How To: Cut trails to channel deer movements

Wade Bourne, host of Wade's World Hunting at MyOutDoorTV, shows you how to create a "path of least resistance" for deer this season. Let's face it: deer can be pretty stupid. With a little leg work, you can trick your deer into going exactly where you want them. Hunting your prey will be a snap!

When traveling from one place to another in their home range, deer will often take the path of least resistance, and this habit can work to a hunter's advantage.

For instance, before hunting season starts, hunters can cut paths through thickets and overgrown areas that deer traverse. It won't take long (a couple of days) for deer to discover and get used to a new trail and to become comfortable using it.

Now, such trails should be routed to pass in close proximity to the hunter's treestand sites. On opening day a hunter in a stand overlooking such a trail will have a high percentage chance of bagging a deer walking on the trail. Usually the deer will be at ease and confident of their security, owing to the fact that they're surrounded by thick cover. They will be unhurried, unaware and unconcerned as they walk the trail, making them easy targets for hunters watching from stand sites nearby.