Marcel,

Getting deer to do something they normally would not do can be difficult.

I think you are on the right track using corn to attract them. Also, putting in small food plots on your side of the brook may help the deer decide to cross the brook.

Food plots will work exceptionally well when the deer’s normal food sources are low. For example, a drought period causing the normal grasses and forage deer usually eat to dry and not grow, will force deer to seek out different food sources.

In the summer and early fall, deer prefer to eat green vegetation as it is usually high in protein and other nutrients deer need. This is where your food plot comes to play.

If your area experiences drought, make sure you water the food plot regularly. This will keep the oats and alfalfa green and lush. Seeing the green vegetation, deer may decide to cross onto your side of the brook.

With any food plot, it is also important to keep the protein level as high as possible by regularly mowing the food plot.

Every six to eight weeks mow the food plot to a height of four inches. This is especially important with alfalfa and clovers. Mowing keeps the stems smaller and promotes thicker growth of the plants.

Deer generally do not eat the stems of oat plants. The exception to this is when the oats are still very young and range in size from 1 inch shoots to six inch tall plants. If the oats are allowed to grow to full maturity, the plants will dry and brown. Deer love the dried oats and will clean the oats off the stems.

 Food Plot Secret 

Here is what I would do in your situation. It is a secret to help steer deer to a specific location using a food plot.

Plant a food plot in the shape of a funnel. The food plot edge that is closest to the brook will become the narrow end of the funnel, or point. As you move back closer to your house, the funnel shape will widen.

Once deer cross and begin feeding at the point end of your funnel they will, in most cases, follow the funnel back and feed in the wider section.

 Deer Patterns Change with the Seasons 

One possible reason you are not seeing deer tracks now is that the deer in your area may be moving into their spring/summer patterns.

I have watched deer on my deer hunting land. They have different areas for each season.

In the spring of the year, deer on my deer hunting land seek the thick undergrowth near swamps.

As summer heat increases, deer will search for the coolest part of the forest to escape the heat. This area is usually near a good water source.

In the early fall I see deer frequenting the wood edges and more open terrain. Their bedding areas are closer to good food sources this time of the year.

In winter months deer seek yarding areas. A yarding area is a place where many deer congregate at one time.

Yarding areas are usually found in very dense forest or areas offering deer protection from winter winds. Often times, yarding areas are close to good winter food sources.

Although deer patterns change with the seasons, the areas deer occupy year long may overlap. The main difference is that the areas deer bed and spend the majority of their time will be different with each season.  

 Calling Deer 

Calling deer too much or with calls which are “out of season” may confuse the deer.

You’ve called in early spring with a lost fawn call. In early spring, does are pregnant and her fawns from last spring are nearly grown.

As does become closer to having their new fawns, usually end of May to mid-June, they seek thickets or heathers to deliver. As delivery time grows closer, does will also chase their year old fawns away.

It could be does are not responding to the lost fawn call because they are actually kicking their last year fawns away to give birth shortly.

I think you are moving in the right direction to get the deer to cross your brook. Using corn and food plots is a great idea. For now while does are delivering, put your deer calls away.

After you start seeing newborn fawns, try to use the lost fawn bleat again. You may get a more positive reaction from the deer in your area.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com