The Farmer Is Cutting the Crops Will This Mess Up Deer Hunting?

West Michigan farmers are beginning to harvest their corn, soybean, and other crops but will this affect bow hunters trying to bag a big old buck?

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October Crop Harvest

Farmers have a job to do in October and November in Michigan and that is to harvest their crops. Many hunters like to hunt near those crops because game animals like to eat those crops.

My farmer showed up late last night to drop off two tractors to cut the corn down in both of my fields. I'm glad he is at least cutting the corn while I'm not hunting but a part of me doesn't want that corn to come down.

The main reason I don't like the corn cut down is that it's a food source and I'm a bow hunter who is hunting that food source. The other reason is that the uncut cornfields also will hold deer and block the site of me getting in or out of my hunting spots.

So Will Cutting the Corn Help or Wreck My Bow Hunting?

I have experienced great hunting after a cornfield or soybean field first gets cut. For the first few days after the farmer hauls his crops away, deer movement has usually been on fire.

The sudden change in habitat can force deer to move around more as they first discover the corn is gone and while looking for the next food source for their daily travels from food to bedding areas. Unfortunately, deer will often bed in cornfields while they are up but when they are down the deer need to move to another location.

If you can hunt while the farmer is actually cutting the corn, you may be surprised at what you see leaving the corn. Some big bucks can be harvested around this time.

If you have good woods near a cut cornfield, it is excellent to hunt those woods because you will see a lot of deer movement as the deer are sorting their new patterns out.

Deer will hit those cut corn and soybean fields hard to try to get all those missed kernels and beans before the snow hits and they have to dig for them. I usually get more deer activity on my trail cameras as well.

I know we hunters hate to see those goldmine cornfields and soybean fields cut for the season but the good news is it only makes the deer hunting better. So get out in the woods while the farmer is cutting the field you hunt or the next couple of days after will be great hunting. I look forward to this weekend.