swamp trees held apart by the strings.  The deer found it convenient to cross the swampy creek at my location, just under my tree stand.  unfortunately my NC and SC tactics do not work on mulies here in NV.  find a fresh scrape and carefully shovel up the dirt and place it on your side of the new cut, and you will have visitors!

[Burnsie]

I remembering reading a couple different things by the Wenzel bros.  where they selectively lay branches or large rocks or alter fence crossings such that they gently steer the deer to where they want them.  If it works for them,  then there's something to it.

[Easykeeper]

Originally posted by onewhohasfun:
I know some guys that use old lawn mowers to make trails in front of their stands. It has worked for them.

A few years back I started mowing walking trails through the back of my place with my pasture mower.  It's about 30 acres that is basically fallow pasture or what you might call prairie; chest high grass with an occasional oak tree.  My intent was to minimize my scent as I walked through and to keep the beggar's lice off my wool bibs.  The deer ended up using the trails more than I did.

So, yes I think it can work.

[Knawbone]

Good subject- good thread, Making trails ( very narrow) through extremely thick brush and bramble creating easy pathways can become a top notch hunting spot. Building natural blinds in these areas may be your only option, but can be constructed quickly with the flora cut from the trails. Creating a hub of trails from 2 or 3 directions with a ground blind down wind from the prevailing wind direction at the intersection of these trails can be a top notch producer.
   I have just such an area located this year that is being used as a sanctuary by at least one buck, and I'm sure more, once the chase phase of the rut kicks in. The overgrown field I speak of is only a couple three acres in size and is not only a bedding area, but is in a funnel for contacting Does in the area. Iv' always wanted to hunt this spot and now I can. Creating trails now with a blind or two should pay off with high probability. Yes, creating trails can be a deadly set up to say the least. Good luck with your season.

[Slickhead]

deer like the path of least resistance
Go for it!

[Bobby Urban]

Think of whitetails like water - undisturbed they flow with the least resistance.  I have been making trails that span from slightly noticeable by clipping a few twigs and things to the wonderful tool called Round Up - I spray the high weeds and let nature do its thing.  Even if it is lightly better than the surroundings 80% or so of the deer will wander right down it.  I have just used good ole boot tracks in deep snow and have had deer follow the fresh tracks I laid walking to the stand in snow.  They like to conserve energy