The existence and value of deer trails have been a known quantity for a long time. After all, it’s simple, right? These trails show where deer traverse on a regular basis. The newer the sign found on the trail, the more often deer are using it. While these are accurate assumptions, they don’t’ tell you everything you need to know and certainly don’t typically result in a booner on the den wall. In fact, many of us discover at times that despite game planning around travel corridors, we can go a long time without seeing deer or at least a shooter buck.
What Gives?
I’m no expert, but have found that the common mistake hunters make (myself included) with regard to trails lies in how they approach them. Whitetail travel corridors should be treated with care – much like a sanctuary. I’ve found that hunters can get carried away with the gift of a well-used trail and fail to address wind direction or get curious and follow it. The temptation can be great. Believe me, I know.
Going Beyond the (Really) Obvious
It’s academic that deer trails and funnels are important variables when seeking whitetails. Therefore, one should treat them accordingly. If you plan to walk the trails, do so in the off-season. Set up
blinds and stands early and get all the commotion over with. In this way, they can become comfortable in the area in advance of hunting season. This also gives them the chance to get accustomed to a new structure in the landscape. Try to place your stand in a position that allows you to see the deer coming from at least some distance. There’s no reason to be caught off guard if it can be avoided. Of course, take into account the basics such as morning and evening sun, prevailing wind direction and minimizing sound and movement.
Using Trails to Your Advantage
Perhaps the biggest problem isn’t mismanaging trails, but overlooking them altogether. It’s not uncommon to take them for granted. Some such paths have been on your hunting property so long that they become an afterthought. Take time to carefully walk them in the off-season. Better yet, look for other ones. New travel lines are created all of the time and it’s good to know where they are. For example, this allows you to see where different trails intersect. These areas are great areas for still hunting. Finding deer crossings at fence lines also provides valuable information. It’s good to know where some of your free-range deer are coming from – not to mention what neighbors are seeing some of the deer you are pursuing. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as you’re being courteous and legal. I place this firmly in the strategizing category.
Trail Blazing and Altering
What do you do when one or more of the variables such as prevailing wind direction aren’t in your favor when hunting deer trails? In this situation, consider creating a man-made funnel. Alter the direction of the trail with brush piles or fallen trees. Conversely, clean up the path that you wish them to pass through. I always look a few years back when a couple of huge trees fell across a grain field fence. It didn’t take two weeks for deer to alter their daily path into the field, using it for cover. 
They continue to use it this way today – to their advantage. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t do the same. Though not man-made, this mammoth brush pile has paid dividends when patterning deer.
You can also create new paths and pinch points altogether. Cut a path through super thick brush. This can be done with hand loppers and bow saws, mowers and trimmers all the way up to a Bobcat or bulldozer. Whatever the case, a little behavior modification for whitetails might just result in venison in the freezer and an eventual wall hanger. It should go without saying that path enhancement and creation should be done sooner rather than later with regard to hunting season.
Remember that in its simplest form, a funnel in the hunting world is any path where deer movement can be bottlenecked enough to present a manageable shot – especially for bow hunting. Also, thoughts of funnels usually result in an image of the love-sick slob of a buck cruising during the rut. However, these areas can be optimal hunting locations for the entire season. Either way, when hunting trails, even the playing field and put as many variables in your favor as you can. Capitalize on the path more travelled.
