Nothing changes deer movement and patterns more than hunting pressure. Not food, not the rut and not the weather. When you hunt early in the season, before a sea of gun hunters spook deer, you’ll often see them grazing in fields, even on hot, 90-degree days. The same phenomenon occurs late in the season on fields that were never hunted during the season — deer return to open spaces earlier in the day as if the hunting season never started. To maximize your chances of tagging your first, and possibly best, deer this year, focus on hunting early in the season when pressure is minimal. Here are some tips for picking the best spots for your tree stands:

Work the Edges

In the first days of the season, deer are more likely to step into open fields and feed late in the afternoon, particularly in agricultural areas. Agricultural fields are at their peak nutritional value just prior to harvest. Scout out fields of soybean, alfalfa, cut corn and even peanuts. Scout where deer enter the fields, particularly well-worn trails used by bachelor groups of bucks. Considering prevailing wind patterns, set your stand up 25 to 30 yards downwind from the most used trails from the woods.

Hang your stand midday (or at night) when you’re less likely to spook anything from the field that will associate you with hunting (and thus danger) and don’t go traipsing around the woods as deer are likely to be bedded not too far in the woods. This could present your first and best chance to connect on a wall hanger, particularly if you’ve scouted properly and patterned a giant coming to the field at the same time and same place every day. Field stands are best suited for afternoon hunts.

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Water When It’s Hot

Deer get thirsty in hot weather, just like we do. If you find an isolated pond with cover around it, you’ve found a likely spot for deer activity. Look for deer tracks and well-used trails along the water’s edge. Set up a stand nearby or, if there are no trees, consider using a pop-up blind. These spots work well for both morning and evening hunts.

If your land has a creek or streams instead of a pond, look for worn crossings along the bank or spots where the bank levels down toward the water to form a shelf mere inches above the water line. Deer will cross at these spots and stop to drink presenting you with a good standing, and hopefully broadside, shot. Set up your stand where you can take advantage of these natural watering spots. 

Mast Matters 

In years when acorns are plentiful, deer will prioritize feeding on them over fields. White oak acorns, in particular, provide the protein deer need for the rut and winter. If acorns are abundant, find a stand of white oaks or a ridge covered in oaks, especially near bedding cover. These areas are ideal for morning hunts when deer are returning to their bedding areas after feeding.

Do note that pinpointing exactly where to set up when acorns are dropping all over can be a challenge. If possible, find a stand of white oaks or an oak flat atop a ridge top where deer will travel. Set your stand there. The closer thick, bedding cover is, or a thick edge of younger trees are, the more apt you will be to catch deer moving among the oaks and within range of your bow or even gun when gun season opens.

Hit these areas in the morning as deer return to bedding areas for the day. In the South, where pines tend to dominate the landscape, a lot of oaks are left standing to mark boundaries. Find one dropping acorns amidst the surrounding pines and you can guarantee a visit morning or evening from deer on the move. 

Creekside Highways for Tree Stands

Streamside management zones (SMZs) or tree-lined creeks in cutover areas serve as natural corridors for deer. These areas provide cover for deer as they move through otherwise open terrain. Set up stands along these creek corridors, especially at intersections with other creeks or tree lines. Bucks will continue to use these corridors during the rut as they search for does.

These spots can be productive throughout the season for both morning and evening hunts. Find one of these SMZs that winds its way between ag fields and deep cover, and you can access these spots morning or evening for equal success. They are particularly productive in the first couple years after trees are cut down on a tract of land. The water in the creeks or streams these run along provide a double attractant for deer on the move when the weather is warmer. 

Top Tree Stands and Blind Choices 

Ladder Stand: Guide Gear 20′ 2-Man Ladder Tree Stands   

This 20-foot ladder stand is designed for two hunters, providing a spacious and sturdy platform. It’s ideal for hunting with a partner or for those who want extra room while maintaining an elevated, and easy-to-climb, view of the terrain.

$280 Buy It Here 

Climbing Tree Stands: Summit Viper SD

Lightweight, quiet and easy to set up, this climbing stand is perfect for mobile hunters who like to stay flexible in their stand locations. It provides both comfort and concealment.

$330 Buy It Here 

Lock-On Tree Stands Stand: Muddy Boss XL Hang-on

The Muddy Boss XL features a wide 25-in. x 34-in. platform with a fixed footrest and a spacious flip-back Flex-Tek seat for all-day comfort. Its packable design makes it easy to transport and set up, while the included safety harness ensures a secure hunt.

$95 Buy It Here 

Pop-Up Blind: Ameristep Caretaker Ground Blind  

This affordable, compact ground blind is perfect for two hunters, but easily and quietly set up by one who needs to create a stand location in an area where suitable trees for a tree stand simply won’t work or where low midstory would create too few shooting lanes. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry and offers excellent concealment.

$110 Buy It Here

Read more about deer stands on iSportsmanUSA.