Expert Tips For Midwestern Whitetail Hunting: Part 3 (MI & IN)

2021 Edition for Michigan and Indiana

Written by Todd Sellon

Edited by Tyler Wolf

Each whitetail state follows a general set of rules. However, due to natural variations, strategy modification strategy is a must. Habitat and other external factors play a significant factor in whitetail behavior. Topography, climate, forage, herd health and behavior, weather trends, and more are necessary considerations. And what better way to study up for a hunt than learning from an experienced local hunter? Below is a tailored guide to hunting in the Michigan and Indiana region.

Below are a few areas of focus when planning a hunt in Michigan or Indiana:

Behavior

Within the Michigan hunting community, the consensus is that the deer population in their state tends to be overly nervous. It’s not scientifically proven, but the hubbub is that years of over-hunting and general hunting pressure result in more cautious deer than typical whitetails. Additionally, the Michigan DNR has recently relaxed its policies, adjusting antlerless limits and buck harvest limitations to control the spread of CWD.

Bucks will travel in bachelor groups until the rut when they tend to prefer independent movements.

In the early season, bucks typically travel in bachelor groups. If you see one buck, chances are they have a buddy with them. In Michigan, they often travel in smaller than regular groups and avoid any cohabitation with antlerless deer. However, when the rut hits, they follow general buck behavior and become completely independent. In Indiana, on the other hand, they travel in larger groups of mostly antlerless deer with a buck or two scattered amongst them. Moreover, Indiana deer seem to be less acutely cautious. They appear less nervous of movement and alarming scents.

Patterning

Patterning is key to your success. To assist with this, find the food sources deer use in the early season and take diligent notes. They will typically be found roaming the same food source when the rut hits. Baiting is not allowed in Michigan or Indiana, but if you are planting a food plot, you must make sure what you are growing is native to your hunting areas, such as soybeans, corn, or alfalfa. A food plot planted in sugar beets, turnips, and carrots will go unutilized, as deer will generally avoid that plot. Unnatural food sources tend to make a deer extra wary of the environment, making your chance of harvesting a big buck exponentially harder.

Scent Control

Use nature to cover up your scent. Many hunters use a barrage of scent elimination products to reduce the impact of their scent. These products include soaps, sprays, detergent, ozone, mouthwash, and more. Coupled with a diligent scent avoidance routine that starts with a shower and ends with dressing in the field, hunters like to think that deer can’t smell them. However, no matter how good your routine is or how highly rated the scent elimination product is, deer are more than capable of smelling danger if they approach from downwind. Getting busted is significantly more likely if the deer approaching is mature. They didn’t reach old age by blindly walking into foreign smells.

Trick deer and cover your scent by smearing the soles of your boots with a local stand of crab apples.

Instead, try leveraging a cover scent that mirrors, or stems from, the surrounding environment. For example, if your hunting spot is full of apple trees, step on fell apples and smear the scent on the soles of your boots. In that environment, deer are used to the smell of apples. If you’re lucky, deer will follow the scent if it’s a food source like apples. Another example is to walk through freshly fertilized crops. Deer in Michigan and Indiana are used to the smell of cow manure, and by walking through them, the natural scent permeates your vicinity. Of course, the best approach is to hunt the wind. If you can pattern the deer successfully, plan an approach and tree stand location that uses it to your advantage.

Stand Placement

Stand placement and height is crucial. 20 to 25 feet above the ground is an ideal height. Deer are less likely to see you that high up in the tree, especially if you’re not concealed. If you set up at 10 to 15 feet high, deer are more likely to pick you out. Deer are suspicious of changes in the environment, and the lack of height only makes them more aware of something new.

Of course, concealment is a factor. If you are hidden well, most deer will not see you. But, mature deer seem to have an innate ability to know that something isn’t quite right. Plus, movement at this height is a dead giveaway, as deer will most likely stop and try to pick you out. Even if they don’t run away, their guard is up, making it difficult to get a clean shot. However, if you plan to set your stand less than 20 feet up, consider using a fill-in when you’re not in the stand. The consistent presence will help the deer become accustomed to something being in the tree. A silhouette or a mannequin will do the trick.

Michigan ground blinds are a long game. Deer are naturally leery of a newly placed blind, and it could be next season before they become fully accustomed to it. As they get used to its presence and become more comfortable around it, the blind will be more productive. Regardless, you must be patient with a ground blind. In Indiana, on the other hand, deer tend to respond less to ground blinds. A freshly placed blind in the middle of a cornfield, sans concealment, might not attract as much attention. The deer may simply ignore the new addition and continue with their standard patterns.

Summary

Michigan and Indiana offer great whitetail hunting opportunities. However, before you head off to middle America, be sure to take the time necessary and research the playing field. Herd behavior can vary significantly from one corner of America to the other.

Good luck and stay obsessed!