A practical checklist for 1–50 acre landowners. Print it out, walk your property, and check off each item.
Food Sources
Plant a 0.25–1 acre food plot in a secluded location (clover, brassicas, or chicory)
Best planted 6–8 weeks before first frost for fall attraction
Identify and protect existing mast-producing trees (oaks, persimmons, crabapples)
Clear competing brush within 15 ft of trunk to improve production
Plant 3–5 fruit or mast trees (sawtooth oak, American plum, pear) in open edges
Install a mineral lick (25 lb block or loose minerals) near known travel corridors
Position 50–100 yards from bedding; check local regulations first
Map all food sources on your property — note seasonal availability (spring green-up, fall mast drop)
Cover & Bedding Areas
Identify at least one south-facing slope or ridge for bedding (warm, sheltered, good sightlines)
Deer bed with the wind at their back and a view downhill
Create a thicket area by hinge-cutting 10–20 trees (4–8 inch diameter) to form a 0.5–1 acre bedding zone
Target the leeward side of ridges or field corners
Plant native grasses or switchgrass in 0.25+ acre blocks along field edges for thermal cover
Establish a no-entry sanctuary (minimum 2 acres) — strictly off-limits during season
Leave downed logs and brush piles — they provide thermal cover and fawn protection
Water Sources
Locate every reliable water source within 500 yards of your property boundary
If no natural water exists, install a 100–300 gallon watering tank in a shaded location
Black poly tanks hold temp well; position near travel corridors not bedding
Check that water sources remain accessible during summer drought and winter freeze
Create a shallow seep or pond (even a 10×10 ft depression) if terrain allows — attracts multiple species
Travel Corridors & Funnels
Walk the property perimeter and map existing deer trails with flags or GPS
Identify 1–2 natural funnels (fence crossings, creek pinch-points, saddles between ridges)
Create a 10–15 ft wide screening strip of native shrubs or cedars along field edges to guide deer movement
Install at least one trail camera on a major travel corridor — review monthly to pattern movement
Keep interior access paths 8 ft or less to minimize disturbance and wind contamination
Hunting Access & Stand Placement
Establish 2–3 stand sites with multiple wind options — never hunt a stand in the wrong wind
Clear entry/exit paths so you can access stands without bumping bedding areas
Position stands 20–25 yards from travel corridors, not directly on them
Trim shooting lanes (remove branches within 30 yards) before season — no cutting mid-season
Plan recovery routes that minimize dragging through core bedding areas
Pressure Management
Talk to neighboring landowners — coordinate season dates and sanctuary zones if possible
Limit property intrusions to 2–3 times per season outside of hunting (trail cam checks, maintenance)
Keep dogs out of bedding areas and sanctuary zones year-round
Avoid hunting the same stand more than 2 consecutive sits — rotate to maintain surprise
Quick-start priority for small acreage (<10 acres):
Focus on one quality bedding thicket + one food source + one water source within 200 yards of each other. Small properties succeed through low pressure and tight habitat concentration — not trying to do everything at once.