Quick Answer
Yes, use attractants during early season to increase visibility and drive deer during daylight hours.
Early Season Deer Patterns
During early season, deer are more likely to be active during daylight hours due to the availability of food sources. This creates an ideal situation for using attractants to draw deer into a drive. Attractants such as corn, soybeans, and fruit can be used to create a scent trail that leads deer towards the drive area.
Drive Set-Up and Technique
When setting up a drive, it’s essential to consider the wind direction and deer patterns. For early season drives, a north-south or east-west setup is often more effective than a diagonal setup. This allows the wind to carry the scent of the attractant directly to the deer, increasing the likelihood of a successful drive. A 1:10 to 1:15 ratio of hunters to drive area is a good starting point, with each hunter positioned at least 20 yards apart to avoid spooking deer.
Post-Hunt Analysis and Improvement
After each drive, it’s crucial to analyze the results to identify areas for improvement. This includes reviewing the effectiveness of the attractant, the positioning of the hunters, and the overall deer movement. By adjusting these factors, you can refine your drive technique and increase the success rate of your early season hunts. For example, if deer are consistently bypassing the drive area, it may be necessary to relocate the attractant or adjust the wind direction to improve the scent trail.
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